Success Academy Tops NY Math Scores Amid Charter School Controversy

BREAKING: The New York charter school network, Success Academy, has just been confirmed as the top performer in state math rankings, boasting an astonishing 96% pass rate, according to new data from the New York State Education Department. This remarkable achievement is particularly striking as it comes amid a nationwide decline in student proficiency in math and reading.

Success Academy’s founder and CEO, Eva Moskowitz, criticized the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) for its silence regarding charter school expansions while actively blocking others. “It’s time we stop accepting excuses, exacerbating inequity, and denying parents access to quality education,” Moskowitz stated emphatically.

The newly released test scores for grades 3-8 reveal that Success Academy not only topped math rankings but also secured the second position in English Language Arts with a 92% pass rate, just one point shy of Scarsdale Union Free School District. This success highlights the charter network’s commitment to serving over 22,000 predominantly low-income Black and Hispanic students.

Following the test results, Moskowitz reflected on the network’s achievements: “Success Academy set out to reverse the achievement gap, and we are doing it — consistently, holistically, and at scale.” However, this success has not come without challenges. Success Academy has faced significant opposition from the UFT, which recently filed a lawsuit to block the co-location of two of its charter schools in public school buildings in Queens and Brooklyn. The UFT argues that the current state cap on class sizes should invalidate these co-locations.

Founded in 2006, Success Academy has rapidly grown to become the fourth-largest school district in New York. However, its relationship with traditional public schools remains contentious as charter schools often compete for the same funding, especially as public school enrollment declines nationwide.

While parents increasingly seek out options for quality education, the ongoing battle continues between charter schools and teachers unions, particularly as public school systems face declining student performance. The latest data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress highlights this trend, showing only 39% of fourth graders and 28% of eighth graders are performing at or above proficiency in math nationwide.

As the educational landscape evolves, the implications of Success Academy’s success could resonate far beyond New York, highlighting the ongoing discussions about educational equity and access.

Authorities have yet to respond to Moskowitz’s recent comments, but the urgency of these developments signals a critical moment for education reform and the future of public and charter schools alike.

Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.