News
B.E.S.T. Admission Partners Networking Breakfast
April 11, 2025
B.E.S.T. welcomed colleagues from many of our admission partner schools and organizations – some new and some who have been with us for over a...
The Lion King at the Hippodrome Theatre
February 25, 2025
This past weekend, 50 B.E.S.T. students and family members attended an incredible performance of The Lion King at The Hippodrome Theatre France-Merrick Performing Arts Center....
B.E.S.T. Member School DEI Practitioners Gathering
February 11, 2025
Last week, B.E.S.T. convened Member School Diversity, Equity and Inclusion practitioners at Roland Park Country School (RPCS) for a morning focused on building connections and...
B.E.S.T. Young Alumni Luncheon
January 16, 2025
Last week, the B.E.S.T. staff hosted a lunch at Mt. Washington Tavern with several college-aged B.E.S.T. Alumni. Joined by B.E.S.T. Board President Karlo Young, attendees...
B.E.S.T. Family Holiday Party
December 12, 2024
Last weekend, B.E.S.T. students and their loved ones gathered at McDonogh School for our annual Family Holiday Party to enjoy festive cheer and celebrate the...
B.E.S.T. Leaders on Leadership Breakfast
November 18, 2024
On Thursday, November 7th, B.E.S.T. hosted its annual Leaders on Leadership Breakfast at The Center Club in Baltimore. The event was a poignant celebration, bringing...
B.E.S.T. College Admission FAQ Workshop and Campus Tour
October 20, 2024
B.E.S.T. Upper School students and their families joined us at Johns Hopkins University for a College Admissions FAQ Workshop and campus tour. Calvin Wise, Deputy...
B.E.S.T. Visits University of Maryland, College Park
October 4, 2024
Yesterday over 40 B.E.S.T. students joined us for a visit to University of Maryland College Park. The day included hearing from a panel of UMD...
& Juliet at the Hippodrome Theatre
September 26, 2024
Last Saturday, 38 B.E.S.T. Upper School students and their parents/caregivers were treated to the final dress rehearsal of & Juliet at The Hippodrome Theatre at...
B.E.S.T. Member School Networking Breakfast
August 21, 2024
Last Friday, colleagues from Admissions, Development, College Counseling, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Business and Financial Aid departments at B.E.S.T. Member Schools, along with Division Heads...
B.E.S.T. Summer Scholars 2024
August 1, 2024
This summer, our newly enrolled rising middle and upper school students took a significant step forward in their independent school journey by participating in our...
A Warm Welcome to our New B.E.S.T. Trustees
July 1, 2024
The Board of Trustees and Staff of B.E.S.T. welcome our new Trustees! We are delighted to work with these incredible leaders in support of the...
B.E.S.T. New Parent/Caregiver Welcome Dinner
June 18, 2024
Last week our newest B.E.S.T. parents and caregivers gathered at the Bryn Mawr School for an evening of conversation and community building as they prepare...
B.E.S.T. Summer Kick-Off Celebration
June 12, 2024
Last Week over 250 B.E.S.T. current, newly enrolled and college-aged Alumni families gathered at The Odyssey School to celebrate the end of the school year...
B.E.S.T. 2025-2026 ADMISSIONS SEASON IS NOW OPEN!
June 14, 2024
The 2025-2026 B.E.S.T. Admission Season is here! Now through September 30th, we are receiving applications for students seeking admission and financial aid for grades K-9...
5.2.24 B.E.S.T. Alumni Cocktail Party
May 2, 2024
Over 20 B.E.S.T. Alumni gathered for our annual spring cocktail party to reconnect with each other and hear updates from B.E.S.T. This year’s venue –...
B.E.S.T. Admission Partners Networking Breakfast
April 10, 2024
B.E.S.T. hosted colleagues from our admission partner schools and organizations for a conversation centered on the ways in which our partnership supports our shared students...
Member School College Counselor Roundtable
February 6, 2024
Last week, B.E.S.T. convened over 20 of our Member School College Counselors for a Breakfast Roundtable to reinforce the ways in which B.E.S.T. supports our...
The Color Purple with Special Guest, Ngozi Olandu-Young
January 16, 2024
Last weekend over 200 B.E.S.T. Students, Parents, Alumni, Trustees and Friends gathered for a private screening of The Color Purple at the Senator Theatre. Prior...
