5th Annual National Hybrid Schools Conference

Sign-up is officially open for the 5th Annual National Hybrid Schools Conference, and we’re so glad to invite you to join us in Atlanta, GA on April 23–25, 2026. This year’s conference brings renewed energy, fresh ideas, and an elevated experience designed to spark meaningful connection and practical learning. Whether you’ve joined us before or this will be your first time, expect an engaging, forward-looking event that brings together leaders, builders, and innovators shaping the future of hybrid education.

*Hybrid Schools Society Members - please see HSS email or Mighty Networks Group for discount code. Email shughe41@kennesaw.edu for more information on becoming a member.

*IMPORTANT: Please DO NOT complete this sign-up form if you applied for a Travel Grant. You will receive additional instructions for registration.

2026 Sign-up Fees

  • HSS Members: $75 – email Susan Hughes at shughe41@kennesaw.edu to join
  • Non-HSS Members: $100
  • After March 13, sign-up rates will increase to $100 for HSS members and $125 for non-HSS members.
  • New this year: After April 2, LATE sign-up rate will be $150 for everyone.

Sign-up!

Supporters & Exhibitors

Secure your spot today as a supporter or exhibitor at the event. Please visit our supporter/exhibitor page for more information.

The deadline to sign up as a conference supporter or exhibitor is April 4.

2026 National Hybrid Schools Conference Exhibitors

AERO – Alternative Education Resource Organization

American Federation for Children

Kennesaw State University – National Hybrid Schools Project/Hybrid Schools Society

Learn4Life.org

Mercer University – Tift College of Education

Unlock Math

Thank You to Our 2026 Supporters

 

Platinum

Stand Together Trust logo

 

 

 

Gold

Ed Choice 30 Years Logo

 

 

 

Silver

Vela Logo

 

What to Expect for 2026?

Last year, we tried something new by extending the length of the conference—and we loved how it gave us more time to connect, reflect, and learn together. Based on that experience, we’re keeping the expanded format and building on it with even more opportunities for meaningful engagement. This year, you can expect additional breakout sessions, including thoughtfully curated panel discussions and hands-on workshops designed to be more interactive.

Here’s a  quick look at how the days will unfold:

  • Thursday, April 23: Evening Welcome Reception and exhibitors to kick things off.
  • Friday, April 24: A full day of panel discussions, interactive workshops, exhibitor breaks, and an inspiring keynote speaker to start the day.
  • Saturday, April 25: A half day of panels and workshops, including a closing keynote to send you home energized and encouraged.

Get ready for dynamic sessions, meaningful conversations, and fresh ways to learn alongside fellow educators and experts. We love how this conference keeps growing—and we can’t wait to experience it with you.

Sign-up Here!

Tentative Agenda

Thursday, April 23, 2026

Time Program
5:00pm-8:00pm Registration Open
6:00pm-8:00pm Welcome Reception & Exhibitors

Friday, April 24, 2026

Time Program
7:30am-8:30am Breakfast & Exhibitors
8:30am-9:00am Welcome Remarks - Keynote Speaker
9:00am-9:30am Networking & Exhibitor Break
9:30am-10:30am Breakout Session #1 - (6 options)
10:30am-11:00am Networking & Exhibitor Break
11:00am-12:00pm Breakout Session #2 - (6 options)
12:00pm-1:30pm Lunch & Keynote Speaker
1:30pm-2:00pm Networking & Exhibitor Break
2:00pm-3:00pm Breakout Session #3 - (6 options)
3:00pm-3:30pm Networking & Exhibitor Break
3:30pm-4:30pm Breakout Session #4 - (6 options)

Saturday, April 25, 2026

Time Program
7:30am-8:30am Breakfast & Exhibitors
8:30am-9:00am Keynote Speaker
9:00am-9:30am Awards Ceremony / Sponsor Remarks
9:30am-10:30am Breakout Session #1 - (6 options)
10:30am-11:00am Networking & Exhibitor Break
11:00am-12:00pm Breakout Session #2 - (6 options)

