Fellowship for Founding School Leaders - Alabama

BES seeks a Fellow for our Fellowship program starting in August 2026 to serve as a founding school leader in Alabama.  This BES Fellowship offers highly motivated leaders committed to transforming education the rigorous, multi-year training needed to design, found, and lead a high-achieving school that meets the unique needs of its community.

BES welcomes applicants from any Alabama region favorable for new public charter schools and aligned with authorizer priorities, with particular interest in leaders aiming to found schools in the Birmingham and Montgomery areas. 

Who We Are
Strong schools are built by strong leaders, which is why BES identifies and prepares exceptional individuals to transform education in their communities. From school founders and executive directors to operations leaders, deans, and curriculum directors, we train leaders to build schools, to ensure their schools excel, and to sustain their results over time.

The BES Fellowship and selection process fosters an equitable, inclusive, and empowering experience for Fellows. For over two decades, BES Fellows have founded over 220 schools and are currently serving more than 73,000 students, with many BES-trained leaders consistently driving student achievement beyond district and state averages and helping to close the opportunity gap. 

What You’ll Do 

The BES Fellowship for founding school leaders includes one year of training for Build Track Fellows followed by three years of Follow On Support to support leaders in building a high-performing, locally responsive school. For a comprehensive description of our Fellowship, please visit our website. An overview is provided below.  

Fellows in Alabama begin with an intensive training year, where they engage in over 300 hours of coursework on school design, leadership, governance, and community engagement, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion. Fellows also conduct in-depth studies of effective schools across the nation and complete residencies at high-performing schools, all while developing a charter application and establishing a founding board.

In year two, the planning year, Fellows partner with a BES coach to refine their project management and leadership skills, hire founding staff, recruit students, and solidify their school vision. This dedicated coaching and cohort-based training, known as Follow On Support, helps Fellows bridge the transition from founder to school leader, preparing them to launch a strong, sustainable school. During years three and four, the first two operational years, leaders put their vision into action, welcoming their inaugural class, coaching teachers, and using data to drive academic success. By the second year of operation, they deepen the academic focus, serving a growing population of students, and build leadership capacity to support future growth, all while fostering an empowered, mission-aligned team. In year three of operation and beyond, BES Fellow-founded schools can opt-in to other leadership and professional development opportunities from BES to support their school and strengthen their leadership bench. 

What You Bring

• The ability to lead, manage and motivate: You have demonstrated the ability to lead and manage a team towards results, and you are committed to serving as a school leader in the community for at least 10 years. 
• Self awareness and humility: You possess a growth mindset and have a continuous desire to improve. You are eager to give, take, and implement feedback with humility and in real time.
• Commitment to community: You have experience in the community you are proposing for your school and bring strong organizational partnerships. You can articulate how you will gain and factor in community input. 
• Diversity, equity and inclusion in action: Your school model will primarily serve students from under-sourced communities and bring an anti-racist lens to the work. You have had success with similar populations of students and been responsive to community needs. 
• Commitment to excellence for all students: You have a clear vision for your school and can discuss key elements of the school in a detailed, compelling, and direct manner. You hold yourself accountable for results and believe that all students can achieve at high levels. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s or Professional degree preferred
• Minimum 8 years of professional experience, with instructional or instructional leadership experience required
• At least 2 years managing and supervising adults in a PreK-12 setting required, 2 years of school leadership experience preferred 
• Commitment to serving as a school leader in the proposed community for at least 10 years required 
• Ability to establish and activate local connections to support school enrollment
• Strong preference for candidates with at least 2-3 years of experience living or working in the proposed school region, especially those with strong ties to the community
• Clear, compelling rationale for the proposed school location

Compensation and Benefits 

• This is a contract role with a $100,000+ grant during the first year of the program (the Fellowship training year)
• Health reimbursements available 
• Travel and accommodations for training and during school study travel 
• Technology support 
• Reimbursement for up to $5,000 in moving expenses
• Up to $3,500 reimbursed for school design expenses for Build Fellows
• The opportunity to apply for BES start-up fund awards and/or those provided exclusively to Fellows by our partners

Additional Information

The BES Fellowship training year runs from August 2026 through July 2027, during which time BES Fellows will receive disbursements from their $100,000 grant. While grant disbursements will end in July 2027, the authorization process in certain regions can sometimes extend beyond that time. BES Fellows will continue to receive coaching and guidance from BES through this phase to help them navigate the entirety of the authorization process. In addition, BES will work with Fellows affected by this timeline to identify additional funding opportunities for Fellows, wherever possible. 

BES Fellows in Alabama will also have the opportunity to participate in programming with a local incubator. 

To Apply

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. As such, applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible in order to secure limited spots in our available regions. Before applying, please review our Applicant Toolkit, which includes helpful guidance and resources to support you through the application process.  If you are interested in founding a school in a region other than Alabama please note that additional regions will be announced as they become available. In the meantime, please consider these next steps: 

1. To stay updated on new regions, please subscribe to receive emails from BES here. 
2. We encourage you to complete this interest form to tell us about the region where you are interested in founding a new school.
3. Consider connecting with our team if you have questions about the Fellowship or selection process before you apply. Please visit our job board to submit your application. 

