CATALYST 2027: The National Paideia Student Conference

CATALYST 2027: The Inaugural National Paideia Center Student-Led Conference
March 1–2, 2027 | Chattanooga School for the Arts & Sciences (CSAS), Chattanooga, TN

Theme: Beyond the Circle: Paideia for Life, Work, and Teams
In Paideia classrooms, students learn to think together in seminars, and then put that thinking to work through coached projects, where they collaborate, solve problems, and create something real. Listening closely, asking good questions, disagreeing respectfully, building ideas together, and following through as a team are the same skills that make great teammates, colleagues, and leaders. CATALYST 2027 explores how the Paideia experience, from the seminar circle to the project table, carries beyond the classroom into work, teams, and everyday life.

Join Paideia students from across the country for two days of student-led seminars, breakout sessions, and a keynote. Students will build leadership skills through hands-on training in seminar facilitation and by leading sessions and seminars of their own. They’ll also connect with peers from other Paideia schools, hear from Paideia alumni about how seminar skills show up in college and careers, and participate in Paideia seminars alongside students from CSAS. CATALYST 2027 is hosted by the National Paideia Center and is open to students and educators from Paideia schools.

How registration works
This page reserves spots with a $20 non-refundable deposit per attendee. Choose one ticket for each person attending. You’ll be asked for each attendee’s details at checkout. Your deposit is credited toward your total, and the remaining balance will be invoiced to your school after registration closes, due February 15, 2027.

Registration rates

• Students: $220
• Chaperones: $220 (each school receives one free chaperone once it registers 5 students; select “Complimentary Chaperone” for that person)
• Presenting students: $150
• Adults (non-chaperone): $600, including PD credits, seminars, lunch both days, and the adult panel
• Paideia alumni: $100, including the alumni lunch panel on day 2 and an optional seminar

Lunch is included both days for all registrants.

Scholars’ Guild members receive $20 off registration, applied to your balance invoice. Membership is not required to attend, and students presenting at CATALYST must be Guild members. Join the National Paideia Scholars’ Guild →

Key dates

• Session proposals due: December 18, 2026
• Deposits due: January 31, 2027
• Registration closes: February 1, 2027
• Balance due: February 15, 2027

Want your students to present? How has Paideia shaped the way you work on a team, lead a project, or tackle a real problem? Submit a proposal for a 30–45 minute student-led session connected to this year’s theme by December 18, 2026. Students with accepted proposals receive the Presenting rate. Proposal form link →

Paying by purchase order or check? Contact Holly@paideia.org and we’ll send an invoice.

Questions? Email Holly@paideia.org or Jeremy@paideia.org.