National Impact

Through the BES Fellowship and ongoing coaching, BES-trained leaders start, support, and grow excellent schools.
BES Fellows have founded 200+ schools in 50 cities across 20 states and Washington DC, educating 63,000+ students. Check out the school websites to explore their results and the impact they are having in their community.

ACE Amandla Charter High School

Chicago, IL

Founder:
Erin Ferguson, 2006 Fellow

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Chicago Collegiate

Chicago, IL

Founder:
Beth Carrera Napleton, 2011 Fellow

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Great Lakes Academy

Chicago, IL

Founder:
Katherine Myers, 2012 Fellow

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ACE Preparatory Academy

Indianapolis, IN

Founder:
Anna Shults, 2014 Fellow

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Allegiant Preparatory Academy

Indianapolis, IN

Founder:
Rick Anderson, 2016 Fellow

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Circle City Prep

Indianapolis, IN

Founder:
Megan Murphy, 2015 Fellow

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Vanguard Collegiate of Indianapolis

Indianapolis, IN

Founder:
Robert Marshall, 2016 Fellow

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Achievement Prep

Washington, DC

Founder:
Shantelle Wright, 2006 Fellow

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Democracy Prep Public Schools

Washington, DC

Founder:
Seth Andrew, 2004 Fellow

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Advanced Math and Science Academy

Marlborough, MA

Founder:
Julia Sigalovsky, 2003 Fellow

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Argosy Collegiate

Fall River, MA

Founder:
Kristen Pavao, 2012 Fellow

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Berkshire Arts and Technology

North Adams, MA

Founder:
Simeon Stolzberg, 2002 Fellow

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Boston Prep

Boston, MA

Founder:
Scott McCue, 2002 Fellow

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Community Charter School of Cambridge

Cambridge, MA

Founder:
Emma Stellman, 2003 Fellow

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Excel Academy

Boston, MA

Founder:
Yutaka Tamura, 2002 Fellow

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Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy

Boston, MA

Founder:
Thomas Smith, 2001 Fellow

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Libertas Academy

Springfield, MA

Founder:
Modesto Montero, 2015 Fellow

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Phoenix Charter Academy

Chelsea, MA

Founder:
Beth Anderson, 2003 Fellow

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Salem Academy

Salem, MA

Founder:
Rachel Hunt, 2002 Fellow

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Springfield Lyceum College Prep

Springfield, MA

Founder:
Robert Acosta, 2019 Fellow

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Springfield Prep

Springfield, MA

Founder:
Bill Spirer, 2012 Fellow

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Springfield Realization Academy

Springfield, MA

Founder:
Hayden Lyons, 2020 Fellow

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Veritas Prep

Springfield, MA

Founder:
Rachel Romano, 2010 Fellow

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Akili Academy (part of Crescent City Schools)

New Orleans, LA

Founder:
Sean Gallagher, 2007 Fellow

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IDEA Bridge Academy (formerly Baton Rouge Bridge Academy)

Baton Rouge, LA

Founder:
Chloe Wiley, 2013 Fellow

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Baton Rouge University Prep

Baton Rouge, LA

Founder:
Meghan Turner, 2013 Fellow

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Democracy Prep Public Schools

Baton Rouge, LA

Founder:
Seth Andrew, 2004 Fellow

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Élan Academy

New Orleans, LA

Founder:
Melanie Askew, 2015 Fellow

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Foundation Preparatory

New Orleans, LA

Founder:
Myrialis King, 2013 Fellow

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Jefferson RISE

Jefferson Parish, LA

Founder:
Kathleen Sullivan, 2013 Fellow

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Laureate Academy

Jefferson Parish, LA

Founder:
Claire Heckerman, 2013 Fellow

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New Orleans College Prep

New Orleans, LA

Founder:
Ben Kleban, 2005 Fellow

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Albuquerque Collegiate

Albuquerque, NM

Founder:
Jade Rivera, 2016 Fellow

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Solare Collegiate

Albuquerque, NM

Founder:
Rachael Sewards, 2017 Fellow

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Voz Collegiate

Albuquerque, NM

Founder:
Isaac Rivas-Savell, 2018 Fellow

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ASU Preparatory Academy (formerly Phoenix Collegiate Academy)

Phoenix, AZ

Founder:
Rachel Bennett, 2007 Fellow

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Vista College Prep

Phoenix, AZ

Founder:
Julia Meyerson, 2011 Fellow

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Atlas Prep

Colorado Springs, CO

Founder:
Zachary McComsey, 2007 Fellow

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Ricardo Flores Magon Academy