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Fellowship for Founding School Leaders - Workforce Development Schools in Atlanta

BES seeks a Fellow for our Fellowship program starting in August 2026 to serve as a Founding School Leader in Greater Atlanta. This Fellowship offers highly motivated leaders committed to transforming education the rigorous, multi-year training needed to design, found, and lead a high-achieving school that meets the unique needs of its community. BES welcomes applicants interested in founding schools in Clayton County or Gwinnett County that would serve students in grades 6-12 that are academically rigorous and prioritize workforce development / career-focused schools as part of the model. At this time, we are not considering applications for elementary schools or models not connected to workforce development or high-growth careers. 

Who We Are
Strong schools are built by strong leaders, which is why BES identifies and prepares exceptional individuals to transform education in their communities. From school founders and executive directors to operations leaders, deans, and curriculum directors, we train leaders to build schools, to ensure their schools excel, and to sustain their results over time.

The BES Fellowship and selection process fosters an equitable, inclusive, and empowering experience for Fellows. For over two decades, BES Fellows have founded over 220 schools and are currently serving more than 73,000 students, with many BES-trained leaders consistently driving student achievement beyond district and state averages and helping to close the opportunity gap. 

What You’ll Do 

The BES Fellowship for founding school leaders includes approximately one year of training for Build Track Fellows followed by three years of Follow On Support to support leaders in building a high-performing, locally responsive school. For a comprehensive description of our Fellowship, please visit our website. An overview is provided below.  

Fellows in Atlanta begin with an intensive training year, where they engage in over 300 hours of coursework on school design, leadership, governance, and community engagement, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion. Fellows also conduct in-depth studies of effective schools across the nation and complete residencies at high-performing schools, all while developing a charter application and establishing a founding board.

In year two, the planning year, Fellows partner with a BES coach to refine their project management and leadership skills, hire founding staff, recruit students, and solidify their school vision. This dedicated coaching and cohort-based training, known as Follow On Support, helps Fellows bridge the transition from founder to school leader, preparing them to launch a strong, sustainable school. During years three and four, the first two operational years, leaders put their vision into action, welcoming their inaugural class, coaching teachers, and using data to drive academic success. By the second year of operation, they deepen the academic focus, serving a growing population of students, and build leadership capacity to support future growth, all while fostering an empowered, mission-aligned team.  In year three of operation and beyond, BES Fellow-founded schools can opt-in to other leadership and professional development opportunities from BES to support their school and strengthen their leadership bench. 

What You Bring

• The ability to lead, manage and motivate: You have demonstrated the ability to lead and manage a team towards results, and you are committed to serving as a school leader in the community for at least 10 years. 
• Self awareness and humility: You possess a growth mindset and have a continuous desire to improve. You are eager to give, take, and implement feedback with humility and in real time.
• Commitment to community: You have experience in the community you are proposing for your school and bring strong organizational partnerships. You can articulate how you will gain and factor in community input. 
• Diversity, equity and inclusion in action: Your school model will primarily serve students from under-sourced communities and bring an anti-racist lens to the work. You have had success with similar populations of students and been responsive to community needs. 
• Commitment to excellence for all students: You have a clear vision for your school and can discuss key elements of the school in a detailed, compelling, and direct manner. You hold yourself accountable for results and believe that all students can achieve at high levels. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s or Professional degree preferred
• Minimum 8 years of professional experience, with instructional or instructional leadership experience required
• At least 2 years managing and supervising adults in a PreK-12 setting required, 2 years of school leadership experience preferred 
• Commitment to serving as a school leader in the proposed community for at least 10 years required 
• Ability to establish and activate local connections to support school enrollment
• Strong preference for candidates with at least 2-3 years of experience living or working in the proposed school region, especially those with strong ties to the community
• Clear, compelling rationale for the proposed school location
• Experience in career-connected learning and/or existing workforce partnerships preferred

Compensation and Benefits 

• This is a contract role with a $100,000+ grant during the first year of the program (the Fellowship training year)
• Healthcare grants available 
• Travel and accommodations for training and during school study travel 
• Technology support 
• Reimbursement for up to $5,000 in moving expenses
• Up to $3,500 grants for school design expenses for Build Fellows 
• The opportunity to apply for BES start-up fund awards and/or those provided exclusively to Fellows by our partners

Additional Information

The BES Fellowship training year typically runs from August 2026 through July 2027, during which time BES Fellows will receive disbursements from their $100,000 grant. While grant disbursements will end in July 2027 (or typically 12 months after beginning the Fellowship), the authorization process in certain regions can sometimes extend beyond that time. Note that the beginning and end date for the Atlanta Fellowship will depend on the local counties’ (Clayton or Gwinnett) authorization timeline AND a candidate’s readiness. BES Fellows will continue to receive coaching and guidance from BES through this phase to help them navigate the entirety of the authorization process. In addition, BES will work with Fellows affected by this timeline to identify additional funding opportunities for Fellows, wherever possible. 

Please note that Fellows may begin assignments prior to Fellowship orientation.

To Apply
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. As such, applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible in order to secure limited spots in our available regions.

Before applying, please review our Applicant Toolkit, which includes guidance and resources to support you through the application process. Submit your application via our job board.

