The 2026 BES Fellowship for Founding School Leaders - Workforce Development Schools in Atlanta

About the role#

The BES Fellowship for Founding School Leaders is a multi-year program designed to identify and prepare individuals to build, launch, and sustain high-performing schools. Fellows undergo an intensive training year followed by ongoing support to navigate school design, charter authorization, and operational leadership. Please note that current Atlanta placements are filled, and applications are being accepted for an active waitlist should additional opportunities arise for the 2026 or 2027 cohorts.

What you'll do#

• Engage in over 300 hours of coursework covering school design, leadership, governance, and community engagement.
• Partner with a BES coach to refine project management and leadership skills, hire staff, and recruit students.
• Establish a founding board and develop a comprehensive charter application.
• Coach teachers and utilize data to drive academic success during the initial operational years.
• Deepen academic focus and build leadership capacity to support long-term school growth.

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.
• A 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.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage for results, and engage with community stakeholders.

Location & details#

• Location: Atlanta, Georgia.
• Work Modality: On-site.
• Employment Type: Full-time, paid contract role.
• Selection Process: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.