At Success Academy, Merit, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are not abstract ideals; they are embedded in our mission. We are in pursuit of academic excellence and scholar preparedness. We believe that true equity is only possible when paired with rigorous standards and a culture of merit — where excellence is expected, achievement is earned, and talent is developed and recognized, regardless of background.
Since our founding in 2006, we have worked to counter the deep inequities of a public education system that has failed to equip the majority of America’s children with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed today. By delivering a world-class education to children of color from low-income communities, we have not just closed the achievement gap — we have reversed it. Our scholars — primarily Black and Hispanic — consistently outperform not only their peers but also White and Asian students in affluent suburban school districts across New York State and the country. For the past eight consecutive years, 100 percent of our graduates have been accepted to 4-year colleges and universities, many of them to selective institutions and with robust financial aid packages.
We take the view that all children, given the right environment and support, can rise to meet — and exceed — the highest academic and character standards. Empowered by a Success Academy education, our scholars have gained access to elite colleges and career pathways once closed to them. This success is not the product of lowered standards, but of elevating all students through high expectations, insistence, and data-driven instruction.
Our approach is about removing barriers that prevent talented individuals from thriving. We are committed to ensuring that all students, staff, and families experience a culture of inclusion, but also one of accountability and excellence. In our schools, merit means recognizing productive struggle, rewarding curiosity and reasoning, and cultivating intrinsic motivation. It means that advancement — whether to the next grade, to college, or to leadership roles within our organization — is earned through demonstrated skill, impact, and perseverance.
We do not believe that students should settle for a diluted education. That is why we provide not only strong core instruction but also rich programming in the arts, sciences, chess, athletics, engineering, and debate. These opportunities reflect our belief that students should be prepared not just to get into college, but to lead in the world beyond it.
Likewise, we aim to be a national model for cultivating and promoting top talent among our staff, with a strong focus on growing diverse leadership from within. This reflects our conviction that merit and equity in education must extend beyond the classroom — into hiring, professional development, and long-term career pathways.
By centering merit within our inclusive framework, we are building not only a more just school system, but a more effective one. Our scholars deserve nothing less — and our society depends on it.
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