Current and aspiring leaders are faced with day-to-day challenges that are varied and unpredictable as they develop their experience portfolio. One of the key limitations to learning from real-life experiences is that the consequences of one’s decisions do not always unfold right away. SchoolSims provides a risk-free environment through software simulations where participants have an opportunity to fail as they face difficult situations. Our facilitated simulations essentially accelerate time allowing participants to decide on a course of action, implement it, and experience its consequences, all within the same exercise. Used as part of a leadership development curriculum, simulations provoke meaningful shared experiences and promote peer-to-peer discourse. Critical thinking is a key skill for current and aspiring leaders and when simulation participants engage in critical thought and make a choice, in that moment, the learning objective of critical thinking is achieved, and true learning occurs. The inclusion of SchoolSims simulation software in your professional development program will result in a deeper experience catalog for current and aspiring leaders, improved retention of K-12 leaders, and have a positive impact on teacher and student performance and the communities they serve.