Dialogue Vanderbilt and Pine Crest School hosted more than 100 school leaders, educators and students from across the country at the second annual Open Dialogue Collaborative Summit. Representing 15 independent schools, participants gathered Sept. 27-28, 2026, at Vanderbilt University to exchange ideas, share promising practices and explore how to make free expression and constructive dialogue a foundational part of students' educational experience.
From boarding and day schools to single-sex and coeducational institutions, participating schools brought a range of perspectives and experiences, united by a shared commitment to preparing students to engage thoughtfully across differences.
"A transformative education requires students to engage in civil discourse, explore different ideas through argument and fact-based reasoning, and treat one another with respect," said Vanderbilt University Chancellor Daniel Diermeier. "By bringing independent high schools and their students together through the Open Dialogue Collaborative Summit, we can begin developing these habits before students arrive on college campuses and help prepare the next generation to carry them forward."
In its second year, the Open Dialogue Collaborative is building a national network of independent schools committed to strengthening free expression, civil discourse and open inquiry. Through workshops, case studies and collaborative discussions, participating schools shared how they are putting these principles into practice, exchanged promising approaches and explored ways to integrate dialogue more deeply into curriculum and campus culture.
"We are deeply grateful to Chancellor Diermeier and the Dialogue Vanderbilt team for partnering with us to convene independent school leaders and explore complex issues through the lens of shared values and intellectual curiosity," said Dana Markham, president of Pine Crest School. "Watching high school students engage throughout the summit with humility and care gives us tremendous hope. They are the future leaders our world needs, reminding us of the power of every conversation and the profound good that becomes possible when we choose connection over division."
Students played an active role throughout the summit, participating in dedicated programming alongside members of the Dialogue Vanderbilt Student Advisory Board. While school leaders and faculty explored strategies for incorporating civil discourse into their schools, students connected with peers from across the country, shared perspectives and considered how they could help foster constructive dialogue within their own communities. "Take advantage of all the opportunities there, don't be shy with people from other schools, and don't be afraid to speak your mind," said Jai Das, a student at Woodward Academy.
"The Open Dialogue Collaborative Summit was transformative. It offered practical, intentional teaching strategies that have the potential to change the culture of constructive conversation in our schools," said Susan Meador, faculty member at University School of Nashville. "I especially appreciated hearing from Vanderbilt University and Pine Crest School faculty and students who are already doing this important work. I left feeling inspired and hopeful that I can bring what I learned back to my own school and help build a culture where constructive dialogue becomes second nature, even across differences."
The summit concluded with school teams identifying next steps for applying ideas and practices within their communities. Building on its first two gatherings, the collaborative will continue connecting participating schools and supporting the exchange of resources and approaches beyond the annual summit.
Together, Dialogue Vanderbilt, Pine Crest School and other participating schools are working toward a shared goal: making the habits of constructive dialogue a foundational part of students' educational experiences, empowering them to engage thoughtfully across differences in their school communities today and carry those habits into college and beyond.
ABOUT DIALOGUE VANDERBILT
Dialogue Vanderbilt is a campus-wide initiative putting into practice Vanderbilt's enduring commitment to free expression and civil discourse while serving as a catalyst and connector for better conversations.
Fueled by a commitment to collaboration, Dialogue Vanderbilt works with students, faculty and administrators to provide tools and programs that support respectful, thoughtful conversations across differences and on any topic, helping students develop habits of dialogue, debate and deliberation.