Kicking Off 2024 with our B.E.S.T. Young Alumni Luncheon
January 5, 2024
There was no better way to kick off 2024 than gathering with B.E.S.T. Young Alumni for our annual lunch at Mt. Washington Tavern. Alumni caught...
B.E.S.T. Family Holiday Party
December 11, 2023
Over the weekend, B.E.S.T. families gathered for our annual Family Holiday Party to share in some festive cheer and celebrate the Class of 2024 as...
B.E.S.T. Leaders on Leadership Breakfast
November 2, 2023
On Thursday, November 2nd, B.E.S.T. hosted our annual Leaders on Leadership Breakfast at The Center Club in Baltimore. This joyous occasion was celebrated by over...
College Admissions FAQ Program
October 8, 2023
B.E.S.T. Upper School students, parents and caregivers gathered for our College Admissions FAQ Program at Johns Hopkins University. Led by Deputy Dean of Admissions, Calvin...
The Wiz at the Hippodrome Theatre
September 25, 2023
This past weekend 37 B.E.S.T. Upper School students attended a spectacular performance of The Wiz at The Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center...
Member School Networking Breakfast
August 22, 2023
Last Friday our colleagues who serve in roles in Admissions, Development, College Counseling, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Financial Aid departments of B.E.S.T. Member Schools,...
B.E.S.T. Summer Scholars 2023
August 1, 2023
One of the highlights of the summer for B.E.S.T. is our annual Summer Scholars Program for newly enrolled, rising middle and upper school students. This summer, over...
B.E.S.T. Summer Kick-Off Celebration
June 27, 2023
We had so much fun earlier this month as 200 New, Current and Alumni B.E.S.T. Families gathered at The Odyssey School for a fun-filled evening...
B.E.S.T. New Parent & Caregiver Welcome Dinner
June 21, 2023
Over thirty newly enrolled B.E.S.T. parents and caregivers gathered at the Bryn Mawr School for our annual New Parent & Caregiver Welcome Dinner. The evening...
B.E.S.T. Alumni Cocktail Party
May 5, 2023
On Wednesday evening, over twenty B.E.S.T. Alumni gathered at Mt. Washington Tavern for an evening of networking and connection. Joined by B.E.S.T. Alumni Trustees, Josh...
B.E.S.T. Partners Networking Breakfast
April 14, 2023
Yesterday B.E.S.T. hosted our colleagues for a conversation centered on the ways in which our partnership can continue to support our shared students and their...
Honoring Black Leadership during Black History Month
February 13, 2023
Each year, the Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust’s hallmark event is our Leaders on Leadership Breakfast – a convening of our B.E.S.T. students, funders, and Black...
B.E.S.T. Young Alumni Luncheon
January 10, 2023
Last week, over twenty B.E.S.T. Alumni gathered to reconnect with each other and the B.E.S.T. staff for a complimentary lunch at Mt. Washington Tavern before...
B.E.S.T. Family Holiday Party & Class of 2023 Celebration
December 11, 2022
Sunday, December 11th was simply joyful as we celebrated the holiday season with 200 B.E.S.T. family members at our annual Holiday Party & Senior Celebration...
Leaders on Leadership Breakfast
November 17, 2022
November 3rd marked a momentous occasion for B.E.S.T. with the return of our annual Leaders on Leadership Breakfast at The Center Club. The B.E.S.T. community...
B.E.S.T. at Black Panther Wakanda Forever
November 14, 2022
Yesterday, over 100 Middle and Upper School B.E.S.T. Students and Parents gathered at the historic Senator Theatre to see the Marvel sequel, Black Panther Wakanda...
“College Admissions FAQ” Workshop featuring Calvin Wise and Paula Dofat
November 1, 2022
On Sunday, October 30th, 50 B.E.S.T. family members gathered on the campus of Johns Hopkins University for our “College Admissions FAQ” Workshop featuring Calvin Wise...
B.E.S.T. Visits University of Maryland, College Park
October 5, 2022
B.E.S.T. is pleased to offer college support programming for our upper school students and families, including visits to local colleges and universities. After two years...
New B.E.S.T. Board Member – Keyia Yalcin ’02
July 1, 2022
We are thrilled to announce that B.E.S.T. and St. Paul’s School for Girls Alumna, Keyia Yalcin ’02, has joined the B.E.S.T. Board of Trustees. Keyia...
