KIPP WAYS Charter and B.E.S.T. Academy team up to exchange best practices

APS is moving forward this year with a systemwide commitment to ensuring that schools, clusters, regions and departments exchange best practices.

Reflecting this spirit of collaboration, KIPP WAYS Charter School, in coordination with the APS Office of Innovation, recently received a grant through the federal Office of Innovation and Improvement. The purpose of the grant is to facilitate the sharing of best practices between high-performing charter schools and traditional schools. Under the grant, called the Charter School Exemplary Collaboration Award, seven grant recipients will share $1.2 million.

In partnership with the 100 Black Men of Atlanta, KIPP WAYS and B.E.S.T. Academy will use the two-year grant to expand the already existing relationship between them. The grant will support principal training, mentorship opportunities for students and professional development at B.E.S.T. Academy in order to increase academic achievement and to strengthen the school culture.

B.E.S.T. Academy students participate in their annual bow-tie ceremony. A new two-year grant will allow KIPP WAYS and B.E.S.T. Academy students to support and expand mentorship and academic programs within both schools.