Professional Learning

Our two-day Grade 9 and Postsecondary Symposiums are information-rich, hands-on, and action-oriented gatherings. Whether you are new to RISE or onboarding new team members, these two-day events can spark or re-energize school efforts to promote on-track achievement and postsecondary access.

Grade 9 Symposium

The Grade 9 Symposium is a 2-day professional learning experience designed to support school teams in building and refining strategies and school structures to promote 9th-grade success. Schools are encouraged to send a team of at least four educators to the event to support shared learning and planning (including an administrator overseeing Grade 9 and a teacher/counselor lead). Many Symposium schools also join the Freshman Focus Network for yearlong coaching and implementation support after the Symposium. Learn more about this year’s Grade 9 Symposium on June 25-26, 2025!

Postsecondary Symposium

Modeled after RISE’s Grade 9 Summer Symposium, this 2-day professional learning gathering will support school and district teams in pursuing increased college and career readiness and access for their students. Whole-group and breakout sessions will introduce research and data, expose attendees to promising practices for building postsecondary culture and supporting effective postsecondary planning, and provide facilitated time for teams to plan. Schools are encouraged to send a team of at least four educators to the Postsecondary Symposium, including administrators, counselors, and others who work on postsecondary-focused programming. The inaugural event will take place in Connecticut in October 2025. Fill out this form to learn more!