The 2026 BES Fellowship for Founding School Leaders - Arkansas

About the role#

The BES Fellowship is a multi-year program designed to prepare leaders to build, found, and lead high-achieving public charter schools. Fellows undergo an intensive training year followed by three years of follow-on support to ensure the launch of a sustainable, locally responsive school that meets the needs of its community. This role is specifically for leaders interested in founding schools in Arkansas, with particular interest in Greater Little Rock, Fort Smith, or Jonesboro.

What you'll do#

• Engage in over 300 hours of coursework covering school design, leadership, governance, and community engagement.
• Conduct in-depth studies of effective schools across the nation and complete residencies at high-performing sites.
• Develop a charter application and establish a founding board during the training year.
• Partner with a BES coach to refine project management skills, hire staff, and recruit students.
• Transition from founder to school leader by launching the school, coaching teachers, and using data to drive academic success.

What you'll need#

• Bachelor’s degree required; 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.
• Commitment to serving as a school leader in the proposed community for at least 10 years.
• Strong preference for candidates with 2-3 years of experience living or working in the proposed school region.
• Ability to establish local connections to support school enrollment.

Location & details#

• Location: Arkansas, United States.
• Modality: On-site.
• Term: Starts August 2026.
• Status: Full-time, paid fellowship with a $100,000 grant during the first year.
• Additional support includes health reimbursements, travel/accommodation coverage for training, and partial reimbursement for moving and school design expenses.