The 2026 BES Fellowship for Founding School Leaders

About the role#

The BES Fellowship for Founding School Leaders is a multi-year program designed to prepare individuals to design, found, and lead a new public charter school. Fellows in Arizona will serve as Character and Equity Fellows, focusing on building a school model rooted in character and equity. The program begins in August 2026 with an intensive training year, followed by three years of Follow On Support to assist in the transition from founder to school leader. This is a full-time, paid position requiring a commitment to serve as a school leader in the proposed community for at least 10 years.

What you'll do#

• Design and found a new public charter school.
• Engage in over 300 hours of coursework covering school design, leadership, governance, community engagement, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Develop a charter application and establish a founding board.
• Conduct in-depth studies of effective schools and complete residencies at high-performing sites.
• Partner with a BES coach to refine project management and leadership skills, hire staff, and recruit students.
• Coach teachers and use data to drive academic success during the operational years of the school.

What you'll need#

• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s or Professional degree preferred).
• Minimum of 8 years of professional experience, including instructional or instructional leadership experience.
• At least 2 years of experience managing and supervising adults in a PreK-12 setting.
• A clear, compelling rationale for the proposed school location.
• Strong preference for candidates with 2-3 years of experience living or working in the proposed school region.
• Ability to establish and activate local connections to support school enrollment.
• Relevant academic background in fields such as Business Administration, Public Health, Psychology, Political Science, Sociology, Communications, History, or Human Resources.

Location & details#

• Location: Arizona (with particular interest in the metropolitan Phoenix area).
• Work Modality: On-site.
• Term: Starts Summer 2026.
• Compensation: $100,000 grant during the first year, with additional grants available for healthcare, school design expenses, and professional development.