2026 National Charter Schools Week 10 School Models That Are Changing Trajectories for Students & Building the Workforce of Tomorrow

APPLY TO THE BES FELLOWSHIP: We are currently accepting applications to the 2026 BES Fellowship in the following priority regions: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia (with spots in Atlanta and outside of Atlanta), Ohio, Rhode Island, and Tennessee. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all spots are filled. Strong candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to secure limited spots. Learn more at bes.org/fellowship.

At BES, we believe an excellent school prepares all students for self-determination and success in college, careers, and life. 

This year, National Charter Schools Week centers around Building the Workforce of Tomorrow and recognizes the ways charter schools prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and experience they need to succeed in school in life. 

Across the country, charter school students are getting a valuable head start on their futures—graduating with high school diplomas, college credits, and meaningful workforce credentials already in hand. 

Since 2001, BES Fellows have founded over 220 schools across the country that currently impact more than 75,000 students. These schools serve students across the K-12 continuum and focus on rigorous academics and postsecondary readiness for college and/or career. 

Below are just a few examples of how BES Fellow-founded schools are changing trajectories for students and expanding pathways in featured areas of healthcare, public service, STEM, arts, and entrepreneurship.

Academy for Innovation in Medicine (6-12) in Atlanta, GA
Founded by 2023 BES Dr. Kristy Beam; Opening 2026

Georgia’s first healthcare-focused STEMM, early-college public charter school will open this fall. The Academy for Innovation in Medicine (AIM) is designed to address the region’s healthcare workforce needs by preparing middle and high school students for college and careers in the health sciences.   

Centrally located in Atlanta, AIM will serve families across Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, and Clayton counties. AIM’s model goes beyond traditional STEM, integrating Medicine as a core pillar alongside Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Currently enrolling grades 6 and 9 (with a plan to expand to 6-12), students will be able to graduate with a high school diploma, an Associate’s degree, and a paid healthcare job—all before turning 18, allowing them to be workforce-ready and college-ready at the same time.

Through a partnership with the Grady Health System, students will begin exploring healthcare early, build skills over time, and gain real insight into what it means to work in this field. This Career Connected Learning approach is designed to help students grow with confidence while discovering what interests them, developing practical skills, and graduating with options they can actually use.

At AIM, Career Connected Learning includes:

• Rigorous core academics aligned to healthcare
• Hands-on experiences and simulations
• Mentorship from healthcare professionals
• Early credentials and college coursework
• Clear pathways into the healthcare workforce or continued education

Learn more about the Academy for Innovation in Medicine (AIM): aimgeorgia.org

ChattAcademy Community School (6-12) in Chattanooga, TN
Founded by 2021 BES Character & Equity Fellow Nolan McDaniel; Opened in 2024

In partnership with families, ChattAcademy Community School serves students in grades 6-12 as they pursue curiosity, grow in global competence through bilingual studies, impact their communities, and develop authentic character in order to be prepared to excel in the postsecondary opportunities of their choice.

The ChattAcademy experience is grounded in the work of reimagining what learning can look like. First, their bilingual model supports cognitive and holistic development, as well as encourages students to gain an appreciation for diverse cultures. Next, ChattAcademy takes a problem-based approach to learning that supports the thinkers, leaders, and communicators that will solve the community and world problems of the future. The curriculum is focused on teaching kids how to think rather than what to think, ensuring they master all grade level content and are also equipped to become independent, self-driven, curious learners. In addition to teachers designing units and lessons grounded in local problems, ChattAcademy partners with local organizations to ground student learning in places and contexts that they know and relate to. Some of these place-based learning partnerships include The Tennessee Aquarium, The Hunter Museum, and The Creative Discovery Museum.

ChattAcademy also believes in the value of students participating in community service to understand the needs of their community while also being empowered by their potential impact. Their Critical Service Learning Program encourages students to serve the community through curricular projects that analyze why needs exist in the community. Past projects include:

•Algebra I Class: Students analyzed 60 years of cost-of-living data in Chattanooga to understand the needs being addressed by local nonprofits. They also conducted their own research to propose meaningful solutions to these challenges.
•Science Class: 6th graders studied various influences on the health of ecosystems and presented models to 8th graders who evaluated the impact of AI, waste, plastic, CO2 emissions, and more. This project is also typically done in partnership with a local organization, WaterWays, who provide students with the opportunity to support river cleanup. 

