The BEST Community The Building Educational Success Together (BEST) is a community of practice – with partners supporting each other in work towards a vision where all children learn in school buildings that are safe and educationally adequate and that serve as community anchors in vibrant, healthy neighborhoods.

Through regular meetings BEST develops ideas and strategies to further policies and use of best practices in school facility planning, design, construction, management and funding. In addition, we define and develop research and communications priorities for current and future projects. Our “culture of collaboration” has been critical to our individual and collective successes and ongoing growth.

The BEST Strategy: BEST engages in a multifaceted strategy to improve urban public schools in low income communities. BEST focuses on the relationship between public school buildings and education and community. BEST partners work together and individually to:

• Develop a comprehensive, coherent, and practical strategy for systemic improvement of urban public school facilities.

• Identify and develop effective policies that support public engagement, broad community use of public schools, efficient management, effective oversight, and adequate and equitable funding.

• Create new knowledge through research on how facilities affect academic outcomes and community vitality.

• Influence policy and practice through local community engagement.

• Share our knowledge through publications, this web site, media coverage and presentations and panels.