Summer Kick-Off
June 13, 2022
We were thrilled to reunite with our B.E.S.T. Families and Alumni for an evening of fun, food and fellowship to kick-off the start of summer!...
New Parent/Caregiver Welcome Event
June 23, 2022
On Tuesday, June 22th, new B.E.S.T. parents/caregivers gathered for a Welcome Event at Bryn Mawr School. The event began with a welcome from Executive Director,...
B.E.S.T. 2023-2024 ADMISSIONS SEASON IS NOW OPEN!
June 16, 2022
B.E.S.T. has opened our admission season for the 2023-2024 academic year. Now through September 30th, we are receiving applications for students seeking admission and financial...
B.E.S.T. 2023-2024 ADMISSIONS SEASON IS NOW OPEN!
June 16, 2022
B.E.S.T. has opened our admission season for the 2023-2024 academic year. Now through September 30th, we are receiving applications for students seeking admission and financial...
B.E.S.T. Student Spring Updates
June 9, 2022
Jemyl B. participated in the National Parks trip through St. Paul’s over Spring Break. Lala C. ’30 performed as “Baloo” in the St. Paul’s production...
B.E.S.T. Students Inspired by connections made at the Honorable Mable Houze Hubbard Legacy Luncheon of the Alliance of Black Women Attorneys of Maryland
May 26, 2022
On Sunday, May 22nd, six B.E.S.T. Seniors and Juniors were invited to attend The Honorable Mabel Houze Hubbard Legacy Luncheon of the Alliance of Black...
B.E.S.T. Student Spring Updates
May 18, 2022
We love to hear what our B.E.S.T. students are up to – they make us so proud Kellsie L. ’23 visited several colleges this spring...
B.E.S.T. Visits our Bryn Mawr School Students
May 12, 2022
B.E.S.T. hosted a special gathering at Bryn Mawr School to celebrate our kindergarten – 12th grade B.E.S.T. students and strengthen this wonderful community within the...
B.E.S.T. Student Spring Updates
May 11, 2022
We always love to hear what our B.E.S.T. students are up to – they make us so proud! Arianna F. a 10th grader at The...
B.E.S.T. Admissions Season Opening June 15th
May 4, 2022
We are happy to share that our Admissions season for the 2023/2024 school year will begin on June 15th. Please fill out our online inquiry...
Karlo Young, Board President – Keynote Speaker at the Small Boarding Schools Association’s (SBSA) Annual Conference
March 25, 2022
B.E.S.T. Board President, Karlo Young delivered the keynote address at the Small Boarding Schools Association’s (SBSA) Annual Conference last week hosted at Garrison Forest School. ...
A Student-Driven Initiative – Rhyan G. ‘26
March 4, 2022
We couldn’t be more proud of the great work Rhyan G. ’26 is doing to serve the Bryn Mawr community! Rhyan was featured in an...
Alumni Spotlight – Rachel Chappell, The Park School of Baltimore ‘14
February 16, 2022
...
B.E.S.T. Celebrates our Alumni during Black History Month – and Always!
February 1, 2022
B.E.S.T. is excited to kickoff Black History Month by celebrating our 8 Alumni currently serving as faculty and administrators at our member schools. We are...
B.E.S.T. Family Holiday Drive Thru Celebration
December 6, 2021
On Sunday, December 5th, B.E.S.T. families were invited to kick off the holiday season at the B.E.S.T. Family Holiday Drive Thru Celebration hosted at the...
B.E.S.T.: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
November 1, 2021
Over the past two weeks, B.E.S.T. alumni convened over Zoom for conversations with B.E.S.T. staff and to hear an update on the internal and external...
“FAFSA & CSS Profile: Demystifying the Process” Virtual Info Session
October 14, 2021
On Saturday, October 9th, B.E.S.T. Senior families and parents from Gilman, Bryn Mawr and Roland Park Country School gathered virtually for the “FAFSA & CSS...
College Admissions FAQ: From SAT to Ivy League to HBCU
September 27, 2021
On Sunday afternoon, 30 B.E.S.T. family members gathered virtually for our College Admissions FAQ: From SAT to Ivy League to HBCU event to learn from...