Interested in founding a school outside of Atlanta?
Additional regions will be announced as they become available. In the meantime, you can:

• Subscribe to receive updates on new regions here.
• Complete  this interest form to share where you hope to found a school.
• Connect with our team with questions about the Fellowship or selection process.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Fellowship for Founding School Leaders - Rhode Island

BES seeks a Fellow for our Fellowship program starting in August 2026 to serve as a founding school leader in Rhode Island.  This BES Fellowship offers highly motivated leaders committed to transforming education the rigorous, multi-year training needed to design, found, and lead a high-achieving school that meets the unique needs of its community.

BES welcomes applicants from any Rhode Island region favorable for new public charter schools and aligned with authorizer priorities, with particular interest in leaders aiming to found schools in Providence or Pawtucket. While a secondary priority, BES will also consider applications from leaders proposing schools in Central Falls or Woonsocket. The most competitive applicants will be able to articulate a clear understanding of the authorization process and timeline in Rhode Island.

Who We Are
Strong schools are built by strong leaders, which is why BES identifies and prepares exceptional individuals to transform education in their communities. From school founders and executive directors to operations leaders, deans, and curriculum directors, we train leaders to build schools, to ensure their schools excel, and to sustain their results over time.

The BES Fellowship and selection process fosters an equitable, inclusive, and empowering experience for Fellows. For over two decades, BES Fellows have founded over 220 schools and are currently serving more than 73,000 students, with many BES-trained leaders consistently driving student achievement beyond district and state averages and helping to close the opportunity gap. 

What You’ll Do 

The BES Fellowship for founding school leaders includes one year of training for Build Track Fellows followed by three years of Follow On Support to support leaders in building a high-performing, locally responsive school. For a comprehensive description of our Fellowship, please visit our website. An overview is provided below.  

Fellows in Rhode Island begin with an intensive training year, where they engage in over 300 hours of coursework on school design, leadership, governance, and community engagement, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion. Fellows also conduct in-depth studies of effective schools across the nation and complete residencies at high-performing schools, all while developing a charter application and establishing a founding board.

In year two, the planning year, Fellows partner with a BES coach to refine their project management and leadership skills, hire founding staff, recruit students, and solidify their school vision. This dedicated coaching and cohort-based training, known as Follow On Support, helps Fellows bridge the transition from founder to school leader, preparing them to launch a strong, sustainable school. During years three and four, the first two operational years, leaders put their vision into action, welcoming their inaugural class, coaching teachers, and using data to drive academic success. By the second year of operation, they deepen the academic focus, serving a growing population of students, and build leadership capacity to support future growth, all while fostering an empowered, mission-aligned team. In year three of operation and beyond, BES Fellow-founded schools can opt-in to other leadership and professional development opportunities from BES to support their school and strengthen their leadership bench. 

What You Bring

• The ability to lead, manage and motivate: You have demonstrated the ability to lead and manage a team towards results, and you are committed to serving as a school leader in the community for at least 10 years. 
• Self awareness and humility: You possess a growth mindset and have a continuous desire to improve. You are eager to give, take, and implement feedback with humility and in real time.
• Commitment to community: You have experience in the community you are proposing for your school and bring strong organizational partnerships. You can articulate how you will gain and factor in community input. 
• Diversity, equity and inclusion in action: Your school model will primarily serve students from under-sourced communities and bring an anti-racist lens to the work. You have had success with similar populations of students and been responsive to community needs. 
• Commitment to excellence for all students: You have a clear vision for your school and can discuss key elements of the school in a detailed, compelling, and direct manner. You hold yourself accountable for results and believe that all students can achieve at high levels. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s or Professional degree preferred
• Minimum 8 years of professional experience, with instructional or instructional leadership experience required
• At least 2 years managing and supervising adults in a PreK-12 setting required, 2 years of school leadership experience preferred 
• Commitment to serving as a school leader in the proposed community for at least 10 years required 
• Ability to establish and activate local connections to support school enrollment
• Strong preference for candidates with at least 2-3 years of experience living or working in the proposed school region, especially those with strong ties to the community
• Clear, compelling rationale for the proposed school location

Compensation and Benefits 

• This is a contract role with a $100,000+ grant during the first year of the program (the Fellowship training year)
• Health reimbursements available 
• Travel and accommodations for training and during school study travel 
• Technology support 
• Reimbursement for up to $5,000 in moving expenses
• Up to $3,500 reimbursed for school design expenses for Build Fellows
• The opportunity to apply for BES start-up fund awards and/or those provided exclusively to Fellows by our partners

Additional Information

The BES Fellowship training year runs from August 2026 through July 2027, during which time BES Fellows will receive disbursements from their $100,000 grant. While grant disbursements will end in July 2027, the authorization process in certain regions can sometimes extend beyond that time. BES Fellows will continue to receive coaching and guidance from BES through this phase to help them navigate the entirety of the authorization process. In addition, BES will work with Fellows affected by this timeline to identify additional funding opportunities for Fellows, wherever possible. 

To Apply

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. As such, applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible in order to secure limited spots in our available regions.  Before applying, please review our Applicant Toolkit, which includes helpful guidance and resources to support you through the application process.  If you are interested in founding a school in a region other than Rhode Island please note that additional regions will be announced as they become available. In the meantime, please consider these next steps: 

1. To stay updated on new regions, please subscribe to receive emails from BES here. 
2. We encourage you to complete this interest form to tell us about the region where you are interested in founding a new school.
3. Consider connecting with our team if you have questions about the Fellowship or selection process before you apply. Please visit our job board to submit your application. 

