Skip to content
Press Releases

The latest from SA

NYC Public Charter Parents Call for Education Equality at Albany Day of Action

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, February 11, 2019**

 

Contact: Brian Whitley, 510-495-5542 Brian.Whitley@successacademies.org

Contact: Ann Powell, 646-894-6407 Ann.Powell@successacademies.org

NYC PUBLIC CHARTER PARENTS CALL FOR EDUCATION EQUALITY AT ALBANY DAY OF ACTION

Assemblyman Marcos Crespo and State Senator Kevin Parker addressed the crowd and cheered on families seeking high-quality schools for all

Families from South Bronx Classical Charter Schools, Public Prep, Brooklyn Emerging Leaders Academy, and Success Academy advocated for education equality at the state capitol

Albany, NY — More than 150 moms, dads, and students from South Bronx Classical Charter Schools, Public Prep charter schools, Brooklyn Emerging Leaders Academy, and Success Academy converged on the state Capitol today to share their stories with elected officials and deliver a loud-and-clear message: New York families believe in education equality and they want high-quality schools for all kids.

Together, the families met with dozens of elected leaders as part of a spirited kickoff to the Campaign for Educational Equality.  Two champions of education equality and parent choice, Assemblyman Marcos Crespo and Senator Kevin Parker, addressed the families.

“We know what our kids need. We know what our kids deserve,” said Assemblyman Crespo. “All kids deserve a great school.”

“Let’s treat them all the same. Wherever the child goes, let that per-pupil follow.”

Public charter schools in New York City serve 123,000 students, about 90% of whom are children of color and 80% of whom are from low-income households. They have dramatically expanded access to world-class education for families in the Bronx, Harlem, Central Brooklyn, and beyond.

Of the 50 highest-performing K-8 schools in the city, 37 are public charters. The city’s charters outperformed white students statewide -- not only closing decades-old opportunity gaps, but flipping them.

Among those who rallied and met with their elected officials:

Brianna Miller, a ninth grader at Brooklyn Emerging Leaders Academy, said she has received a great education at charters. “Charter schools are academically very strong. The teachers really push you,” she said. “Charter schools prepare you for life in college.”

“I’m grateful my children are both in charter schools,” said CharLinda Goromo, a parent at SA Harlem 3.  “My heart breaks to think other children are not getting a quality education. It is their right as children and our responsibility as parents of the community to fight for education equality.”

Laelena Brooks, a former teacher and assistant principal who is now the Director of Alumni Engagement and College Completion for Public Prep, said that all students deserve the same funding. “If we’re limiting that for a political reason, then the only people hurt by it are the kids.”

Families not only advocated for themselves, but also for the 53,000 children currently stuck on charter waiting lists across the five boroughs.

Despite the immense popularity and long, impressive track records of city charter schools, their students receive about $5,000 less per-pupil than the rest of NYC’s public schools and state law caps how many are allowed to operate.

###

ABOUT SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOLS

Founded in 2006, Success Academy Charter Schools are free public K-12 schools open to all children in the state through a random lottery. With 47 schools across Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens, Success Academy enrolls 17,000 students, primarily children of color from low-income households in disadvantaged neighborhoods: 74% receive free or reduced-price lunch, 94% are students of color, 16% have disabilities, and 8% are English language learners. Success Academy schools received more than 17,700 applications for 3,288 open seats for the 2018-19 academic year. For more information about Success Academy, go to Successacademies.org and virtualtour.successacademies.org.  

Enroll your child

We’re now accepting K-6 applications for the 2024-2025 school year. 

Apply Now

Work with us

Build your career while making an impact at Success Academy.

Teach