Learn more about ChattAcademy Community School: chattacademy.org

Tulsa Honor Academy (5-12) in Tulsa, OK
Founded by 2013 BES Fellow Elsie Urueta Pollock; Opened in 2015

Tulsa Honor Academy was founded with a mission to equip all scholars with the academic skills, content knowledge, and ethical character required for college graduation and success.

In addition to a strong focus on academics, Tulsa Honor Academy focuses on character. Serving students in grades 5-12, the school’s vision is to develop successful college graduates who are well-rounded, engaged, and will transform their communities. With this in mind, expanding meaningful opportunities for scholar leadership, enrichment, and service has been important to scholar life at Tulsa Honor Academy. In the 2024-25 school year, for instance, students participated in 32 community service events, contributing to more than 6,300 hours of service across Tulsa at organizations such as Food on the Move, One Hope, The Gathering Place, and Catholic Charities. 

Bright spots on academic outcomes:
• 100% of the Class of 2025 were accepted into a four-year university.
• 80.5% of the Class of 2025 were first-generation college students.
• The Class of 2026 scored above the 50th percentile statewide on ACT Math, STEM, and Writing.
• 74% of scholars across the network met or exceeded their NWEA MAP growth goals from fall to spring (2024-25 school year).

Learn more about Tulsa Honor Academy: tulsahonoracademy.org

Fort Worth STEAM Academy (6-8) in Fort Worth, TX
Founded by 2023 BES Fellow Nicholas Ditto; Opening 2026

Planned to open this fall, the mission of Fort Worth STEAM Academy is to prepare all middle school students for success in high school, college, and career through a STEAM focused education, a joyful culture of high expectations, and robust community partnerships. Currently enrolling 6th graders in Fort Worth, TX, the school aims to expand to serve grades 6-8. 

Through engaging instruction, double literacy, and individualized learning, the school aims to ensure that students will graduate set up for success in high school and beyond. STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) will be woven throughout the school day so students can use them as a lens to understand and engage with the world. A math lesson connects to a real engineering challenge. A science experiment connects to a writing assignment. An art project connects to data visualization. This cross-disciplinary approach develops the exact skills—critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and communication—that high schools and employers are looking for. 

The vision is for students to receive an exceptional education that allows them to pursue careers in STEAM fields and become productive members of their communities in Fort Worth and beyond.

Learn more about Forth Worth STEAM Academy: fwsteamacademy.org

Kwenda Collegiate Girls Charter School (K-5) in Brooklyn, NY
Founded by 2018 BES Fellow Christina Yi-Perry; Opening 2026

Planning to open this fall in Brooklyn, NY, Kwenda Collegiate Girls Charter School aims to be a joyful K-5 school where girls will explore, question, and bloom.

Research shows that in mixed-gender classrooms girls are often interrupted more, called on less, and praised for compliance rather than curiosity. Kwenda exists to flip that script by centering girls—and their brilliance—so they feel free to ask questions, test ideas, and take up space. The school believes that girls deserve an education that provides the knowledge, skills, and habits to “go” (“Kwenda” in Swahili) wherever they want to in life—from college, to the design studio, to the White House, to the moon.

Kwenda’s school day will blend strong, research-based instruction with movement, play, and hands-on exploration. Girls will build essential academic foundations while also practicing collaboration, curiosity, and leadership. A focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) will also ignite wonder and help girls recognize their power as creators and problem-solvers. They will explore big questions, design boldly, and see themselves in the legacy of women who’ve shaped science and innovation. As a result, not only will girls learn how the world works, but also how they can change it.

Learn more about Kwenda Collegiate Girls Charter School: kwendaschools.org

Resurgence Hall (K-8) in Atlanta, GA
Founded by 2015 BES Fellow Tori Jackson Hines; Opened in 2017

When Resurgence Hall opened, it became the first public school in the state of Georgia to introduce computer science beginning in kindergarten. Since then, they’ve continued to blaze a trail of innovation and excellence.