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Fellowship for Founding School Leaders - Arkansas

BES seeks a Fellow for our Fellowship program starting in August 2026 to serve as a founding school leader in Arkansas.  This BES Fellowship offers highly motivated leaders committed to transforming education the rigorous, multi-year training needed to design, found, and lead a high-achieving school that meets the unique needs of its community.

BES welcomes applicants from any Arkansas region favorable for new public charter schools and aligned with authorizer priorities, with particular interest in leaders aiming to found schools in communities in Greater Little Rock, Fort Smith, or Jonesboro.

Who We Are
Strong schools are built by strong leaders, which is why BES identifies and prepares exceptional individuals to transform education in their communities. From school founders and executive directors to operations leaders, deans, and curriculum directors, we train leaders to build schools, to ensure their schools excel, and to sustain their results over time.

The BES Fellowship and selection process fosters an equitable, inclusive, and empowering experience for Fellows. For over two decades, BES Fellows have founded over 220 schools and are currently serving more than 73,000 students, with many BES-trained leaders consistently driving student achievement beyond district and state averages and helping to close the opportunity gap. 

What You’ll Do 

The BES Fellowship for founding school leaders includes one year of training for Build Track Fellows followed by three years of Follow On Support to support leaders in building a high-performing, locally responsive school. For a comprehensive description of our Fellowship, please visit our website. An overview is provided below.  

Fellows in Arkansas begin with an intensive training year, where they engage in over 300 hours of coursework on school design, leadership, governance, and community engagement, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion. Fellows also conduct in-depth studies of effective schools across the nation and complete residencies at high-performing schools, all while developing a charter application and establishing a founding board.

In year two, the planning year, Fellows partner with a BES coach to refine their project management and leadership skills, hire founding staff, recruit students, and solidify their school vision. This dedicated coaching and cohort-based training, known as Follow On Support, helps Fellows bridge the transition from founder to school leader, preparing them to launch a strong, sustainable school. During years three and four, the first two operational years, leaders put their vision into action, welcoming their inaugural class, coaching teachers, and using data to drive academic success. By the second year of operation, they deepen the academic focus, serving a growing population of students, and build leadership capacity to support future growth, all while fostering an empowered, mission-aligned team. In year three of operation and beyond, BES Fellow-founded schools can opt-in to other leadership and professional development opportunities from BES to support their school and strengthen their leadership bench. 

What You Bring

• The ability to lead, manage and motivate: You have demonstrated the ability to lead and manage a team towards results, and you are committed to serving as a school leader in the community for at least 10 years. 
• Self awareness and humility: You possess a growth mindset and have a continuous desire to improve. You are eager to give, take, and implement feedback with humility and in real time.
• Commitment to community: You have experience in the community you are proposing for your school and bring strong organizational partnerships. You can articulate how you will gain and factor in community input. 
• Diversity, equity and inclusion in action: Your school model will primarily serve students from under-sourced communities and bring an anti-racist lens to the work. You have had success with similar populations of students and been responsive to community needs. 
• Commitment to excellence for all students: You have a clear vision for your school and can discuss key elements of the school in a detailed, compelling, and direct manner. You hold yourself accountable for results and believe that all students can achieve at high levels. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s or Professional degree preferred
• Minimum 8 years of professional experience, with instructional or instructional leadership experience required
• At least 2 years managing and supervising adults in a PreK-12 setting required, 2 years of school leadership experience preferred 
• Commitment to serving as a school leader in the proposed community for at least 10 years required 
• Ability to establish and activate local connections to support school enrollment
• Strong preference for candidates with at least 2-3 years of experience living or working in the proposed school region, especially those with strong ties to the community
• Clear, compelling rationale for the proposed school location

Compensation and Benefits 

• This is a contract role with a $100,000+ grant during the first year of the program (the Fellowship training year)
• Health reimbursements available 
• Travel and accommodations for training and during school study travel 
• Technology support 
• Reimbursement for up to $5,000 in moving expenses
• Up to $3,500 reimbursed for school design expenses for Build Fellows
• The opportunity to apply for BES start-up fund awards and/or those provided exclusively to Fellows by our partners

Additional Information

The BES Fellowship training year runs from August 2026 through July 2027, during which time BES Fellows will receive disbursements from their $100,000 grant. While grant disbursements will end in July 2027, the authorization process in certain regions can sometimes extend beyond that time. BES Fellows will continue to receive coaching and guidance from BES through this phase to help them navigate the entirety of the authorization process. In addition, BES will work with Fellows affected by this timeline to identify additional funding opportunities for Fellows, wherever possible. 

To Apply

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. As such, applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible in order to secure limited spots in our available regions.  Before applying, please review our Applicant Toolkit, which includes helpful guidance and resources to support you through the application process.  If you are interested in founding a school in a region other than Arkansas please note that additional regions will be announced as they become available. In the meantime, please consider these next steps: 

1. To stay updated on new regions, please subscribe to receive emails from BES here. 
2. We encourage you to complete this interest form to tell us about the region where you are interested in founding a new school.
3. Consider connecting with our team if you have questions about the Fellowship or selection process before you apply. Please visit our job board to submit your application. 

