Here’s a bold statement: One charter school network in New York is challenging everything we thought we knew about academic achievement—and it’s leaving traditional public schools in the dust. Success Academy, a K-12 charter network serving over 22,000 predominantly low-income Black and Hispanic students, has just claimed the top spot in statewide math rankings, according to the New York State Education Department’s latest test score data for grades 3–8. But here’s where it gets controversial: with a staggering 96% of students passing, Success Academy didn’t just outperform public schools—it outshone even the state’s wealthiest districts, including Scarsdale Union Free School District, where economic disadvantage is virtually nonexistent. And this is the part most people miss: Success Academy also ranked second in English Language Arts, trailing Scarsdale by just one percentage point.
Founded in 2006, Success Academy has become the fourth-largest school district in New York, though it operates as a charter network. Eva Moskowitz, the network’s founder and CEO, emphasizes that they view themselves as a “school district” due to their scale and the district-level services they provide. In a recent statement, Moskowitz challenged the status quo: “It’s time we stop accepting excuses, exacerbating inequity, and denying parents access to quality education.” Her words are a direct call to action, but they also spark a heated debate: Can charter schools truly bridge the achievement gap, or do they simply siphon resources from public schools? What do you think?
Success Academy’s triumph comes at a critical moment. Nationwide, math and reading proficiency rates are plummeting. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, only 39% of fourth-graders and 28% of eighth-graders performed at or above proficiency in math in 2024. Against this backdrop, Success Academy’s 96% pass rate isn’t just impressive—it’s revolutionary. But the network’s success hasn’t come without pushback. Teachers unions, particularly the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), have fiercely opposed Success Academy’s expansion efforts, filing lawsuits to block co-locations in public school buildings. The UFT argues that charter schools like Success Academy undermine public education by competing for per-pupil funding. Is this a fair criticism, or are unions protecting their interests at the expense of student success?
Moskowitz has been vocal about these challenges, framing the battle as one for educational equity. “Success Academy set out to reverse the achievement gap, and we are doing it—consistently, holistically, and at scale,” she said. “But excellence shouldn’t be the exception; it should be the expectation.” Her vision is bold, but it raises questions: Can charter schools like Success Academy be scaled nationwide, or are they a unique success story? And what does their achievement mean for the future of public education?
As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: Success Academy has forced us to rethink what’s possible in education. Whether you see it as a beacon of hope or a disruptive force, its success demands attention—and action. What’s your take? Are charter schools the future, or do they pose a threat to public education? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments.
