K-12 Summer Conference

A Classical Education Conference for Hillsdale Member Schools

As educators, it’s important to develop our craft and get involved with a community of others doing the same important work. It can be difficult to find time during the school year to rekindle the love of learning. That is why each summer, the Hillsdale College K-12 Education Office hosts the K-12 Summer Conference for teachers, leaders, and administrative staff from Hillsdale Member Schools. Educators gather on our beautiful Michigan campus for an energizing time of learning with and from each other.

The conference features topics that are intended to renew in educators the same wonder and love of learning that they encourage in their students in the classroom every day. Whether you are new to teaching at a Hillsdale Member School or an experienced educator, you’ll find new ideas, discover unique solutions to challenges, and foster friendships with a network of peers you can lean on throughout the school year ahead.

The conference sessions, activities, lodging, and dining are provided at no cost and are exclusive to Hillsdale Member School educators.

Details from the 2024 Summer Conference can be found below. The 2025 Summer Conference will take place on June 15-26.

10

Days

300+

Sessions

900+

Attendees

The K-12 Summer Conference offers of 300+ sessions across 10 days so that every teacher and administrator can focus on the topics they are interested in. Some sessions from past conferences include:

Making Literature Student's Favorite Class
Ways to Engage Students in Science Outside the Classroom
Pedagogy of Foreign Languages
The Revolutions of 1989 and German Unification
Kinesiology: Principles of Motor Learning
DIY Drypoint Printmaking
How to Delegate Effectively

Case Studies in School Security
How to Build a College Counseling Program from Scratch
Introduction to Plate Tectonics
Asking Great Questions in Math
Effective Literacy Practice
Poetry Memorization & Recitation

June 15, 2025 - June 26, 2025

Regular Session

Session 1: Upper School

Sunday, June 15 - Thursday, June 19

Upper School (7-12): subject area teachers; student services teachers; paras, aides, and teachers assistants [of these grade levels]
K-12 Art, Music, P.E., Foreign Language, Latin: subject area teachers; student services teachers; paras, aides, and teachers assistants [of these subjects for all grade levels]
College counselors
Athletic directors

Session 2: Leadership Team

Thursday, June 19 - Sunday, June 22

Members of the leadership team: heads of school, assistant heads, deans, coaches that have a role in observing and providing feedback to teachers and have been deemed members of the leadership team by the head of school
Office staff

Session 3: Lower School

Sunday, June 22 - Thursday, June 26

Grammar School (K-6): grade level teachers; student services teachers; paras, aides, teachers assistants [of these grade levels]

New Hire Track

Session 1: Grades 7-12, Co-curricular

Sunday, June 15 - Thursday, June 19

New Hire 7-12 Teachers
New Hire Co-curricular Teachers
Topics covered: American Classical Education,
The Classical Classroom, subject-specific curriculum and instruction, Composition (7-8th)

Session 2: Grades K-2

Sunday, June 15 - Sunday, June 22

New Hire K-2 Teachers
Topics covered: American Classical Education,
The Classical Classroom, Curriculum and Instruction for: Literacy, Math, Science, and History

Session 3: Grades 3-6

Sunday, June 15 - Thursday, June 26

New Hire 3-6 Teachers
Topies covered: American Classical Education,
The Classical Classroom, Curriculum and Instruction for: Literacy, Grammar, Composition, Math, Science, and History

Featured Speakers

We have teachers, school leaders, K-12 Education Office staff, Hillsdale College professors, and special guests giving presentations at Summer Conference. A complete list of speakers will be available soon!