Institute Leaders Cohort - Charter Institute at Erskine

Institute Leaders Cohort

The Institute launched the innovative Institute Leadership Cohort in 2023 to strengthen academic outcomes, ensure a strong pipeline of school leadership, and develop international networks after noticing patterns of leadership turnover and ineffective professional development within the charter school sector.

The cohort includes 40 principals, assistant principals, lead teachers, and Board members engaged in consistent professional development focused on instructional and cultural excellence. Participants attend regular in-person professional development opportunities and visit the highest-performing schools of choice both within the U.S. and internationally to examine systems, policies, and practices that drive student achievement. Beyond simply fostering individual growth, the program has transformed a previously siloed and autonomous group of principals into a professional learning community collaborating to improve outcomes for children and advance the school choice sector.

The cohort's statewide impact

Institute schools who participate in the Institute Leaders Cohort statistically outperform non-cohort schools within the district. 85% of the annual Academic Showcase awards and bonuses have been awarded to Institute Cohort schools.

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explore

"We visited some of England’s top-performing charter schools, learning about their teaching methods, best practices, and strategies for boosting student achievement. Our teachers exchanged invaluable ideas with English school leaders to enhance student learning across various subjects."

David Crook

The Heron Institute

"We visited four high-performing charter schools in the New Orleans area, each breaking records in student proficiency and growth. From arts-integrated elementary campuses to a collegiate academy model, each school radiated the kind of bold purpose and execution that turns possibility into reality."

Julianne Lang

Lowcountry Leadership Charter School

Outcomes

Schools that have been in the Institute portfolio since 2019 and /or have had a member of the Cohort have seen:

Increase in Schools Achieving Excellent Rating

30 %

Increase in Schools Achieving Good Rating

300 %

Increase in Schools Achieving Average Rating

0 %

Decrease in Schools Achieving Below Average Rating

0 %

Decrease in Schools Achieving Unsatisfactory Rating

0 %

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