Current Speakers

  • Cletis Allen - CLETIS Education Consulting
  • Victoria Andrews - Getting Smart
  • Michael Bindas - Institute for Justice
  • Tiffany Blassingame - The Ferguson School
  • Jill  Brown - Columbia Academy for Learning and Enrichment (CALE)
  • Hunter Burnett - Memoria Press
  • Christine Carlson - KaiPod Learning
  • Gene  Clark - DDWK Travel
  • Caleb Collier - The Forest School/The Institute for Self Directed Learning
  • Mary Cox - CORE Butte Charter School
  • Dr. Danielle Davis - Vanderbilt University
  • David DeLugas - National Association of Parents, Inc. dba ParentsUSA
  • Heather DiNino - Elements Academy
  • Bob Donaldson - Wilson Hill Academy
  • Valery Dragon - UnboundEd
  • Sylvia Duarte - St. John Bosco Academy, Cumming, GA
  • Emory Edwards - EdChoice
  • Lasharn Ferroudj - Putting Education First
  • Rachel Figg - Spark Schooling
  • Ellen Finnigan - Founder of Teach to the Text
  • John Foster - Middle School MBA
  • Toni Frallicciardi - Surf, Skate, Science
  • Sebastian Garren - St John Paul II Preparatory School & Center for Educational Progress
  • Dr. Shameka Gerald - The Liminal Lab
  • Crystal Goins - Heartwise Scholars Inc.
  • Debi Gooding - The Learning Choice Academy
  • Matt Gore - KaiPod Learning
  • Mercedes Grant - Path of Life Learning
  • Sarah Hairston - Columbia Academy for Learning and Enrichment (CALE)
  • Jill Haskins - Kainos Microschool
  • Dr. Kathleen Hermsmeyer - Springs Charter School
    Candice Hilton - Hilton Horizons Academy
  • Elmarie Hyman - Learn Beyond The Book, LLC
  • Deborah Irwin - Designed with a Purpose
  • Ben Jackson - MARS Microschool
  • Isaac Jackson - MARS Microschool
  • Brian Jensen - Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Schools (ACS-WASC)
  • Dr. Toni Johnson - TheraBotechs
  • Darren Jones - Home School Legal Defense Association
  • Jessica Kaminski - Math with Purpose
  • Ali Kaufman - Space of Mind
  • Jo Ann Kilpatrick - Outschool
  • Emily Klein - Cognia
  • Amar Kumar - KaiPod Learning
  • Ellie Kyles - Soar Academy Augusta
  • Matthew Ladner - Heritage Foundation
  • Adam Lavallee - Associate Vice President, Next Generation Accreditation Middle States Association
  • Sarah Lavezzo - Scholé Center for Innovative Education
  • Matt Lee - School Choice Lab, Kennesaw State University
  • Denise Lever - Baker Creek Academy
  • KEYNOTE SPEAKER (SATURDAY) Terry Loe - Kennesaw State University 
  • Amanda Lucas - Lucas Literacy Lab
  • Sharon Masinelli - St. John the Baptist Hybrid School
  • Eleah McClamb - The Forest School: An Acton Academy/Story Arts
  • Charles McGill - McGill Microschool of Entrepreneurship
  • Mimi Mena - The Learning Hive Homeschool Hybrid
  • Renee Miller - Colorado Homeschool Enrichment
  • KEYNOTE SPEAKER (FRIDAY) Coi Marie Morefield - Founder, The Lab School of Memphis and Education Reimagined
  • Lauren Morris - The Forest School: An Acton Academy/Story Arts
  • Sam Naab - St. John the Baptist Hybrid School
  • Matthew Nielsen - Educational Freedom Institute
  • Cassie Olguin - Outschool
  • Adam Peshek - Stand Together
  • Genevieve Peterson - A One-Room Schoolhouse
  • Matthew Poetzinger - Stand Together
  • Cynthia Rachel - IEM Charter Schools
  • Katie Ratlief - Common Sense Institute
  • Shiren Rattigan - Colossal Academy
  • KEYNOTE SPEAKER (FRIDAY) - Gerard Robinson - University of Virginia
  • Emily Ryan - Samana International Academy
  • Lynn Sanders - The King's Academy
  • Michele Shearin - Trinity Homeschool Academy
  • Melissa Shipman - Learnwell Collective
  • Aleksandra Spangler - MARS Microschool
  • Nicole Stewart - National Association of Black Microschool Leaders
  • Lynn Swanson - Stand Together
  • Tiffany Thenor - WonderHere
  • John Thompson - National Hybrid Schools Project, Kennesaw State University
  • Nancy Tilton - ALC Mosaic
  • Lana Toler - The Forest School: An Acton Academy/Story Arts
  • Luba Vangelova - The Hub Microschool
  • Eric Wearne - National Hybrid Schools Project, Kennesaw State University
  • Bethany Weir - Designed with a Purpose
  • Becky Wilmoth - Non-Profit Education Solutions
  • Jennifer Wolverton - Microcollective for AI, Robotics, and the Sciences (MARS Microschool)
  • Logan Wolverton - MARS Microschool
  • Lauren Yacht - Scholé Center for Innovative Education
  • Sarai Zyzniewski - Our School Hangout

Professional Headshots for Participants

After such great feedback last year, we’re excited to offer professional headshots for participants again this year—at no additional cost. It’s a perfect chance to update your LinkedIn profile, website, or just walk away with a polished new photo. Swing by, step in front of the camera, and let us help you refresh your professional image.

Sign-Up Genius - Coming Soon! 

Hotel Information

We’ve secured a special discounted room block at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel & Conference Center. The room rate is $189/night (plus taxes & fees), with discounted parking at $10/daily or $20/overnight for those in the group block.

Deadline to book your hotel at the discounted rate is Friday, April 2, 2026.

Reserve Your Hotel Room Here!

Travel Support Application

If you need assistance with travel expenses, we encourage you to apply for a travel grant. The deadline to apply is February 13, 2026. Applicants will be notified of their award status by late February, 2026, and you will receive additional information for signing up. Grant funds will be disbursed after the conference.

We are no longer accepting Travel Grant Applications at this time.

*IMPORTANT: If you are applying for travel support, please DO NOT sign-up for the conference until after you are notified by late February of any travel support awarded. You will receive additional instructions at that time.

2026 Exhibitors

American Federation for Children

Kennesaw State University – National Hybrid Schools Project/Hybrid Schools Society

Learn4Life.org

Mercer University – Tift College of Education

Our School Hangout

Prism: Learning Made Visible

Unlock Math

Galleries from Previous Years

You can explore the 2025 agenda and session summaries, featuring impactful topics, inspiring speakers, and opportunities for connection—all focused on advancing hybrid education.