B.E.S.T. Celebrates the Start of Summer at the Summer Kick-Off Drive-Thru
June 16, 2021
After a long 18 months, B.E.S.T. staff members and families were finally reunited at the Summer Kick-Off Drive-Thru! B.E.S.T. families drove through the beautiful Odyssey...
B.E.S.T. 2022-2023 ADMISSIONS SEASON IS NOW OPEN!
June 15, 2021
B.E.S.T. has opened our admission season for the 2022-2023 academic year. Now through September 30th, we are receiving applications for students seeking admission and financial...
Alumni Zoom Series: Cooking Class with Keyia Yalcin ’02
May 17, 2021
In the second session of our Alumni Zoom Series, Keyia Yalcin ’02 (St. Paul’s School for Girls) shared her chef skills with fellow B.E.S.T. Alumni,...
Virtual Book Talk on Five Days: The Fiery Reckoning of an American City by Wes Moore and Erica L. Green
April 25, 2021
Through the Molly Hathaway Young Women’s and Redmond C.S. Finney Young Men’s Leadership Programs, B.E.S.T. had the wonderful opportunity to send each upper school student...
Alumni Zoom Series: Finance 101 with Josh Perry ’02 and Victor Abiamiri ’03
April 15, 2021
In the first session of our Alumni Zoom Series, Josh Perry ’02 (Calvert School and McDonogh School) and Victor Abiamiri ’03 (Gilman School) shared their...
B.E.S.T. Upper School Families Virtually Visit 3 Universities Over Spring Break
March 23, 2021
Over Spring Break, our upper school students and parents participated in three virtual college tours and information sessions. From the comfort of their own homes,...
Thanks-for-Giving Tuesday: Our 2020 Annual Report
December 1, 2020
Thank you for supporting our work in fiscal year 2020 with a gift to the annual fund, with your time or with your expertise as...
We Are Thankful for Our Alumni: Darryl Jordan ’99
November 19, 2020
Darryl Jordan ’99 Gilman School Choir Director and Voice Teacher, Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School Director of Music Education & Adjunct Lecturer in Voice, Nyack...
Summer Scholars 2020 Successfully Champion Lillie Carroll Jackson
September 3, 2020
This year’s Summer Scholars took on the hard work of historians to research and bring attention to a very important historical figure, Lillie Carroll Jackson....
B.E.S.T. Trustee Emeritus, Stuart O. Simms, Joins Maryland Legal Aid as New Chief Counsel
August 25, 2020
We are very happy to announce that B.E.S.T. Trustee Emeritus, Stuart O. Simms, has accepted the position of Chief Counsel at Maryland Legal Aid. In...
Congratulations to B.E.S.T. Community Trustee, and Park School and B.E.S.T. Alumna, Nikki Hasselbarth Kerman ’04!
August 24, 2020
We are so proud to announce that B.E.S.T. Community Trustee, and Park School and B.E.S.T. ’04 Alumna, Nikki Hasselbarth Kerman, has been selected as one...
We Welcome the Class of 2020 to the B.E.S.T. Alumni Community!
August 18, 2020
To congratulate the Class of 2020 on a successful final year of Upper School, we sent them t-shirts from their new colleges and universities! We...
2020 B.E.S.T. Family and Alumni-Owned Business Directory
July 9, 2020
With services ranging from beauty and self-care, to real estate sales and investments, we are happy to present a directory of B.E.S.T. Family and Alumni-owned...
B.E.S.T. Kicks Off Virtual Summer Scholars 2020!
July 6, 2020
With Summer Scholars 2020 looking a little different this year, B.E.S.T. provided a socially distant “drive through” supply pick-up for our newest 6th – 9th...
B.E.S.T. 2021-2022 Admissions Season is Now Open!
July 2, 2020
B.E.S.T. has opened our admission season for the 2021-2022 academic year. Now through September 30th, we are receiving applications for students seeking admission and financial...
B.E.S.T. Celebrates McDonogh Senior, Sam Mumford ’20!
May 14, 2020
In his remarks at what would have been the McDonogh Scholarship Luncheon, Sam Mumford ’20, reflected fondly on his time at McDonogh. He thanked his...
B.E.S.T. is Here for our Families
March 23, 2020
While the B.E.S.T. office is temporarily closed, the staff team is working remotely to ensure that we can be of full support to our students...