Serving students in grades K-8, Resurgence Hall’s model emphasizes design thinking, computer science, blended learning, literacy, and an extended school day. They also feature arts programs that empower scholars to explore their unique voices, develop confidence, and engage deeply in the creative process. Students participate in multiple arts disciplines, including:

• Dance Education: During a 12-week study each year, scholars in Kindergarten through 4th grade rotate through modern, ballet, jazz, and hip-hop, gaining both technical skills and creative confidence.
• Arts Education: Scholars in Kindergarten through 4th grade embark on a 12-week exploration of the visual arts, designed to spark creativity, develop technique, and foster artistic expression.
• Music: every scholar in grades 5 through 8 engages in a 12-week journey through the world of music—designed to build musical fluency, deepen appreciation, and inspire performance.
• Performing Arts: every scholar in grades 5 through 8 participates in a 12-week exploration of the performing arts, designed to build confidence, creativity, and stage presence.
• Visual Arts: every scholar in grades 5 through 8 embarks on a 12-week study of visual art, designed to develop technical skill, encourage creative expression, and deepen artistic understanding.

Bright spots on student outcomes: 
• The school’s overall performance is higher than 95% of schools in the state.
• Students’ academic growth is higher than 99% of schools in the state.
• It ranks in the top 1-13% of schools statewide for ELA and top 1-22% for math:
• Top 1% in the state for 4th grade math
• Top 2% in the state for ELA assessments
• 2025 Title I Distinguished School for Georgia (5th year in the last 7 years receiving this recognition)

Learn more about Resurgence Hall: resurgencehall.org

Berkshire Arts & Technology (6-12) in North Adams, MA
Founded by 2002 BES Fellow Simeon Stolzberg and is currently led by Executive Director Jonathan Igoe; Opened in 2004

Berkshire Arts & Technology (BART) Charter Public School is a college-preparatory school located in Adams, MA, serving students in grades 6-12. The school prepares students for college by promoting mastery of academic skills and content with a strong foundation in arts and technology. The school provides middle and high school students in Berkshire County with a high-quality, transformative education and a community that regards everyone, including teachers and parents, as lifelong learners. 

In the 21st century, creative thinking and advanced technology skills are essential for college and career success. At BART, arts and technology are universal, providing every student with an academic advantage that blends creativity with technical proficiency.

BART commits to developing students’ multimedia communication, presentation skills, and providing rich opportunities to explore their creative strengths in arts and technology courses. Key components of their arts & technology integration include:

• Arts and Technology Elective Courses, Creative Studios, and Flex Block opportunities: Students engage in courses such as music, drama, STEAM, visual arts, 3D design, graphic design, and computer science.
• The Makerspace Facility: Housed in the central atrium of BART’s building, this space is equipped with art, fabrication, and electronics equipment to encourage deep, project-based learning.
• Technology-Enriched Classrooms: BART employs various modes of technology to enhance learning, such as 1:1 computers, online classrooms, 3D Printers, and a mobile Virtual Reality lab.
• Student Showcases and Performances: Each semester culminates in a showcase of student work from the visual and performance arts classes, celebrating creativity and providing students with valuable presentation experience. 

This semester, BART also launched a new CompTIA Tech+ Certification course, an offering designed to equip students with in-demand technical skills and industry-recognized credentials. The course provides students with the opportunity to earn certifications that hold real value in today’s technology workforce. 

Learn more about Berkshire Arts & Technology: bartcharter.org

Ethos Classical Charter School (K-7) in Atlanta, GA
Founded by 2015 BES Fellow Emily Castillo Léon and is currently led by Chief Executive Officer Danielle Mack; Opened in 2019

Recently named the Georgia Charter Schools Association 2026 Charter School of the Year, Ethos Classical Charter School opened with a mission to prepare scholars for a life of opportunity by nurturing their confidence, character, and creativity in an academically rigorous environment.

Serving scholars in grades K–7, Ethos Classical provides a high-quality, research-based educational experience grounded in literacy and the arts. The school intentionally integrates creativity, communication, and scholar expression into the academic experience to help scholars build confidence, independence, and joy in learning.

