BES Fellowship Testimonial 2025 BES Fellow Dr. Kimberly Gore (Atlanta, GA)

For nearly 25 years, BES Fellows have been designing, founding, and leading K-12 public schools that reflect and respond to community needs. In a span of four or five years, BES provides them with training and post-authorization support to ensure their schools start strong and sustain excellence over time. 

In addition to BES partnering with local and national partners who give additional support, our coaches help to guide Fellows in school design, governance, finance, operations, and more. 

Dr. Kimberly Gore is a 2025 BES Fellow in the Community Co-Design Track. Also supported by RedefinED Atlanta, she is the Proposed Founder & CEO of Zoe Academy in Atlanta, GA. Take a look below at what she had to say about her journey so far in the BES Fellowship. 

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Joining the BES Fellowship

“I joined BES because of its stellar reputation for building excellent schools that are not only high-performing, but intentionally designed to sustain over time. My respect for BES is grounded in firsthand experience. I previously served as a founding board chair for a BES Fellow, which allowed me to see up close the rigor, clarity, and values that guide BES’s work in developing strong leaders and schools.

Additionally, I was deeply engaged in the BES application process, during which I received truly exceptional support. The guidance, feedback, and care provided throughout the process reflected an organization that is both demanding and deeply committed to the success of its leaders. The interview process itself was intense, thoughtful, and highly intentional—challenging me to refine my vision, strengthen my leadership, and think critically about sustainability and impact.

That experience affirmed my desire to be part of the BES family as I work to launch Zoe Preparatory Academy. I am confident that BES’s proven approach, values, and commitment to excellence align powerfully with my mission, and I am eager to build alongside a community that holds high expectations while providing the support necessary to meet them.”

Key Learnings in School Leadership

“One of the most significant shifts in my leadership that emerged from my BES experience is a deeper understanding of the importance of building a school with the community rather than for the community. Through BES, I was challenged to examine my assumptions, slow down my thinking, and center the voices, lived experiences, and aspirations of the families and students I aim to serve.

This experience has strengthened my belief that sustainable, high-impact schools are not driven by a founder’s individual vision alone, but by authentic partnership and trust with the community. As a result, I now approach school design with greater humility and intentionality—ensuring that Zoe Preparatory Academy will be informed by what the community truly needs, not simply by what I believe they need.

BES has also given me increased confidence as a leader. The rigor, reflection, and feedback embedded in the experience have affirmed my ability to listen deeply, lead collaboratively, and make strategic decisions grounded in community input. I am confident that BES will continue to equip me with the knowledge, skills, and mindset necessary to cultivate a strong, mission-aligned community—one that has the power to change students’ trajectories and positively impact families for years to come.”

Support from BES

“BES provides a level of support that is both deeply intentional and highly actionable throughout my experience. One of the most impactful aspects of this support is my coaching relationship with Coach Hypolite. She consistently shows genuine investment in my growth as a leader and in my ability to build an excellent, sustainable school. Our weekly coaching sessions are thoughtful, challenging, and grounded in the real work of school design, and I leave each session with clear next steps that I can immediately implement in my school plan.

Beyond coaching, the broader BES staff shows up with an incredible level of accessibility and responsiveness. Every staff member I engage with is readily available to provide resources, guidance, and meaningful learning experiences that enhance my development as a fellow. Whether through feedback, connections, or tools, BES staff consistently demonstrate a commitment to meeting fellows where they are while holding them to a high standard.

This combination of personalized coaching and collective staff support creates an experience that feels both rigorous and affirming. It strengthens my confidence, sharpens my leadership, and reinforces my belief that I am supported by a team that is fully invested in my success and in the long-term impact of the school I am building.”

Proudest Moments

“As I reflect on my journey as a school leader, I am most proud of the meaningful connections and partnerships I am fostering with community members. I am deeply grateful for the trust, openness, and insight that the Forest Park community has shared with me throughout this process. Each conversation, engagement experience, and relationship has been an opportunity to listen, learn, and grow.

Through these engagements, I am gaining a deeper understanding of the Forest Park community, and that learning is actively informing how I am shaping Zoe Preparatory Academy. Rather than approaching this work from a place of assumption, I am building with intention and humility, ensuring that the school reflects the strengths, needs, and aspirations of the families it will serve.

These moments of authentic connection affirm my belief that lasting impact begins with strong relationships. I am proud of the foundation being laid for Zoe Preparatory Academy—one rooted in community partnership and gratitude—and confident that this approach will allow the school to have a meaningful and enduring impact on students and families for years to come.”

Empowering the Next Cohort of School Founders

“For anyone beginning their leadership journey with BES—or considering whether to take the leap—I would encourage them to approach the experience with deep intentionality and critical thinking. This work requires more than a strong vision; it demands a genuine love for the community and the families you are called to serve. Building with the community means truly listening, reflecting on what you hear, and being willing to make meaningful iterations based on the information and feedback you receive.

I would also encourage aspiring leaders to trust the process. BES will challenge you, stretch your thinking, and ask you to engage in deep reflection—but that rigor is what ultimately strengthens your leadership and your school design. Looking back, I wish someone had told me just how impactful and supportive the BES experience would be. The level of guidance, care, and intentional support far exceeded my expectations.

Honestly, I am not sure I would feel as prepared to launch Zoe Preparatory Academy without the BES Fellowship. The experience has strengthened my skills, sharpened my vision, and grounded my leadership in both strategy and community partnership. For anyone wondering whether BES is worth the investment, my advice is simple: take the chance. The growth, clarity, and confidence you gain are invaluable.”

Gratitude

“I am deeply grateful for the passion, care, and unwavering dedication of the BES staff. Their commitment to excellence, coupled with genuine investment in fellows as people and leaders, has made this experience both rigorous and affirming. The way they show up—with intention, encouragement, and high expectations—has left a lasting impression on me.

I am equally grateful for my colleagues in the fellowship. This community has become a true source of strength and inspiration. We celebrate one another’s joys and triumphs, navigate challenges together, and consistently lean on one another for support and encouragement. The relationships built through this experience are meaningful and sustaining.

More than anything, I feel truly blessed to have found an extended family through the BES Fellowship. This journey has reinforced my sense of purpose, deepened my gratitude, and reminded me of the power of community in leadership. It is an experience I will carry with me as I continue to build Zoe Preparatory Academy and grow as a school leader.”

Learn more about the BES Fellowship at bes.org/fellowship.