The B.E.S.T. Academy

The B.E.S.T. Academy at Benjamin S. Carson (BEST) was opened in Atlanta, Georgia in August 2007. For a short time the academy was simply referred to as "the boys' single gender academy," but was later named by its first principal, Curt R. Green in honor of the renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Benjamin S. Carson. B.E.S.T. is an acronym for Business, Engineering, Science, and Technology.

At its inception, the school served boys in grade 6 with plans for expansion to grade 12 by 2013. The B.E.S.T. Academy is a public school in the Atlanta Public Schools system.

Single Gender Education

The B.E.S.T. academy was initiated by Atlanta Public Schools based on the research of Michael Gurian, who asserts that girls and boys have different learning styles. To this effect, teachers at BEST employ teaching strategies that are geared toward the general learning styles of boys.

Curriculum

The students at BEST are immersed in a rigorous academic curriculum, which includes language arts, social studies, reading, math, and science.

Connections

Students at BEST have an opportunity to take various connections classes. These classes include:
-Chorus
-Band
-Strings
-Art
-Business Education and Computer Technology
-Heath & Physical Education
-Spanish

Extracurricular Activities

The following extracurricular activities are offered at BEST:
-Football
-Basketball
-Track and Field
-Debate Team
-Robotics
-Afterschool Allstars
-Baseball

Further reading

• Thomas-Whitfield, Chandra. "B.E.S.T. Men: Atlanta’s All-Male Academy Seeks To Close Achievement Gap." Juvenile Justice Information Exchange. January 3, 2011.

Coordinates: 33°46′28.61″N 84°26′52.56″W / 33.7746139°N 84.4479333°W / 33.7746139; -84.4479333