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

2026 Fellowship for Founding School Leaders- Tennessee 

BES seeks a Fellow for our Fellowship program starting in August 2026 to serve as a founding school leader in Tennessee.  This BES Fellowship offers highly motivated leaders committed to transforming education the rigorous, multi-year training needed to design, found, and lead a high-achieving school that meets the unique needs of its community.

BES welcomes applicants from any Tennessee region favorable for new public charter schools and aligned with authorizer priorities, with particular interest in leaders aiming to found schools in areas such as Knoxville, Nashville (outside the city limits), or Chattanooga metropolitan areas.   

Who We Are
Strong schools are built by strong leaders, which is why BES identifies and prepares exceptional individuals to transform education in their communities. From school founders and executive directors to operations leaders, deans, and curriculum directors, we train leaders to build schools, to ensure their schools excel, and to sustain their results over time.

The BES Fellowship and selection process fosters an equitable, inclusive, and empowering experience for Fellows. For over two decades, BES Fellows have founded over 220 schools and are currently serving more than 73,000 students, with many BES-trained leaders consistently driving student achievement beyond district and state averages and helping to close the opportunity gap. 

What You’ll Do 

The BES Fellowship for founding school leaders includes one year of training for Build Track Fellows followed by three years of Follow On Support to support leaders in building a high-performing, locally responsive school. For a comprehensive description of our Fellowship, please visit our website. An overview is provided below.  

Fellows in Tennessee begin with an intensive training year, where they engage in over 300 hours of coursework on school design, leadership, governance, and community engagement, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion. Fellows also conduct in-depth studies of effective schools across the nation and complete residencies at high-performing schools, all while developing a charter application and establishing a founding board.

In year two, the planning year, Fellows partner with a BES coach to refine their project management and leadership skills, hire founding staff, recruit students, and solidify their school vision. This dedicated coaching and cohort-based training, known as Follow On Support, helps Fellows bridge the transition from founder to school leader, preparing them to launch a strong, sustainable school. During years three and four, the first two operational years, leaders put their vision into action, welcoming their inaugural class, coaching teachers, and using data to drive academic success. By the second year of operation, they deepen the academic focus, serving a growing population of students, and build leadership capacity to support future growth, all while fostering an empowered, mission-aligned team.  In year three of operation and beyond, BES Fellow-founded schools can opt-in to other leadership and professional development opportunities from BES to support their school and strengthen their leadership bench. 

What You Bring

• The ability to lead, manage and motivate: You have demonstrated the ability to lead and manage a team towards results, and you are committed to serving as a school leader in the community for at least 10 years. 
• Self awareness and humility: You possess a growth mindset and have a continuous desire to improve. You are eager to give, take, and implement feedback with humility and in real time.
• Commitment to community: You have experience in the community you are proposing for your school and bring strong organizational partnerships. You can articulate how you will gain and factor in community input. 
• Diversity, equity and inclusion in action: Your school model will primarily serve students from under-sourced communities and bring an anti-racist lens to the work. You have had success with similar populations of students and been responsive to community needs. 
• Commitment to excellence for all students: You have a clear vision for your school and can discuss key elements of the school in a detailed, compelling, and direct manner. You hold yourself accountable for results and believe that all students can achieve at high levels. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s or Professional degree preferred
• Minimum 8 years of professional experience, with instructional or instructional leadership experience required
• At least 2 years managing and supervising adults in a PreK-12 setting required, 2 years of school leadership experience preferred 
• Commitment to serving as a school leader in the proposed community for at least 10 years required 
• Ability to establish and activate local connections to support school enrollment
• Strong preference for candidates with at least 2-3 years of experience living or working in the proposed school region, especially those with strong ties to the community
• Clear, compelling rationale for the proposed school location

Compensation and Benefits 

• This is a contract role with a $100,000+ grant during the first year of the program (the Fellowship training year)
• Healthcare grants available 
• Travel and accommodations for training and during school study travel 
• Technology support 
• Reimbursement for up to $5,000 in moving expenses
• Up to $3,500 grants for school design expenses for Build Fellows 
• The opportunity to apply for BES start-up fund awards and/or those provided exclusively to Fellows by our partners

Additional Information

The BES Fellowship training year runs from August 2026 through July 2027, during which time BES Fellows will receive disbursements from their $100,000 grant. While grant disbursements will end in July 2027, the authorization process in certain regions can sometimes extend beyond that time. BES Fellows will continue to receive coaching and guidance from BES through this phase to help them navigate the entirety of the authorization process. In addition, BES will work with Fellows affected by this timeline to identify additional funding opportunities for Fellows, wherever possible. 

To Apply

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. As such, applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible in order to secure limited spots in our available regions. Before applying, please review our Applicant Toolkit, which includes helpful guidance and resources to support you through the application process. If you are interested in founding a school in a region other than Tennessee please note that additional regions will be announced as they become available. In the meantime, please consider these next steps: 

1. To stay updated on new regions, please subscribe to receive emails from BES here. 
2. We encourage you to complete this interest form to tell us about the region where you are interested in founding a new school.
3. Consider connecting with our team if you have questions about the Fellowship or selection process before you apply. Please visit our job board to submit your application. 