Denver, CO

Founder:
Marcos Martinez, 2005 Fellow

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STRIVE Prep

Denver, CO

Founder:
Christopher Gibbons, 2004 Fellow

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University Prep

Denver, CO

Founder:
David Singer, 2009 Fellow

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Vega Collegiate Academy

Aurora, CO

Founder:
Kate Mullins, 2015 Fellow

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Aurora Collegiate Academy

Memphis, TN

Founder:
Ciji Pittman, 2010 Fellow

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Beacon College Prep

Memphis, TN

Founder:
Joseph Bolduc, 2018 Fellow

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Believe Memphis Academy

Memphis, TN

Founder:
Danny Song, 2016 Fellow

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Freedom Prep

Memphis, TN

Founder:
Roblin Webb, 2007 Fellow

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Intrepid College Prep

Nashville, TN

Founder:
Mia Howard, 2011 Fellow

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Leadership Prep

Memphis, TN

Founder:
Valissia Allen, 2013 Fellow

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Memphis College Prep

Memphis, TN

Founder:
Michael Whaley, 2008 Fellow

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Memphis Merit Academy

Memphis, TN

Founder:
Lakenna Booker, 2017 Fellow

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Memphis Rise Academy

Memphis, TN

Founder:
Jack Vuylsteke, 2012 Fellow

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Nashville Classical

Nashville, TN

Founder:
Charlie Friedman, 2011 Fellow

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Purpose Prep

Nashville, TN

Founder:
Lagra Newman, 2011 Fellow

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RePublic Schools

Nashville, TN

Founder:
Ravi Gupta & Linda Lentz, 2010 Fellows

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Veritas College Prep

Memphis, TN

Founder:
Tim Ware, 2008 Fellow

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Aurum Prep

Oakland, CA

Founder:
David Hardin, 2015 Fellow

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Capitol Collegiate

Sacramento, CA

Founder:
Penny Schwinn, 2009 Fellow

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Collegiate Charter High School

Los Angeles, CA

Founder:
Vanessa Jackson, 2013 BES Fellow

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Cornerstone Academy Preparatory (part of Alpha Public Schools)

San Jose, CA

Founder:
Shara Hegde, 2008 BES Fellow

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Crown Prep (part of STEM Prep Schools)

Los Angeles, CA

Founder:
Laura McGowan, 2008 Fellow

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Equitas Academy

Los Angeles, CA

Founder:
Malka Borrego, 2007 Fellow

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Hayward Collegiate

Hayward, CA

Founder:
Neena Goswamy, 2017 Fellow

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Invictus Academy of Richmond

Richmond, CA

Founder:
Gautam Thapar, 2016 Fellow

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KIPP Endeavor College Prep

Los Angeles, CA

Founder:
Michelle Jasso & Ted Morris, 2007 Fellows

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Libertas College Prep

Los Angeles, CA

Founder:
Anna Carlstone, 2013 Fellow

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The Mission Preparatory School

San Francisco, CA

Founder:
Jane Henzerling, 2009 Fellow

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Perseverance Prep

San Jose, CA

Founder:
Alex LeeNatali, 2016 Fellow

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Resolute Academy

Los Angeles, CA

Founder:
Natasha Barriga, 2012 Fellow

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Soleil Academy

Lynwood, CA

Founder:
Beatriz Gutierrez, 2016 Fellow

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Valiente College Prep

Los Angeles, CA

Founder:
Jacob Wertz, 2013 Fellow

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Valor Academy (part of Bright Star Schools)

Los Angeles , CA

Founder:
Hrag Hamalian, 2007 Fellow

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Vox Collegiate

Los Angeles, CA

Founder:
TyAnthony Davis, 2016 Fellow

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Bloom Academy

Houston, TX

Founder:
Courtney Sales, 2017 Fellow

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Compass Rose Academy

San Antonio, TX

Founder:
Paul Morrissey, 2015 BES Fellow

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Democracy Prep Public Schools

San Antonio, TX

Founder:
Seth Andrew, 2004 Fellow

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Elevate Collegiate

Houston, TX

Founder:
Rebecca Francis, 2018 Fellow

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Étoile Academy

Houston, TX

School Leader:
Kayleigh Colombero, 2016 Fellow

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Houston Classical

Houston, TX

Founder:
Deyvis Salazar, 2018 Fellow

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Prelude Preparatory

San Antonio, TX

Founder:
Lauren Lewis, 2018 Fellow

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Promesa Academy

San Antonio, TX

Founder:
Ambika Dani, 2017 Fellow

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Rêve Prep

Houston, TX

Founder:
Traci Thibodeaux, 2017 Fellow

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San Antonio Prep

San Antonio, TX

Founder:
Stephanie Hall Powell, 2018 Fellow

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BOLD Charter School

New York, NY

Founder:
Andrew Foglia, 2017 Fellow

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Brooklyn RISE

New York, NY

Founder:
Cary Finnegan, 2017 Fellow

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Buffalo Collegiate

Buffalo, NY

Founder:
Brian Pawloski, 2016 Fellow

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Buffalo Creek Academy

Buffalo, NY

Founder:
Christopher Manning, 2018 Fellow

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Classical Charter Schools

New York, NY

Founder:
Lester Long, 2004 Fellow

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Coney Island Prep

New York, NY

Founder:
Jacob Mnookin, 2007 Fellow

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Creo College Prep

New York, NY

Founder:
Ben Samuels-Kalow, 2017 Fellow

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Democracy Prep Public Schools

