We train leaders to build schools, to ensure their schools excel, and to sustain their results over time.
Behind every excellent school is an excellent leader.
Strong schools rest on the shoulders of strong leaders. BES is a national nonprofit organization that has been identifying and preparing excellent leaders to transform education in their communities for over two decades. We invest in leaders so that they can invest in their teams and students, delivering on the promise of an excellent education for every child.
Explore our Suite of Supports
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BES Fellowship
Individuals deeply committed to transforming education embark on a multi-year process to design, found, and lead an excellent public school that reflects and responds to community needs.
Applications are currently open for the 2025 BES Fellowship, which will begin on Aug. 2025.
Follow On Support
To ensure that schools start strong and sustain excellence over time, BES provides structured coaching and support to school founders in their planning year and first two years of operation.
Leadership Development
BES provides professional development programming for schools looking to build the capacity of their leaders and strengthen their leadership bench.
Upcoming program announcement for 2025 coming soon!
School Leader Coaching
Designed to meet the unique needs of each participant, BES provides individualized weekly or bi-monthly coaching to equip leaders to deliver on their school’s ambitious goals.
Leadership Intensives
From two-hour virtual workshops to three-day trainings and school visits, BES offers small-group trainings that are customized to meet a group of leaders’ needs.
Executive Search
BES offers expert recruitment supports for schools and networks in their search for executive leaders who share their mission to provide a high-quality education for all students.
Build.
“I chose to join the BES Fellowship because of its proven success in empowering leaders to create high-performing charter schools that meet the unique needs of their communities. For me, this opportunity aligned perfectly with my vision for a school that fosters academic excellence, personal growth, and a deep connection with the community.”
Christina Aldrich (Buckeye, AZ)
2024 BES Fellow
Proposed Founder, Mosaic Learning Academy
Excel.
“Having executive coaching that is tailored to my individual needs, skills, and goals has helped me be a more focused and effective leader as I develop our network, and is something I have desired for a long time. The partnership with my coach truly felt aligned, and because of his support I was 100% confident we would open with amazing results.”
Dr. Khalil Graham (Sumter, SC)
2020 School Leader Coaching
Founding Executive Director, Liberty STEAM Charter School
Sustain.
“LENS equipped me with the skills to effectively and equitably lead a school. The intensive small group training, school visits, monthly coaching calls, and networking elevated my leadership skills and allowed me to bring back innovative ideas that have improved our overall school community. We’ve achieved higher scholar growth while creating a safe and engaging learning environment for all.”
Christian Toledo (Bronx, NY)
2019 LENS Leader
Middle School Principal, Legacy College Prep
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