I am excited to be able to serve the B.E.S.T. Academy Middle School
 family and community.  As a high school senior and tutor, I told my mother that I wanted to open my own school for boys.  Now two decades later, I have the opportunity to fulfill my all boys school dream.  Allow me to invite you to B.E.S.T. as we “Build OUR Culture of Excellence”.

The last two decades have prepared me to be the B.E.S.T. Academy Middle School principal.  I earned degrees and certifications from Morehouse College, the University of Michigan, and Kennesaw State University.  In addition, I have taught on the middle, high school, and college levels.  My all boys dream continued at Benjamin E. Mays High School where I served as Academy Leader of the Eagle Leadership Academy.  I then served as the B.E.S.T. Middle Dean. 

On a personal note, I am a husband and father of three daughters.  My goal is to create a school where I would be proud to send my own male children.  Each and every day, my daughters and I reflect on six truths that govern our actions.  Our sons will come to embody these very same principles.

If better is possible, then good is not enough.

Work hard, play hard.

Be the best that you can be.

Do what you have to do in order to do what you want to do.

Hard work pays off.

What goes around comes around.

The B.E.S.T. Academy will be the premier public school for educating inner city males in America.  Beginning this year, we will become the most improved school in the Atlanta Public Schools.  We shall achieve these goals by training and practicing excellence.  This journey to being the B.E.S.T. begins with first steps.  Our first steps will focus on data driven instruction and on creating a positive school culture.  We will be excellent in everything that we do—in the way that we act, look, and speak.

The B.E.S.T. Academy Middle School will produce 9^th graders who are transformed and transformative.  Our young men will know themselves, their roles in the community, and their roles in the world.  We are committed to producing young men who are ready for success in high school and in life..  Everyone will be able to identify a B.E.S.T. Man because he will possess these qualities:

Qualities of the B.E.S.T. Man

I am…Well Read

I am…Well Spoken

I am…Well Dressed

I am…Well Mannered

I am…My Brother’s Keeper

For our school to be the most improved school in Atlanta Public Schools, we steadfastly believe that all of our students will learn.  Our seven beliefs form our culture and the way we conduct ourselves. 

WE BELIEVE…

1. in providing a safe and nurturing environment;
2. in optimal teaching and learning, by incorporating various student learning styles;
3. data drives instruction and practices;
4. in an engaging and novel learning environment;
5. all students will learn;
6. the learning experience is a life-long process that extends outside of the classroom;
7. the family, school, and community working together are critical to the development of the B.E.S.T. man.

I believe our young men will achieve and work to Build OUR Culture of Excellence.  Join us in making this the B.E.S.T. experience.