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Fellowship for Founding School Leaders - Ohio

BES seeks a Fellow for our Fellowship program starting in August 2026 to serve as a founding school leader in Ohio. This BES Fellowship offers highly motivated leaders committed to transforming education the rigorous, multi-year training needed to design, found, and lead a high-achieving school that meets the unique needs of its community.

BES welcomes applicants from any Ohio region favorable for new public charter schools and aligned with authorizer priorities, with particular interest in leaders aiming to found schools in the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati or Dayton metropolitan areas or in rural areas of the state. For regions with significant charter presence, applicants will be required to make a strong case for how a new proposed charter school will be viable and meet the needs of the community.

Who We Are
Strong schools are built by strong leaders, which is why BES identifies and prepares exceptional individuals to transform education in their communities. From school founders and executive directors to operations leaders, deans, and curriculum directors, we train leaders to build schools, to ensure their schools excel, and to sustain their results over time.

The BES Fellowship and selection process fosters an equitable, inclusive, and empowering experience for Fellows. For over two decades, BES Fellows have founded over 220 schools and are currently serving more than 73,000 students, with many BES-trained leaders consistently driving student achievement beyond district and state averages and helping to close the opportunity gap. 

What You’ll Do 

The BES Fellowship for founding school leaders includes one year of training for Build Track Fellows followed by three years of Follow On Support to support leaders in building a high-performing, locally responsive school. For a comprehensive description of our Fellowship, please visit our website. An overview is provided below. 

Fellows in Ohio begin with an intensive training year, where they engage in over 300 hours of coursework on school design, leadership, governance, and community engagement, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion. Fellows also conduct in-depth studies of effective schools across the nation and complete residencies at high-performing schools, all while developing a charter application and establishing a founding board.

In year two, the planning year, Fellows partner with a BES coach to refine their project management and leadership skills, hire founding staff, recruit students, and solidify their school vision. This dedicated coaching and cohort-based training, known as Follow On Support, helps Fellows bridge the transition from founder to school leader, preparing them to launch a strong, sustainable school. During years three and four, the first two operational years, leaders put their vision into action, welcoming their inaugural class, coaching teachers, and using data to drive academic success. By the second year of operation, they deepen the academic focus, serving a growing population of students, and build leadership capacity to support future growth, all while fostering an empowered, mission-aligned team.  In year three of operation and beyond, BES Fellow-founded schools can opt-in to other leadership and professional development opportunities from BES to support their school and strengthen their leadership bench. 

What You Bring

• The ability to lead, manage and motivate: You have demonstrated the ability to lead and manage a team towards results, and you are committed to serving as a school leader in the community for at least 10 years. 
• Self awareness and humility: You possess a growth mindset and have a continuous desire to improve. You are eager to give, take, and implement feedback with humility and in real time.
• Commitment to community: You have experience in the community you are proposing for your school and bring strong organizational partnerships. You can articulate how you will gain and factor in community input. 
• Diversity, equity and inclusion in action: Your school model will primarily serve students from under-sourced communities and bring an anti-racist lens to the work. You have had success with similar populations of students and been responsive to community needs. 
• Commitment to excellence for all students: You have a clear vision for your school and can discuss key elements of the school in a detailed, compelling, and direct manner. You hold yourself accountable for results and believe that all students can achieve at high levels. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s or Professional degree preferred
• Minimum 8 years of professional experience, with instructional or instructional leadership experience required
• At least 2 years managing and supervising adults in a PreK-12 setting required, 2 years of school leadership experience preferred 
• Commitment to serving as a school leader in the proposed community for at least 10 years required 
• Ability to establish and activate local connections to support school enrollment
• Strong preference for candidates with at least 2-3 years of experience living or working in the proposed school region, especially those with strong ties to the community
• Clear, compelling rationale for the proposed school location

Compensation and Benefits 

• This is a contract role with a $100,000+ grant during the first year of the program (the Fellowship training year)
• Health reimbursements available 
• Travel and accommodations for training and during school study travel 
• Technology support 
• Reimbursement for up to $5,000 in moving expenses
• Up to $3,500 reimbursed for school design expenses for Build Fellows 
• The opportunity to apply for BES start-up fund awards and/or those provided exclusively to Fellows by our partners

Additional Information

The BES Fellowship training year runs from August 2026 through July 2027, during which time BES Fellows will receive disbursements from their $100,000 grant. While grant disbursements will end in July 2027, the authorization process in certain regions can sometimes extend beyond that time. BES Fellows will continue to receive coaching and guidance from BES through this phase to help them navigate the entirety of the authorization process. In addition, BES will work with Fellows affected by this timeline to identify additional funding opportunities for Fellows, wherever possible. 

To Apply

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. As such, applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible in order to secure limited spots in our available regions.  Before applying, please review our Applicant Toolkit, which includes helpful guidance and resources to support you through the application process.  If you are interested in founding a school in a region other than Ohio please note that additional regions will be announced as they become available. In the meantime, please consider these next steps: 

1. To stay updated on new regions, please subscribe to receive emails from BES here. 
2. We encourage you to complete this interest form to tell us about the region where you are interested in founding a new school.
3. Consider connecting with our team if you have questions about the Fellowship or selection process before you apply. Please visit our job board to submit your application. 

