Nashville’s first new all-girls college in over 70 years acknowledged among the many nation’s most progressive schooling suppliers.
Nationwide — B.E. Academy for Ladies, an impartial, culturally responsive STEAM college in Nashville, has been named a 2025 Yass Prize Contender. The popularity locations the varsity among the many nation’s most progressive schooling suppliers reworking the way forward for studying.
Often known as the “Pulitzer of Training Innovation,” the Yass Prize acknowledges faculties that exemplify the 4 STOP ideas — Sustainable, Transformational, Excellent, and Permissionless schooling.
Chosen from hundreds of candidates nationwide, B.E. Academy is one among solely 23 organizations named a contender this yr. Based in 2023, the varsity represents a historic milestone as Nashville’s first new all-girls establishment in additional than seven a long time — filling a essential hole in academic choices for households in search of identity-affirming environments for his or her daughters.
“For too lengthy, our ladies have been advised to suit into methods that weren’t constructed with them in thoughts,” mentioned Tee Wilson, Founder and CEO of B.E. Academy. “At B.E. Academy, we’ve constructed an area the place our ladies will not be solely seen — they’re celebrated. This recognition means the neighborhood is beginning to see what we’ve recognized all alongside: whenever you give ladies alternative, entry, and belonging, they soar.”
The varsity serves ladies in grades 5–12 with an emphasis on STEAM schooling, restorative social-emotional studying, and sisterhood. In only one yr, enrollment has grown from 13 to 39 college students, supported by a devoted school and greater than 40 neighborhood partnerships.
Sixty-five p.c of scholars come from under-resourced communities, benefiting from the Tennessee Training Financial savings Account (ESA) program, scholarships, and philanthropy.
For folks like Tasneem Tewogbola, selecting B.E. Academy for her daughter Azizah, a ninth grader, has been transformative.
“Earlier than B.E. Academy, Azizah wasn’t enthusiastic about going to highschool. Now she wakes up each morning with a smile on her face,” mentioned Tewogbola. “She’s thriving academically and socially as a result of she lastly appears like she belongs — like her voice issues. Faculty alternative gave her that freedom, and I’m so grateful for it.”
The Yass Prize celebrates schooling suppliers who push boundaries and redefine what is feasible in studying. Since its founding in 2021, the Yass Basis has awarded greater than
$46 million to organizations that exemplify innovation and braveness in schooling. Every year, one grand prize winner receives $1 million to broaden their affect, with all contenders becoming a member of a rising nationwide community of trailblazing faculties, nonprofits, and schooling entrepreneurs.
As B.E. Academy competes for the 2025 Yass Prize, the varsity continues to broaden its STEAM, arts, and entrepreneurship packages whereas partnering with native and nationwide organizations dedicated to academic fairness — proving that when coverage meets innovation, faculties like B.E. Academy thrive.
Concerning the Yass Prize
The Yass Prize for Sustainable, Transformational, Excellent, and Permissionless schooling celebrates progressive schooling suppliers throughout America who’re constructing daring, future-ready studying fashions. Based by Janine and Jeff Yass, the prize honors those that ship distinctive studying experiences that empower college students and households. Study extra at www.YassPrize.org
About
Based in 2023, B.E. Academy for Ladies (Past Excellence Academy) is a personal, nonprofit college in Nashville, Tennessee, devoted to remodeling ladies into assured, impartial thinkers by means of a culturally responsive, STEAM-focused schooling. The varsity’s mission is to transition ladies from dependent learners to impartial thinkers — making ready them for school, profession, or entrepreneurship whereas rooted within the values of sisterhood, respect, and accountability. Study extra at BecademyForGirls.org
For press inquiries, contact tee@beacademyforgirls.org Web site: www.beacademyforgirls.org
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