A new generation of leadership for a new era of education

NISL NEXT is a bold evolution of the National Institute for School and System Leadership’s flagship work, designed for education leaders who are ready to move beyond managing today’s challenges and toward shaping what comes next.

Grounded in global evidence, NISL NEXT blends personal leadership development with applied systems design. Leaders build the clarity, courage, and capability to lead transformation by aligning purpose with action and vision with execution.

NISL NEXT is offered in two distinct pathways, each tailored to the unique role and reach of today’s leaders.

NISL NEXT for School Leaders

Designing schools where every learner thrives

Today’s principals are more than operational managers. They are designers of learning environments, culture builders, and champions of student success. NISL NEXT for School Leaders empowers principals to lead with clarity and purpose while building high-performing schools prepared for today’s realities and tomorrow’s possibilities.

What Leaders Experience

A transformational journey across three integrated courses.

Signature Learning Features

  • Action Learning Projects rooted in real school challenges

  • Mixed-reality leadership simulations

  • AI-enhanced coaching and feedback

  • Futures thinking and scenario planning

  • A national peer network of school leaders

Impact Over Time

  • Short-term: Clear vision, strengthened team culture, and shared leadership

  • Mid-term: Learner-centered designs, stronger instruction, and elevated student voice

  • Long-term: Future-ready schools with sustainable systems and collective efficacy

NISL NEXT for System Leaders

Leading bold transformation at scale

Superintendents today must do more than oversee systems. They must reimagine them. NISL NEXT for System Leaders equips superintendents and senior leaders to design and deliver future-ready education systems where all students can thrive.

This experience integrates deep personal leadership work with rigorous systems design, preparing leaders to anticipate change, build coherence, and lead transformation at scale.

What Leaders Experience

A powerful journey across three connected courses.

Discover Your Leadership Core Leaders deepen self-awareness, define their leadership purpose, and explore five core energies that anchor resilient, values-driven leadership. Design High-Performing Systems Using global benchmarks and system diagnostics, leaders design student-centered systems by reimagining central office roles, leadership pipelines, learning pathways, and board partnerships. Deliver a Transformed Learning Experience Leaders apply strategic foresight, governance tools, and change leadership practices to scale innovation and sustain impact across the system.

Signature Learning Features

  • Mixed-reality simulations focused on governance, communications, and stakeholder engagement

  • Futures thinking and scenario planning

  • AI-enhanced learning and feedback tools

  • A national peer network of system leaders

  • A living Leadership Portfolio that connects personal growth to district strategy

Impact Over Time

  • Short-term: Clear vision, stronger governance, and aligned leadership teams

  • Mid-term: Piloted innovations, expanded access, and integrated workforce insights

  • Long-term: Coherent, future-ready systems that sustain equity and excellence

One Program. Two Pathways. Shared Purpose.

NISL NEXT meets leaders where they are and challenges them to go further. Whether leading a school or an entire system, participants emerge better equipped to design learning environments and systems that are adaptive, inclusive, and built to last.

Audience(s)
District and school-level leaders

Duration
16 non-consecutive days of cohort-based learning

Delivery Method 
Hybrid: in-person and virtual

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