IASB Summit on Student Success

The Power of Belonging

Wednesday, June 11, 2025, 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
FFA Enrichment Center, Ankeny

Register Now

It’s all about the students! Student success is at the forefront for every board member in Iowa, and our students are the reason 1,845 volunteers serve on their local school boards.

Join us for IASB's 3rd annual Summit on Student Success! This year's theme, The Power of Belonging, focuses on the vital role of creating a supportive and connected school environment.

School board members play a vital role in creating a sense of belonging that makes every student feel valued, engaged, and connected—key factors in improving attendance and overall success. Since attendance is the first step toward student achievement, fostering these connections is more important than ever. This June, we’ll examine how belonging impacts student success and explore how schools are building environments where students feel supported, connected, and truly at home.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn how we can work together to make a positive impact! The agenda for this event is now available!

View Agenda

Thank you to Frontline Analytics for sponsoring this year's Summit on Student Success!



 

Interactive Keynoter Workshop

Board Members to a "T"—Lead, Inspire & Transform

Wrap up the Summit with an energizing, hands-on experience led by keynote speaker Stephen Sroka! In this dynamic 90-minute workshop, board members will connect with each other to dive into The Power of Belonging—reflecting on their crucial role in shaping school environments where every student feels valued and supported.

Get ready to participate in Stephen’s Board Members to a "T" exercise—a fun, interactive, and eye-opening technique designed to strengthen relationship-building, partnerships, and leadership skills.

This isn’t just another workshop—it’s a high-energy, motivational experience that will equip you with real strategies to lead with Purpose, Passion, Pride, and Persistence. Don’t miss this unforgettable closing session!

 

Breakout Sessions

Each 60-minute breakout session will highlight Iowa school districts that are fostering a sense of belonging and driving student success. These sessions are designed to:

• Expand understanding of key issues impacting student learning and well-being.
• Provide real tools and solutions that board members can implement.
• Explore big-picture strategies around leadership, policy, and student support.
• Equip attendees with a concrete action plan to bring these ideas to life in their districts.

Attendees will chose from engaging breakout sessions that offer practical takeaways and real-world success stories for timely and relevant issues. Sessions include:

Building Belonging Through School Branding Campaigns

Dubuque Schools & Bondurant-Farrar Schools

A strong sense of belonging is a key factor in student success, and school boards play a vital role in fostering that connection. This panel discussion will feature two districts that have led the charge creating a welcoming environment, strengthening community pride, and boosting student engagement through the successful implementation of school branding campaigns.

Attendees will learn:

• How school branding goes beyond logos and colors to shape culture and identity.
• Strategies for launching effective campaigns that inspire students to show up and stay engaged.
• The board’s role in championing these efforts and supporting district-wide implementation.

Panelists will share their challenges, strategies, and results, providing practical takeaways that board members can bring back to their own districts. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insights and inspiration to help every student feel seen, valued, and connected.

Creative Spaces, Connected Students—The Vital Role of Fine Arts Programming in Our Schools

Creston Schools, Central Springs Schools & Iowa Alliance for Arts Education

The opportunity to be involved in fine arts programs at school is essential to creating community and a sense of belonging for kids across Iowa. Board members, staff, and students at Creston Community Schools, Central Springs Community Schools, and Iowa Alliance for Arts Education will come together to share how districts across the state ensure access to high-quality fine arts programming for all students. Attendees will hear about the board's role in creating a culture where all students can thrive in fine arts programs, develop an understanding that high-quality fine arts programs for kids are always possible, and hear directly from students how access to fine arts programs helped them feel valued, engaged, and connected at school!

Iowa BIG North's Authentic Classroom—The Power of Belonging & Serving Communities

Iowa BIG North & New Hampton Schools

Iowa BIG North (Business Innovation Group) is a groundbreaking initiative by the New Hampton and Turkey Valley school districts that transforms education through student-driven, community-partnered, problem-based, authentic learning experiences. As part of the high school curriculum, students collaborate with community partners, peers, and educators to identify and solve real challenges facing businesses, organizations, communities, and schools. By engaging in authentic, problem-based learning, students gain valuable skills, develop deep learning competencies, and experience education in a meaningful, hands-on way.

Join this session to hear from former students, district leaders, and community partners about the impact of this collaborative approach. Discover how Iowa BIG North is not only helping all students develop a sense of belonging, but also strengthening local communities and driving economic development.

From the Board Table to the Classroom—Keeping the Focus on Student Learning

Winterset Schools

How much time do you spend talking about student learning at your board meetings? In Winterset, they are changing the learning experiences for their students by keeping student learning front and center at the board table! Their commitment to engaging and empowering staff to create memorable moments and authentic learning experiences is a team effort. Don't miss this opportunity to hear how Winterset connects the work from the board table to the classroom. Guided by their community-developed strategic directions and Profile of a Graduate, they are creating powerful learning experiences for their students. With their continued focus, Winterset's board-superintendent team is finding ways to leverage resources in support of their strategic priorities.

Capturing Kids Hearts—Seeing, Hearing & Empowering our Staff & Students

Clinton Schools

"If you have a child's heart, you have a child's mind." Relationships are the foundation of schools where students feel connected, safe, and supported. Join us as Clinton Community Schools share the real-world impact of Capturing Kids' Hearts, a transformational process that puts students at the heart of school culture. They'll share the unique experiences of two schools, highlighting how this program has created a space where everyone feels valued. Don't miss your chance to hear how Clinton has created and cultivated a collaborative environment where students are part of the solution and teachers are equipped to celebrate every success, big or small.

 

Five Reasons to Attend

• Develop leadership informed by the knowledge that ALL students can learn, and more IS possible.
• Recognize that you CAN and DO make a difference in student learning.
• Foster innovation and collaboration between school boards across Iowa.
• Leverage your board member role to improve student learning.
• Explore pathways to student success and discover promising initiatives for improved student learning.