BES Fellowship: Apply Now for Future School Founding Opportunities

Are you ready to transform K-12 Education for the next generation of students?

Thank you for your interest in the BES Fellowship.

While Fellowship spots in our priority regions of Arkansas, Georgia, Ohio, and Tennessee are currently filled for the 2026 cohort, BES is continuing to identify exceptional leaders now who are committed to founding high-quality, community-responsive public charter schools in the future.

By completing the BES Fellowship application now, you will be considered for future opportunities as they become available. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and promising candidates may be invited to participate in initial screening or other early selection activities. This allows us to stay connected with prospective school founders and quickly engage qualified candidates if new spots in these regions open this cycle or a future year.

Who We Are

Strong schools are built by strong leaders. For 25 years, BES has identified and prepared excellent leaders to transform education in their communities.

Since 2001, BES Fellows have founded more than 220 public charter schools that are currently serving over 75,000 students nationwide. 

About the Fellowship

The BES Fellowship is a national school incubator for aspiring school founders. Each year, a cohort of BES Fellows embark on a multi-year process to design, found, and lead high-quality public schools that are deeply rooted in the communities they serve. 
Timelines and tracks are dependent on regional contexts, needs, and priorities. BES Fellows have varied start dates (August, October, and January) to accommodate different charter authorization deadlines across regions.

The BES Fellowship is a four- or five-year journey that consists of three stages:

Stage 1: Build

Fellows receive one or two years of pre-authorization training, coaching, and school study. In addition to completing their charter application, building a board, and participating in their capacity interview, Fellows engage in the following:

• 300+ hours of cohort-based and region-based training as well as individual coaching from a school design, governance, and finance and operations coach
• 20+ school studies at exemplary schools nationwide
• At least two extended residencies in schools with effective practices

Stage 2: Excel

Fellows engage in three years of dedicated post-authorization support (School Launch Support) to ensure that the school starts strong and sustains excellence over time. Consisting of 80-100 hours per year, they receive the following:

• Coaching: 1:1 coaching for the school founder, leadership team, governing board members, and other members of the founding school leadership team
• Support: on-site observations, artifact review, and additional resources
• Learning: in-person intensives, communities of practice, Fellowship Showcase presentations, and cohort-based virtual training on core topics including strategic planning, systems design, governance, financial management, hiring, and family engagement
• The opportunity to apply for BES start-up fund awards and/or those provided exclusively to Fellows by our partners

Stage 3: Sustain

Fellows complete the BES Fellowship and transition to Alumni status, maintaining access to resources, leadership development, and the broader BES community.

Why Apply Now?

By submitting your application now, you will:

• Complete your Fellowship application now in advance of future openings.
• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and promising candidates may be invited to participate in initial screening or other early selection activities.
• Not need to complete a new application should an opportunity arise during the active recruitment cycle. (Applicants may be asked to update information or complete additional selection activities based on the time elapsed or changed to the Fellowship selection process)
• Receive regular updates on future Fellowship opportunities, recruitment events, webinars, and BES updates.
• Submitting an application does not guarantee an interview or Fellowship placement. Applications will be reviewed as Fellowship opportunities become available and organizational needs evolve.

What We're Looking For

We seek leaders who demonstrate:

• Leadership and Results: A proven ability to lead teams, manage change, and deliver strong outcomes.
• Self-Awareness and Growth: A commitment to continuous learning and the ability to seek, receive, and implement feedback.
• Commitment to Community: Strong relationships within the community where they hope to found a school and a clear understanding of local needs.
• Equity-Centered Leadership: A commitment to serving historically underserved communities and advancing educational equity.
• Vision for School Leadership: A compelling vision for creating an excellent school where all students can thrive.
  
  

Qualifications

Preferred candidates typically possess:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum 8 years of professional experience, with instructional or instructional leadership experience
• At least 2 years managing and supervising adults in a PreK-12 setting
• Commitment to serving as a school leader in the proposed community for at least 10 years
• Ability to establish and activate local connections to support school enrollment
• Clear, compelling rationale for the proposed school location

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s or Professional degree
• At least 2 years of school leadership experience
• At least 2-3 years of experience living or working in the proposed school region, especially those with strong ties to the community

Compensation and Fellowship Benefits

Candidates selected for a future Fellowship opportunity may be eligible for:

• A $100,000 Fellowship grant during the first training year.
• Healthcare reimbursement of up to $6,000 for an individual healthcare plan or up to $8,000 for a family plan
• Travel and accommodations for training and during school study travel
• Reimbursement for up to $5,000 in moving expenses
• Reimbursements for school design expenses, design team expenses, or professional development (amount dependent on track)
• The opportunity to apply for BES start-up fund awards and/or those provided exclusively to Fellows by our partners

Specific Fellowship benefits and funding are subject to the terms of the Fellowship opportunity available at the time of selection.

What Happens Next?

After you submit your application:

1. Your application will be reviewed by the BES Recruitment Team.  
2. You may be invited to participate in the Fellowship selection process or update portions of your application if additional information is needed.
3. Receive regular updates on future Fellowship opportunities, recruitment events, webinars, and BES updates

Because spots each year are limited, we encourage interested candidates to apply early so they can receive priority consideration as Fellowship spots open.