Learning Forward Academy

Solve your biggest challenges.

Transform yourself and your organization.

Get results for ALL students.

The Learning Forward Academy is Learning Forward’s flagship deep learning experience. With a rich history that spans 20 years, the Academy has supported the problem-based learning of teachers, teacher-leaders, instructional coaches, principals, regional leaders, superintendents, and others whose jobs involve supporting the learning of other adults and students.

When you join the Academy, your learning journey is no longer a solo experience. Instead, you will spend 2 ½ years working with expert coaches and practitioners from around the world as you construct knowledge, improve your practice, create better learning conditions for your colleagues, and improve results for your students.

Is the Academy right for you?

The Academy is custom-built for each participant or team to match your needs.

Are you ready to:

Construct knowledge and develop strategies to overcome challenges and improve educator practice?
Become the professional learning subject-matter expert for your organization?
Implement professional learning in your environment that ultimately increases student achievement?
Engage fully during learning sessions and do the job-embedded homework?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, Learning Forward's Academy is right for you.

Benefits to Academy participants

Share 2 1/2 years of learning with educators from around the world;
Experience 12 face-to-face, team-based learning days for in-depth instruction and to build relationships and foster community;
Attend two Learning Forward Annual Conferences on us and be inspired by, and network with, industry experts and peers;
Participate and collaborate by phone and virtually to extend learning and for continuous process improvement;
Receive ongoing support from an experienced coach who is also an Academy graduate;
Gain access to resources, relationships and real results with a complimentary Learning Forward membership for three years—to advance your professional learning journey; and
Celebrate successful completion with a formal graduation at Learning Forward's Annual Conference.

Dates and tuition rates for the next Academy cohort, the Class of 2022

Tuition for the next Learning Forward Academy cohort is $4120 for the 2 1/2 year program includes 12 learning days (continental breakfast and lunch provided), telephone and web-based discussions, access to experienced coaches, registration for two Annual Conferences, a formal graduation upon completion, and a three-year membership in Learning Forward. Academy members are responsible for their own travel and lodging costs during the Academy meetings.

Academy Class of 2022 team-based community learning days and graduation will be:

Session One: July 17-19, 2020, Minneapolis, MN
Session Two: Dec. 4–6, 2020 at our Annual Conference in Chicago, IL (annual conference registration included for Dec. 7-9)
Session Three: July 2021, location TBD
Session Four: Dec. 3-5, 2021, at our Annual Conference in Denver, CO (annual conference registration included for Dec. 6-8)
Session Five/Graduation: Dec. 4, 2022, at our Annual Conference in Nashville, TN

If you have any questions, please contact Kristin Buehrig at kristin.buehrig@learningforward.org or 972-421-0900.

Apply before March 16

What are others saying about their Academy experience?

The Academy afforded the opportunity to solve an authentic problem of practice in my workplace. Collaborating with coaches and Academy colleagues, I designed a customized learning plan connected with my daily work, learned how to use evaluation tools to measure educator and student outcomes and became a staunch advocate for professional learning. Most importantly, the relationships developed within the Academy, a deliberately diverse group, fostered a knowledge and idea exchange that built our social capital. — Dawn Wilson

See what other past participants are saying