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Fellowship for Founding School Leaders - Georgia (outside of Atlanta)

BES seeks a Fellow for our Fellowship program starting in August 2026 to serve as a founding school leader in Georgia, outside of the metropolitan Atlanta area.  This BES Fellowship offers highly motivated leaders committed to transforming education the rigorous, multi-year training needed to design, found, and lead a high-achieving school that meets the unique needs of its community.

BES welcomes applicants from any Georgia region favorable for new public charter schools and aligned with authorizer priorities, which includes areas in the state where there are limited or no charter school options. Regions of particular interest include, but are not limited to, central Georgia, rural areas, Athens, Albany, Braselton, or Dalton. 

Who We Are
Strong schools are built by strong leaders, which is why BES identifies and prepares exceptional individuals to transform education in their communities. From school founders and executive directors to operations leaders, deans, and curriculum directors, we train leaders to build schools, to ensure their schools excel, and to sustain their results over time.

The BES Fellowship and selection process fosters an equitable, inclusive, and empowering experience for Fellows. For over two decades, BES Fellows have founded over 220 schools and are currently serving more than 73,000 students, with many BES-trained leaders consistently driving student achievement beyond district and state averages and helping to close the opportunity gap. 

What You’ll Do 

The BES Fellowship for founding school leaders includes one year of training for Build Track Fellows followed by three years of Follow On Support to support leaders in building a high-performing, locally responsive school. For a comprehensive description of our Fellowship, please visit our website. An overview is provided below.  

Fellows in Georgia begin with an intensive training year, where they engage in over 300 hours of coursework on school design, leadership, governance, and community engagement, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion. Fellows also conduct in-depth studies of effective schools across the nation and complete residencies at high-performing schools, all while developing a charter application and establishing a founding board.

In year two, the planning year, Fellows partner with a BES coach to refine their project management and leadership skills, hire founding staff, recruit students, and solidify their school vision. This dedicated coaching and cohort-based training, known as Follow On Support, helps Fellows bridge the transition from founder to school leader, preparing them to launch a strong, sustainable school. During years three and four, the first two operational years, leaders put their vision into action, welcoming their inaugural class, coaching teachers, and using data to drive academic success. By the second year of operation, they deepen the academic focus, serving a growing population of students, and build leadership capacity to support future growth, all while fostering an empowered, mission-aligned team.  In year three of operation and beyond, BES Fellow-founded schools can opt-in to other leadership and professional development opportunities from BES to support their school and strengthen their leadership bench. 

What You Bring

• The ability to lead, manage and motivate: You have demonstrated the ability to lead and manage a team towards results, and you are committed to serving as a school leader in the community for at least 10 years. 
• Self awareness and humility: You possess a growth mindset and have a continuous desire to improve. You are eager to give, take, and implement feedback with humility and in real time.
• Commitment to community: You have experience in the community you are proposing for your school and bring strong organizational partnerships. You can articulate how you will gain and factor in community input. 
• Diversity, equity and inclusion in action: Your school model will primarily serve students from under-sourced communities and bring an anti-racist lens to the work. You have had success with similar populations of students and been responsive to community needs. 
• Commitment to excellence for all students: You have a clear vision for your school and can discuss key elements of the school in a detailed, compelling, and direct manner. You hold yourself accountable for results and believe that all students can achieve at high levels. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s or Professional degree preferred
• Minimum 8 years of professional experience, with instructional or instructional leadership experience required
• At least 2 years managing and supervising adults in a PreK-12 setting required, 2 years of school leadership experience preferred 
• Commitment to serving as a school leader in the proposed community for at least 10 years required 
• Ability to establish and activate local connections to support school enrollment
• Strong preference for candidates with 2-3 years of experience living or working in the proposed school region, especially those with strong ties to the community
• Clear, compelling rationale for the proposed school location

Compensation and Benefits 

• This is a contract role with a $100,000+ grant during the first year of the program (the Fellowship training year)
• Health reimbursements available 
• Travel and accommodations for training and during school study travel 
• Technology support 
• Reimbursement for up to $5,000 in moving expenses
• Up to $3,500 reimbursed for school design expenses for Build Fellows
• The opportunity to apply for BES start-up fund awards and/or those provided exclusively to Fellows by our partners

Additional Information

The BES Fellowship training year runs from August 2026 through July 2027, during which time BES Fellows will receive disbursements from their $100,000 grant. While grant disbursements will end in July 2027, the authorization process in certain regions can sometimes extend beyond that time. BES Fellows will continue to receive coaching and guidance from BES through this phase to help them navigate the entirety of the authorization process. In addition, BES will work with Fellows affected by this timeline to identify additional funding opportunities for Fellows, wherever possible. 

To Apply

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. As such, applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible in order to secure limited spots in our available regions. Before applying, please review our Applicant Toolkit, which includes helpful guidance and resources to support you through the application process.  If you are interested in founding a school in a region other than Georgia please note that additional regions will be announced as they become available. In the meantime, please consider these next steps: 

1. To stay updated on new regions, please subscribe to receive emails from BES here. 
2. We encourage you to complete this interest form to tell us about the region where you are interested in founding a new school.
3. Consider connecting with our team if you have questions about the Fellowship or selection process before you apply. Please visit our job board to submit your application. 

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Fellowship for Founding School Leaders - Arizona

BES seeks a Fellow for our Fellowship program starting in August 2026 to serve as a founding school leader in Arizona to design and found a new public charter school rooted in character and equity. This BES Fellowship offers highly motivated leaders committed to transforming education the rigorous, multi-year training needed to design, found, and lead a high-achieving school that meets the unique needs of its community.