New York, NY

Founder:
Seth Andrew, 2004 Fellow

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Emblaze Academy

New York, NY

Founder:
Kristen Shroff, 2016 Fellow

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Forte Preparatory Academy

New York, NY

Founder:
Graham Browne, 2015 Fellow

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Harlem Link

New York, NY

Founder:
Steven Evangelista & Margaret Ryan, 2003 Fellows

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Ivy Hill Prep

New York, NY

Founder:
Ambrosia Johnson, 2017 Fellow

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Key Collegiate

Brooklyn, NY

Founder:
Katie Mazer, 2016 Fellow

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Leadership Prep (part of Uncommon Schools)

New York, NY

Founder:
Max Koltuv, 2004 Fellow

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Legacy College Prep

New York, NY

Founder:
Summer Schneider, 2015 Fellow

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PAVE Academy

New York, NY

Founder:
Spencer Robertson, 2005 Fellow

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Persistence Prep

Buffalo, NY

Founder:
Joelle Formato, 2016 Fellow

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Primary Hall

Buffalo, NY

Founder:
Arielle Peterson, 2018 Fellow

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Valence College Prep

New York, NY

Founder:
Mitchell Flax, 2017 Fellow

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Clarksdale Collegiate

Clarksdale, MS

Founder:
Amanda Johnson, 2016 Fellow

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RePublic Schools

Jackson, MS

Founder:
Ravi Gupta & Linda Lentz, 2010 Fellows

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College Bound Academy

Tulsa, OK

Founder:
Chelsea Vanacore, 2013 Fellow

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Collegiate Hall

Tulsa, OK

Founder:
Nikhil Kawlra, 2013 Fellow

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Tulsa Honor Academy

Tulsa, OK

Founder:
Elsie Urueta Pollock, 2013 Fellow

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Democracy Prep Public Schools

Camden, NJ

Founder:
Seth Andrew, 2004 Fellow

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Environment, Community, Opportunity School

Camden, NJ

Founder:
Antoinette Dendtler, 2003 Fellow

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Democracy Prep Public Schools

Las Vegas, NV

Founder:
Seth Andrew, 2004 Fellow

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Futuro Academy

Las Vegas, NV

Founder:
Ignacio Prado, 2015 BES Fellow

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Nevada Prep

Las Vegas, NV

Founder:
David Blodgett, 2016 Fellow

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Nevada Rise Academy

Las Vegas, NV

Founder:
Justin Brecht, 2016 Fellow

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Sage Collegiate Public Charter School

Las Vegas, NV

Founder:
Sandra Kinne
Grades:
K-8

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Ethos Classical

Atlanta, GA

Founder:
Emily Castillo Leon, 2015 Fellow

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Ivy Prep Academy

Atlanta, GA

Founder:
Nina Gilbert, 2006 Fellow

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KIPP STRIVE Academy

Atlanta, GA

Founder:
Ed Chang, 2006 Fellow

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Resurgence Hall

Atlanta, GA

Founder:
Tori Jackson Hines, 2015 Fellow

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Milwaukee Excellence

Milwaukee, WI

Founder:
Maurice Thomas, 2014 Fellow

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Stellar Elementary

Milwaukee, WI

Founder:
Melissa McGonegle, 2014 Fellow

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The Prep Schools

Cleveland, OH

Founder:
Marshall Emerson, 2005 Fellow

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United Schools Network

Columbus, OH

Founder:
Andrew Boy, 2006 Fellow

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RISE Prep Mayoral Academy

Woonsocket, RI

Founder:
Rosalind DaCruz, 2013 Fellow

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PAVE Southeast Raleigh Charter School

Raleigh, NC

Founder:
Spencer Robertson, 2005 Fellow

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, AL

In 2021-2022, 200+ schools in 50 cities across 20 states and Washington, DC, educated 63,000+ students.

 

Student Characteristics

44% Black
42% Latinx/Hispanic
6% White
5% Other
2% Asian
82% Qualify for free/reduced lunch
17% English language learners
14% Students with special needs

On average, public schools across the country enroll 15 percent Black and 26 percent Latinx/Hispanic students. In public schools nationwide, 52
percent of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, 10 percent are English language learners, and 14 percent have special needs. (See Source)

88% of leaders

who founded schools in the last ten
years are still leading their schools.

Approximately 2/3 of schools founded by BES leaders

outperform their local counterparts on state assessments.

83% of our 2021-2022 Fellowship cohort

identify as leaders of color.

Between 3-4% of applicants are accepted

to the BES Fellowship each year.

BES trains more than
250 leaders each year

through its leadership
development programs.

9 out of 10 charter applications submitted by BES Fellows

have been authorized nationwide.

New Schools

Listed below are BES Fellow-founded schools that opened in 2021.

Elevate Collegiate

Houston, TX

Grades: PreK-1, Growing to PreK-5
Website »

Prelude Preparatory

San Antonio, TX

Grades: PreK-2, Growing to PreK-8
Website »

Primary Hall

Buffalo, NY

Grades: K-1, Growing to K-5
Website »

Springfield Realization Academy

Springfield, MA

Grades: 6-8
Website »

Voz Collegiate

Albuquerque, NM

Grades: 6, Growing to 6-8
Website »