Applications Open for Eagle Rock’s Fifth Changemaker Cohort

If you’ve ever dreamed of reimagining what’s possible in schools, of creating learning environments where equity, belonging, and engagement aren’t just words but lived experiences, this is your moment.

Eagle Rock School and Professional Development Center (PDC) is now recruiting for its Fifth Changemaker Cohort, launching February 16–20, 2026. This national program brings together teams of students and educators who are passionate about making real, lasting change in their schools and communities.

What’s the Changemaker Cohort?

The Changemaker Cohort is a one-of-a-kind professional development experience that pairs one student and one adult from the same school or organization as co-leaders in the work of school transformation. Over the course of a year, teams dive into:

• Immersive learning: Hands-on workshops, thoughtful discussions, and applied practice led by expert facilitators.
   
• Collaboration: A national network of schools committed to advancing equity and student engagement.
   
• Action projects: Each team designs and launches a project tailored to its school’s unique needs—with coaching and support from Eagle Rock PDC.
   
• Youth–adult partnership: At the heart of it all is the belief that real change happens when young people and adults lead together.

As Eagle Rock puts it:

“This program is about reimagining what’s possible in schools. By partnering students and educators as co-leaders, we’re cultivating the skills, courage, and community needed to disrupt inequities and create schools where every young person thrives.”

What We’re Looking For

To be part of the Fifth Cohort, pairs should be:

• A student–educator team from the same school or organization.
   
• With the student not graduating before February 2027.
   
• Committed to adult–student partnership, as well as learning more about equity, social justice, and anti-racism.
   
• Able to attend the full Changemaker Cohort week at Eagle Rock in Estes Park, CO (February 16–20, 2026). Travel is into Denver International Airport (DIA) with return flights on the evening of February 20.
   
• Prepared to participate in a year-long program, including monthly virtual coaching and a mid-year in-person convening (October 1–4, 2026).
   
• Ready to identify an issue area you’d like to impact (a project idea isn’t required yet, though it’s fine if you already have one).
   
• Supported by organizational or supervisory approval to fully participate.
   

What’s Included

• Travel, meals during the Changemaker week, and lodging (if not local to Estes Park).
   
• A $2,000 stipend to support your Changemaker project throughout the year.
   
• Coaching, resources, and a supportive national community.
   
• An expectation that all projects will honor and equip students with skills for future success, regardless of the specific issue area.

A Growing Movement

Since 2021, schools across the country have joined the Changemaker Cohort, designing equity-focused innovations that strengthen belonging and improve outcomes. Past participants include schools from Tennessee to New Mexico, Wisconsin to California, and beyond, each bringing their own local context and leaving with tools, strategies, and a supportive network.  Schools to date include:  

• Crosstown High, TN
• Eagle Rock School, CO
• Empower Generations High School, CA
• E’Tude High School, WI
• Fannie Lou Freedom High School, NY
• Francis Parker High School, KY
• Freedom High School, NM
• Highline Big Picture, WA
• iLEAD Agua Dulce, CA
• Lake Arthur High School, NM
• Nashville Big Picture, TN
• New Visions Humanities IV, NY
• Vaux Big Picture, PA

Now, the Fifth Cohort will build on this momentum, equipping a new generation of student–educator teams to lead transformational work.

Ready to Join?

Applications are now open for student–staff pairs ready to take on the challenge and opportunity of school transformation.

Fifth Cohort launch: February 16–20, 2026 with school selection notification before the end of the year.

Learn more and apply at www.changemakercohort.org.