In grades K-4, scholars participate in daily arts instruction through Visual Arts, Music, and Dance. These experiences support social-emotional growth, creativity, collaboration, and interdisciplinary learning while helping scholars develop discipline and self-expression.

This year, Ethos Classical middle school scholars participated in enrichment courses including Visual Arts, Communication, and Spanish. These offerings provide scholars opportunities to strengthen public speaking, creative thinking, communication skills, and cultural awareness alongside rigorous academic instruction.

Bright Spots:
• 2026 Charter School of the Year
• 97% of kindergarten scholars ended the school year reading on or above grade level
• Daily arts instruction for elementary scholars
• Strong emphasis on literacy, creativity, and scholar confidence

Learn more: ethosclassical.org

The Museum School of East Dallas (K-8) in East Dallas, TX
Founded by 2023 BES Fellow Loren Colman; Opening 2026

Planning to open this fall, The Museum School of East Dallas will be the very first museum school in Texas. The school’s mission is to ignite joy for learning in all K-8 students through an extended day museum approach that ensures students are prepared to thrive in high school, college, career and military. 

The Museum School of East Dallas will incorporate a range of experiential learning opportunities into the curriculum—from learning expeditions and service projects, to outdoor education and project-based learning. These experiences will help students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as a sense of curiosity and wonder about the world around them. In addition to academic programs, the school will offer a range of extra curricular activities that allow students to explore their interests and discover their talents. They will offer a range of courses in math, science, social studies, and language arts, as well as elective courses in areas such as art, music, and technology. 

Starting in Pre-K, a range of programs will be offered to inspire a love of learning and help students develop the skills they need to succeed in the 21st century. When they reach the elementary grade level, students will build a strong foundation in STEM and Humanities while exploring their interests through a range of enrichment experiences. In middle school, students will broaden their curriculum and also engage in elective courses in areas such as art, music, and technology. 

Learn more about The Museum School of East Dallas: tmseastdallas.org

I Dream Big Academy (6-12) in Tuscaloosa, AL
Founded by 2023 BES Fellow Angela Lang; Opened in 2025

I Dream Big Charter School (IDB) opened in partnership with Stillman College and became Tuscaloosa’s first and only tuition-free charter school, Alabama’s first HBCU-Charter School partnership, and Alabama’s only Big Picture Learning school that provides a personalized, real-world learning model focused on student passions and career exploration.

As a Lab School, IDB builds academic excellence by incubating new ideas for student success, developing students’ curiosity about college, and allowing young teachers to train in live classroom environments. The idea of dreaming big encapsulates the essence of IDB’s mission to inspire every learner to recognize their unique gifts, relentlessly pursue their dreams, and become the best version of themselves. IDB provides a dynamic educational environment that blends rigorous academics with real-world experiences, fostering innovation, resilience, and a lifelong passion for learning. 

The student pathway moves through the school’s four tenets: passion, purpose, power, and perseverance. From 6th to 8th grade, students will tap into their interests, understand how their aptitudes align with their passions, and dive into college and career exploration. Through IDB’s partnership with Stillman College, students have a direct pathway to earn their associate’s degree. Upon entering high school, they are immediately enrolled as Stillman College students. In 11th grade, students complete an entrepreneurial program and launch, before ending their senior year with a semester-long internship. 

Key design elements at IDB include: 

• Degree Program Rotation: Students in grades 6-9 experience four-week rotations at Stillman College to observe labs, engage with professors and degree-seeking students, meet career experts, and participate in college research before selecting a Program of Study.
• Dual Enrollment Courses: Starting in grade 10, students will earn up to 30 credit hours as they engage in college-level course materials facilitated by Stillman College faculty to expose them to potential majors and academic materials.
• Technology: Middle and high school students interested in technology—including Cybersecurity & Amazon’s AWS Cloud—earn credentials, engage with software and tech programs, and further explore their college interests. They can begin working toward degrees in high-demand careers and gain access to Amazon’s job board where they can submit their credentials and be paired with the company for immediate employment after graduation.
• Intervention, Tutoring, and Mentoring Supports: In partnership with the Stillman College of Education, future educators will collaborate with IDB teachers to provide tutoring and academic support to students.

Learn more about I Dream Big Academy: idreambigcharter.com