SCHout Conference 2026

11th ANNUAL DIVERSITY conference

Constellation of Us:

RISE, RESIST, REACH FOR THE STARS

On Saturday, January 31, 2026, SCH Academy welcomed more than 200 high school and mature eighth-grade students from dozens of schools across the Philadelphia region for our annual SCHout Diversity Conference. Now in its 11th year, this student-led experience continues to grow and inspire, building on more than a decade of youth leadership and community building.

Throughout the day, attendees heard keynote reflections, participated in a story exchange designed to cultivate radical empathy, and engaged in dynamic social action workshops led by our 45 student facilitators.

SCHout 2026

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Constellation of Us: Rise, Resist, Reach for the Stars

Each year, our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council, SCH Academy’s most committed student DEI leaders, chooses a theme for SCHout. The 2026 theme, Constellation of Us: Rise, Resist, Reach for the Stars, celebrated the power of community, courage, and imagination. Our incredible Student Facilitators worked hard to design workshops, performances, and conversations that reflect this vision and spark meaningful dialogue.

2026 Keynote speaker | Torrey Smith

Two-Time Super Bowl Champion, Philanthropist, Entrepreneur, Broadcaster, Youth Coach

Torrey Smith established himself as a leader both on and off the field during his decorated eight-year NFL career (Baltimore, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Carolina). The Ravens drafted Smith in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft after a stellar career at nearby University of Maryland.

The Smiths created their non-profit as soon as they arrived in Baltimore. Their nonprofit, LEVEL82 (Leadership, Education, Vision, Effort, Love), harnesses the power of collaboration to create safe spaces, provide resources, and empower families to reach their full potential. LEVEL82 serves people of all ages through academic support, athletics, enrichment activities, and social services. In addition to delivering direct programming, the organization partners with grassroots organizations to strengthen communities and advance equity.

Through the LEVEL82 youth football program, Smith trains and coaches youth in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. In addition to coaching youth 7-on-7 football and tackle football, Smith has been a Wide Receivers Coach for the Under Armour All-America Game for the past five years.

Smith currently co-hosts the Ravens Pre-Game home social shows, WJZ Baltimore’s Purple Playbook Show, hosts WJZ Baltimore’s Community MVP, and Trending Thoughts Podcast.

Torrey Smith

Two-Time Super Bowl Champion, Philanthropist, Entrepreneur, Broadcaster,
Youth Coach

Speaker & Bio

Mr. Maxime Sinal | Professional Development Speaker

Topic: "Reimagining the Constellation: Belonging in Practice"

Speaker Bio: Maxime Sinal has dedicated his career to fostering belonging and equity in independent schools. He currently serves as the Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (SCH) and is completing his doctoral dissertation in Education, Culture, and Society at Rutgers University, focusing on the experiences of Black educators in independent schools as a lens for supporting all teachers in building inclusive and thriving classrooms.

At SCH, Maxime has rolled out employee affinity spaces, initiated conversations around parent affinity spaces, and collaborated with the Diversity Leadership Team to support colleagues and students across divisions. He has also led sessions on topics such as LGBTQ+ issues: Identity, Power, and Belonging; supporting neurodiverse students; equitable recruitment and retention; and addressing bias, providing tangible tools and strategies for faculty, staff, and administrators.

Before stepping into senior leadership at SCH, Maxime served as the DEIB Coordinator and English Department Chair at The Wardlaw + Hartridge School, where he helped build inclusive programming and led curricular innovation in grades 6–12. For nine years, he facilitated for the National Association of Independent Schools’ Student Diversity Leadership Conference and has presented at independent schools and conferences nationwide.

In recognition of his research and leadership, Maxime was named a 2025 David L. Clark Scholar. This prestigious seminar, sponsored by the University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA), the American Educational Research Association (AERA), and SAGE Publications, brings together the nation’s most promising educational leadership and policy doctoral students for advanced collaboration, professional development, and mentorship.

He is also a member of the planning committee for The Glasgow Group’s Roots to Routes conference, taking place in January 2026.

Maxime Sinal
Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (SCH Academy)

Session Overview

This year’s professional development session, “Reimagining the Constellation: Belonging in Practice,” builds on our conference theme, Constellation of Us: Rise, Resist, Reach for the Stars. The session centers belonging as both collective leadership and daily practice, a framework for equity that connects every member of our community.

Our shared goal is to ensure that every student, colleague, and community member feels seen, cared for, and connected in every space they encounter, from classrooms and hallways to offices, studios, athletic fields, and dining spaces.

The session will include:

Interactive reflection and discussion (11:15 AM-12:45 PM)
- Explore how everyday moments such as rituals, greetings, affirmations, and shared experiences can strengthen belonging and resist exclusion.
- Engage with real scenarios to practice strategies that promote equity through connection, curiosity, and care.
- Newer educators will build foundational belonging practices, while experienced colleagues will deepen and refine approaches that influence systems and culture.
Community lunch and networking (12:45-1:30 PM)
- Enjoy lunch with colleagues and continue building connections across divisions and departments.
- Optional: Student-athletes and coaches are invited to attend the special session with Torrey Smith in the gym, focused on leadership, teamwork, and community impact.
- Those remaining will continue informal conversation over lunch before resuming the hands-on planning portion. Lunch will be provided for all participants.
Hands-on planning and collaboration (1:30-2:30 PM)
- Develop one or two tailored strategies or routines to bring back to your classroom, team, or workspace.
- Receive feedback and support to refine and sustain your plans.

Participants will leave with:

A deeper understanding of belonging as a catalyst for equity and inclusion.
Practical and adaptable strategies for fostering belonging across all roles and relationships.
Stronger connections with colleagues and a clearer sense of collective responsibility.
Clear, actionable next steps to implement this semester.

This session reflects our shared commitment to rise with courage, resist inequity, and reach for a collective future where every person’s light strengthens the constellation of our community.

2026 Social Action Workshops

Thank you to all SCH student facilitators who designed these Social Action Workshops for SCHout 2026!

Scroll and click to read about the 2026 Social Action Workshops, conceived and designed by Springside Chestnut Hill Academy’s Student Facilitators, leading the workshops for the 11th Annual SCHout Conference, Constellation of Us: Rise, Resist, Reach for the Stars.

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