Brunch with our College-Aged Alumni at Miss Shirley’s
January 3, 2020
B.E.S.T. kicked off the New Year with nearly 20 college-aged B.E.S.T. Alumni gathering for brunch at Miss Shirley’s. Boys’ Latin School of Maryland, Bryn Mawr...
Annual B.E.S.T. Family Holiday Party
December 7, 2019
Over the weekend, 158 B.E.S.T. students and family members kicked off the Holidays with the Annual B.E.S.T. Family Holiday Party. It was an afternoon of...
B.E.S.T.’s 2019 Annual Report
December 5, 2019
We are thrilled to share our 2019 Annual Report, highlighting our many successes! Thank you to all of our supporters who make our work possible....
B.E.S.T. Alumni Networking Cocktail Party
November 21, 2019
Nearly 30 B.E.S.T. Alumni gathered at Mt. Washington Tavern for a B.E.S.T. Alumni Cocktail Party to network, reconnect with old friends, and learn more about...
7th Annual Leaders on Leadership Breakfast
November 7, 2019
What a wonderful morning for B.E.S.T.! Nearly 100 B.E.S.T. Upper School students gathered with 90 civic and community leaders at the Center Club in downtown...
B.E.S.T. Hosts a Private Screening of Harriet at the Charles Theatre
November 10, 2019
On Sunday, November 10th, over 100 B.E.S.T. 8th – 12th graders and their family members attended a private screening of the biographical film about slave-turned-activist, Harriet Tubman....
Paula Dofat’s “Maximizing the College Counseling Experience” Talk
October 20, 2019
On Sunday, October 20th nearly 50 upper school students and parents gathered at Calvert School for Paula Dofat’s “Maximizing the College Counseling Experience” event. Families spent...
FAFSA / CSS Profile Workshop at Gilman
October 12, 2019
On Saturday, October 12th current B.E.S.T. Senior parents and B.E.S.T. Alumni parents spent the morning at Gilman School participating in the annual FAFSA / CSS Profile...
B.E.S.T. Takes a Tour of the National Aquarium
September 7, 2019
76 B.E.S.T. lower and middle school students and family members enjoyed a day at the National Aquarium in Baltimore! It was a fantastic way to...
B.E.S.T. Celebrates Heading Back to School
August 15, 2019
With the start of school quickly approaching, nearly 200 B.E.S.T. students, parents, siblings and Alumni gathered to celebrate the start of the 2019-2020 school year...
B.E.S.T. Member School Networking Breakfast
August 14, 2019
Each August, B.E.S.T. hosts a Member School Networking Breakfast, bringing together those individuals who have roles in Admissions, Diversity and Inclusion, College Counseling, and Alumni...
B.E.S.T. Summer Scholars 2019
August 7, 2019
For five weeks during June and July, B.E.S.T. hosted our annual academic enrichment and transition program for 25 newly enrolled, rising middle and upper school...
In Memory of Redmond C.S. Finney, B.E.S.T. Co-Founder and Trustee Emeritus
August 1, 2019
The Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust (B.E.S.T.), and all of us fortunate enough to work with Mr. Finney in the achievement of B.E.S.T.’s mission, are forever...
B.E.S.T. Sees “The Lion King” at The Senator
July 27, 2019
On Saturday, July 27th, B.E.S.T. 5th – 12th graders and their family members attended a private screening of the 2019 computer-animated version of The Lion King...
Hamilton at The Hippodrome Theatre
July 14, 2019
On Sunday, July 14th, ten rising B.E.S.T. seniors spent the evening at the Hippodrome Theatre for a live performance of the Broadway hit, Hamilton. Students...
New Parent Welcome Night
June 20, 2019
On Thursday, June 20th, 49 new B.E.S.T. parents and family members gathered for a Welcome Dinner at Bryn Mawr School. The event began with a...
B.E.S.T. Families Take a Tour of Howard University
June 18, 2019
With summer in full swing, 51 of our rising B.E.S.T. 9th-12th grade students and their parents attended a tour of Howard University in Washington, D.C....
B.E.S.T. Family Day at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
June 15, 2019
On Saturday, June 15th, 65 B.E.S.T. lower and middle school students and family members enjoyed a day at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. It was...
Farewell and Thank You to Board Member, Penny Bach Evins
May 9, 2019
At a Breakfast Celebration following the final Board of Trustees meeting for Fiscal Year 2019, we honored outgoing Trustee, Penny Bach Evins, Head of St....
