2026

Join us at the Challenge Success Annual Conference

We’re gathering educators, school and district leaders, counselors, families, and students at Stanford University on September 26-27, 2026, to reimagine what student success can look like. Over two powerful days, you’ll learn from leading researchers and practitioners, hear directly from student voices, and leave with practical strategies to strengthen well-being, engagement, and belonging in your school community.

The call for proposals for the 2026 Annual Conference is closed. Call for Proposals for the 2027 Annual Conference will open in February 2027. We encourage you to apply! If you have any questions, please get in touch with us at conference@challengesuccess.org.

2026 Registration & Pricing

REGISTRATION CLOSES SEPTEMBER 4, 2026.
Pricing includes breakfast & lunch on both days.

$1,095

individual
ticket

Join hundreds of educators and leaders at the Annual Conference: two full days of learning, networking, and ideas you can actually use.

$875

Bundle
(4+) tickets

Bring your team and save! The more you share the experience, the more impact you bring back to your school.

Included

2026-2027 School partnership teams

Exclusively for 2026-2027 School Partnership Teams: your ticket is fully covered.

Please contact us for your registration link.

Logistics & FAQ

Parking / Location Information

You can find parking instructions here.

What hotels do you recommend?

Sheraton Palo Alto
Westin Palo Alto
Hilton Garden Inn Palo Alto
Crowne Plaza Palo Alto

What do I need to bring?

We recommend bringing a water bottle, comfortable walking shoes, and a notebook for jotting down any thoughts you might have. Laptops are optional.

Can students attend?

Students are always welcome! We encourage you to bring them along to help you focus on centering student voice. We offer several workshops for students throughout the conference.

Local Restaurants

Palo Alto Creamery — 566 Emerson St. A beloved local institution with an old-school diner vibe. Famous for milkshakes, burgers, and all-day breakfast.
Crepevine — 367 University Ave. Generous portions of sweet and savory crepes, omelets, and sandwiches. Super family-friendly.
Oren’s Hummus — 261 University Ave. Excellent Israeli/Mediterranean food. Falafel, hummus, shakshuka, and pita work for a wide range of dietary needs.
Nola — 535 Ramona St. A New Orleans-inspired spot with a colorful courtyard atmosphere, Cajun food, and a crowd-pleasing menu including tacos, jambalaya, and burgers. Great for a group dinner.
Local Union 271 — 271 University Ave. Farm-to-table with a beautiful, airy interior, great for groups. Known for the duck fat burger, Buddha bowls, and Thai Brussels sprouts.
La Bodeguita del Medio — 463 California Ave. A vibrant Cuban restaurant with live music, great for an evening out. Flavorful food in a festive setting.

Activities & Exploring Stanford University Campus

Cantor Arts Center — Stanford’s free art museum, with works spanning 5,000 years, including a sculpture garden. Great for all ages.
Stanford Bookstore — A short, 5-minute walk from the conference location. Pick up souvenirs, books, and Stanford gear.
Explore the Dish Trail — A scenic 3.7-mile loop hike with views of the Bay Area (short drive from GSE)
Stanford Athletics — Our conference is right in the heart of fall sports season! Attend an athletic event with your team.

Discounted Football Tickets

New this year, we have a special discount link for Stanford’s Football game on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Grab dinner after the conference and head over to watch Stanford vs. Georgia Tech!

2026 agenda

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Conference Justification Kit

The Challenge Success Annual Conference is the annual gathering and rallying point for the vibrant and diverse community of educators, researchers, and advocates; people like you who are working to create schools and communities where all young people can experience well-being, engagement, and belonging. Need some help making the case for why you should attend this year? We’ve got you covered!

Here are some resources and additional conference information, including an email and letter template, to help you convince your boss, school, district, or organization leader to approve and fund your participation in this year’s conference.

Download Kit

Download our FREE Student Stress & Coping Brief!