BES welcomes applicants from any Arizona region favorable for new public charter schools and aligned with authorizer priorities, with particular interest in leaders aiming to found schools in the  metropolitan Phoenix area. 

Who We Are
Strong schools are built by strong leaders, which is why BES identifies and prepares exceptional individuals to transform education in their communities. From school founders and executive directors to operations leaders, deans, and curriculum directors, we train leaders to build schools, to ensure their schools excel, and to sustain their results over time.

The BES Fellowship and selection process fosters an equitable, inclusive, and empowering experience for Fellows. For over two decades, BES Fellows have founded over 220 schools and are currently serving more than 73,000 students, with many BES-trained leaders consistently driving student achievement beyond district and state averages and helping to close the opportunity gap. 

What You’ll Do 

The BES Fellowship for founding school leaders includes one year of training followed by three years of Follow On Support to support leaders in building a high-performing, locally responsive school. Arizona leaders will serve as Character and Equity Fellows in the Build Track: This is a version of our “traditional” four-year Build Track where Fellows found a school with character and equity at the core of its model, in addition to other locally responsive elements.  For a comprehensive description of our Fellowship, please visit our website. An overview is provided below. 

Fellows in Arizona begin with an intensive training year, where they engage in over 300 hours of coursework on school design, leadership, governance, and community engagement, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion. Fellows also conduct in-depth studies of effective schools across the nation and complete residencies at high-performing schools, all while developing a charter application and establishing a founding board. Fellows in Arizona also engage in additional opportunities to inform how character and equity will be core to the school model.

In year two, the planning year, Fellows partner with a BES coach to refine their project management and leadership skills, hire founding staff, recruit students, and solidify their school vision. This dedicated coaching and cohort-based training, known as Follow On Support, helps Fellows bridge the transition from founder to school leader, preparing them to launch a strong, sustainable school. During years three and four, the first two operational years, leaders put their vision into action, welcoming their inaugural class, coaching teachers, and using data to drive academic success. By the second year of operation, they deepen the academic focus, serving a growing population of students, and build leadership capacity to support future growth, all while fostering an empowered, mission-aligned team. In year three of operation and beyond, BES Fellow-founded schools can opt-in to other leadership and professional development opportunities from BES to support their school and strengthen their leadership bench. 

What You Bring

• The ability to lead, manage and motivate: You have demonstrated the ability to lead and manage a team towards results, and you are committed to serving as a school leader in the community for at least 10 years. 
• Self awareness and humility: You possess a growth mindset and have a continuous desire to improve. You are eager to give, take, and implement feedback with humility and in real time.
• Commitment to community: You have experience in the community you are proposing for your school and bring strong organizational partnerships. You can articulate how you will gain and factor in community input. 
• Diversity, equity and inclusion in action: Your school model will primarily serve students from under-sourced communities and bring an anti-racist lens to the work. You have had success with similar populations of students and been responsive to community needs. 
• Commitment to excellence for all students: You have a clear vision for your school and can discuss key elements of the school in a detailed, compelling, and direct manner. You hold yourself accountable for results and believe that all students can achieve at high levels. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s or Professional degree preferred
• Minimum 8 years of professional experience, with instructional or instructional leadership experience required
• At least 2 years managing and supervising adults in a PreK-12 setting required, 2 years of school leadership experience preferred 
• Commitment to serving as a school leader in the proposed community for at least 10 years required 
• Ability to establish and activate local connections to support school enrollment
• Strong preference for candidates with 2-3 years of experience living or working in the proposed school region, especially those with strong ties to the community
• Clear, compelling rationale for the proposed school location

Compensation and Benefits 

• This is a contract role with a $100,000+ grant during the first year of the program (the Fellowship training year)
• Healthcare grants available 
• Travel and accommodations for training and during school study travel 
• Technology support 
• Reimbursement for up to $5,000 in moving expenses
• Up to $3,500 grants for school design expenses for Build Fellows 
• Up to $11,500 reimbursed for character and equity-focused professional development for Character and Equity Fellows.
• The opportunity to apply for BES start-up fund awards and/or those provided exclusively to Fellows by our partners

Additional Information

The BES Fellowship training year runs from August 2026 through July 2027, during which time BES Fellows will receive disbursements from their $100,000 grant. While grant disbursements will end in July 2027, the authorization process in certain regions can sometimes extend beyond that time. BES Fellows will continue to receive coaching and guidance from BES through this phase to help them navigate the entirety of the authorization process. In addition, BES will work with Fellows affected by this timeline to identify additional funding opportunities for Fellows, wherever possible. 

To Apply

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. As such, applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible in order to secure limited spots in our available regions. Before applying, please review our Applicant Toolkit, which includes helpful guidance and resources to support you through the application process.  If you are interested in founding a school in a region other than Arizona please note that additional regions will be announced as they become available. In the meantime, please consider these next steps: 

1. To stay updated on new regions, please subscribe to receive emails from BES here. 
2. We encourage you to complete this interest form to tell us about the region where you are interested in founding a new school.
3. Consider connecting with our team if you have questions about the Fellowship or selection process before you apply. Please visit our job board to submit your application. 

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.