Sixteen Success Academy scholars took on some of the nation’s toughest chess competition at the Junior High Championships in Atlanta, Georgia, earlier this month. They tested their skills and stayed focused over seven rounds. Sean O’Hanlon, SA senior manager of chess, noted that our scholars demonstrated high levels of effort and fortitude — even under […]

When Nolan McDaniel and Malik Sahabi first unveiled their poem — a thought-provoking spoken-word piece that they coauthored — it was in front of an auditorium packed with scholars, teachers, and families. They electrified their listeners, who snapped their fingers and cheered with enthusiasm at what turned out to be one of the highlights of the Success Academy Harlem Central Poetry Slam. Since then, the entire school has been talking about “Black Boy, White Man”.

This week, our trailblazing high school seniors were featured in the first of a two-part Wall Street Journal article examining our high school model (which you can learn more about by taking the high school virtual tour!).

During this year’s New York State Chess Championships, spectators likely saw a sea of Success Academy blue and orange: about one in eight competitors at the event was an SA scholar, with 135 participants representing 14 Success Academy schools.

The Performing Arts Showcase featured 11 acts — from musical theater performances and energetic dance routines, to upbeat choir songs and African drumming. Every group auditioned for the chance to represent their school at the showcase. Throughout the Showcase, scholars fused their passions for dance, song, and theater, with strong social messages about racial equality. We know you’ll be inspired as we were by their talent.

In August 2015, Angela Moyer joined the faculty of Success Academy Fort Greene as an elementary school psychologist. Now she works directly with scholars, teachers, school leadership, and families to develop strategies for scholars to grow and learn not just academically, but also socially, emotionally, and behaviorally. We recently spent a day with Angela to learn what it takes to to help children achieve the highest degree of success — inside and outside the classroom.

A group of scholars from Success Academy Bronx 2 Middle School made history last Tuesday, February 6, when they became the first-ever team from the SA network to qualify for the annual MATHCOUNTS state tournament in Albany.

Her son’s experience at Success Academy lead Janelle McCoy to join dozens of other New York City charter school families in Albany last week for a Day of Action. There, families met with elected officials and staff, told their stories, and rallied in the State Capitol building. Step inside Janelle’s trip to Albany and learn what it takes to advocate for children.

Last month, Success Academy Bronx 2 Middle School families watched their school transform into a museum during an exploration of science and humanities that featured the most attentive and knowledgeable docents in New York City — SA scholars!

This past weekend, Success Academy Myrtle Middle School scholars (above, with Coach Alex Beltre) became New York City chess champions in the Under 1100 division!

During the four-week stretch between Thanksgiving and Winter Recess, science classrooms across Success Academy middle schools are transformed into laboratories, middle school scholars into scientists, and teachers into research directors. The Science Exploratorium, a showcase of self-driven, inquiry-based projects, empowers scholars to put science and engineering into action.

Last week, 35 scholars from across the Success Academy network traveled to Orlando, Florida for some sunshine — and chess! Competing in the prestigious National K-12 Grade Championships, Success Academy improved from last year’s already stellar performance at both the individual and the team levels.

Veronica Wilson was thrilled when she learned that SA had a Leadership Fellows program that helps professionals from fields outside of education bring their skills to SA as school leaders and educators. L Fellows are mentored by their senior leaders and assume increasing responsibility during their first year in our schools. Last month, we accompanied Veronica as she went about her Monday at SA Bed Stuy MS. Join us and learn more about the L Fellow role through Veronica’s eyes.

Getting scholars to pay rapt attention during an assembly is no easy feat, but that’s exactly what the panelists at SA Upper West’s Veterans Day Community Circle were able to do. The event was the brain-child of Assistant Science Teacher, Juan Rosario, an Air Force Veteran of six years. Inspired by his scholars, he wanted to do something to help them understand why we celebrate Veterans Day—by meeting and hearing from real veterans.

William “Tunde” Osilaja joined Success Academy as a Business Operations Manager (BOM) in September 2016 at our Bronx 3 Middle School. BOMs report directly to our Principals and serve as key members of a school’s leadership team. On October 20, 2017, we accompanied Tunde as he went about his day as a Business Operations Manager.

With 112 chronically underutilized school buildings and a total of 65,000 empty seats available — parents are asking why is the city taking so long to find space for Success Academy middle schoolers. District families know what their middle school options are — why are Success parents treated differently?

This summer, our scholars are getting lost in great books for hours in the park, on the train, and at home.
Five Success Academy scholars dish on their favorite books of summer 2017 — and where they like to read.

All Success Academy rising 4th graders will be reading Cece Bell’s incredible graphic novel El Deafo this summer. We’re honored to share a special message from Cece about her enjoyment of reading — which developed with the help of some very special friends. We hope she inspires Success Academy families to find themselves in the pages of an amazing story this summer!

We spoke to Success Academy Hell’s Kitchen Education Manager Katie Walraven about her unique role at Success Academy, and what it takes to be a successful education manager.

Kwame Alexander, author of 24 books (and counting) and winner of numerous awards such as the 2015 John Newbery Medal for the Most Distinguished Contribution to American Literature for Children, shares some reading encouragement with Success Academy families. Happy #summerSOAR!

Last week, over 1,700 beaming scholars participated in Success Academy graduation ceremonies. From our kindergartners who discovered a thirst for learning to our eighth graders who will move on to high school next year, our graduates and their families had a lot to celebrate!

The SA Crown Heights Girls Group, the brainchild of special education teacher Cole Yaverbaum, offers scholars a place to discuss everything from racial inequality to friendships, to their future ambitions and social justice.

Joel Klein joined Success three years ago as an associate teacher in our Teacher Residency program. He quickly progressed to become the lead music teacher at SA Union Square, and has been putting his expertise and passion to work by introducing scholars to the world of notes and rhythm.

Success Academy Bronx 1 scholars had something besides the games to smile about at the school’s annual Field Day: They watched as their principal, Liz Vandlik, received the 2017 Ryan Award from the Accelerate Institute of Chicago!