Graduates of the course will receive a certificate of completion from a provincially recognized independent school association and be invited to attend further professional development sessions designed especially for cutting-edge leadership development that independent school principals need while juggling the many demands of running a school and a business!

Graduates will also have access to individual consulting services available on a wide range of school challenges - governance, human resources, policy development, financial wellness and marketing.

Applicants should be brand new school administrators or school administrators looking to enrich their leadership. It's also great for department heads and those looking to open their own independent schools.

Summer 2010 participants - practicum project outlines are due now! Instructor liaisons will be assigned after September 7 - final projects will be presented on November 25

Spring 2011 - April 6,7,8 & May 11,12,13 - Location TBA
**REGISTRATION OPENS** - September 1st 2010
**REGISTRATION CLOSES** - December 31 2010
($500 - Non-refundable deposit due at time of application)

Summer 2012 - July 9-13 - Location TBA
**REGISTRATION OPENS** - September 1st 2011
**REGISTRATION CLOSES** - December 31 2011
($500 - Non-refundable deposit due at time of application

Course Cost -
$1600 OFIS Members
$3200 Non-Members
*includes all course materials, books & resources & daily refreshments (includes lunch)
**application form contains payment plan options

*Courses will only run with a minimum of 10 participants - so register early to ensure participation in the course of your choice.

Click Here! - Principals' Course Outline & Schedule

Click Here! - For Course Application Form

Click Here! - For Course Practicum Outline

Barbara Bierman - B. A., B. Ed - Executive Director of the Ontario Federation of Independent Schools. She has provided leadership in schools for nearly 20 years as a teacher in both public and private schools in both Canada and the US. She has been an organizing force behind Parents For Educational Choice, an online parent support group. She has spent the last 10 years providing strategic planning, governance, capital campaign and policy development support and resources to Christian Schools through the Ontario Alliance of Christian Schools.

Dino D’Amato, B.A., M.Ed, is the Vice Principal at Richmond Hill Montessori & Elementary Private School. He was a Project Manager for the development of the school’s policy and guidelines and curriculum from 2000-2003. He is the Vice President and Director of Independent Schools of York Region Sci - Tech, a committee partnered with Seneca College to promote science learning throughout the region. Dino sits on the Ontario Federation of Independent Schools’ (OFIS) Strategic Planning Committee. Dino is a graduate of the Independent School Principal;s Course, 2005, and presented in 2006 in the area of Advertising/Promotion/Marketing as well as doing a workshop on Risk Management for other graduates.

Annette Minutillo - Annette joined the Braemar House School community in June of 2002 as the Executive Director, assuming all administrative responsibility for the charitable, not-for-profit school. She completed OFIS' Independent School Principal's Course in August 2005 and is a member of the OFIS Board of Directors. Annette helped found and is now Past-Chair of the Family Literacy Committee of Brant, founded and now chairs the Brant Independent School Association (BISA), and sits on the Brant Chamber of Commerce Education Committee .

Dave Bird - Dave is a certified Ontario Principal, and Treasurer of both the Ontario Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and of Spectra - Partners in Specialized Education. He's also the Principal of Pinehurst School in St. Catharines, Ontario and a qualified St. John Ambulance 1st Aid / CPR instructor.

Angeline Sarabura - Angeline is the chair of the OFIS Professional Development Sub-Committee and a member of the OFIS Board. Angeline is the founder and principal of The Gregory School in Brantford, a school that specializes in innovating programming for students with autism and other learning needs.

Anita Gonzalez, Richmond Hill Montessori
Being a new principal the course opened up many areas of information to me. After my first week as principal in the fall I felt very confident in my new role. The course was of great value. The lecturers were informative and the experiences shared between the principals were great.

Adel Taghdi, Abraar School, Ottawa
My first impression was to thank God our school is not alone. Other schools are struggling with similar issues. The material exceeded my expectations. Each presenter was distinct yet they complemented one another. They made a strong and balanced team.

Gary Cheong, Royal Academia Independent School
I had a great experience at the course. I learned something every day that would significantly improve our school. The course helps you run your school better, makes you aware of the potential pitfalls and will also increase your retention and enrollment. I believe this course is a must for all independent school principals.

Enza Pelligrini, Montessori School of Kleinberg
The course met and surpassed my expectations of an affordable and meaningful program where I learned valuable information and met resourceful people in a supportive learning environment. It is refreshing and rejuvenating to have a course that solidifies and cares about the importance of creating great schools and ensuring that the quality in which such schools present their information is done so in a legal and excellent manner. The group discussions of practical scenarios added flavour and flair to the day.