As our scholars, staff, and families enjoy the holiday season and winter break, we want to express our gratitude for everyone who is working together to build magical schools for our kids. You’ve created a community that wants for all children what we would want for our own; in fact, there are almost 60 of you who are so committed to our schools that you are both employees and Success Academy parents!

In total, there are nine children in my family attending Success Academy this year. Eight of them are at SA Harlem 5, and my eldest just started sixth grade at SA Harlem West. We almost “bleed” blue and orange, and love celebrating together with the group picture at both the start and the end of the year!

When my daughter, Sofia, started third grade earlier this year at Success Academy Bensonhurst, I was nervous. Third grade — that means the start of state testing. And while I knew that Success Academy scholars generally do very well on these tests, I was concerned that “test prep” was all she would get out of […]

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 week, hundreds of charter school parents gathered in Brooklyn’s Cadman Plaza to advocate for educational equality across the city. Cynthia Cummings, a parent at Success Academy Bed Stuy 1 and Success Academy Bed Stuy Middle School, shared her story at the event.

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?

Parent Susana Taveras was thrilled when she found out that Success Academy won the right to once again provide pre-K in New York City free of interference from the Department of Education.

It’s safe to say my family loves the game of chess. Whether my son Aston is challenging an adult chess player at Washington Square Park, or my daughter is asking me to review her opening moves after a tournament game, chess is often the focus of our free time. My kids are learning so much through SA’s chess program — and so am I!

Last year, I did something I had never done before: I wrote a petition and put it on Change.org. I did this because my daughter’s pre-kindergarten class, where she had grown and learned so much, was being forced to shut down.

This school year, my husband and I have spent many weekends supporting our son Henry as he debates topics like the Cuban trade embargo and immigration at middle school debate tournaments around NYC.

If you had dropped by Success Academy Bensonhurst last Wednesday, you would have been in for quite a treat: Music, dance — and even magic tricks — from countries like China, Georgia, and Russia filled the auditorium during our school’s first ever Multicultural Week Talent Show.

Estoy tan orgulloso de la curiosidad por aprender que César a desarrollado. Como estudiante en México, no tomé la ciencia hasta que tenía 12 años. César tiene ciencia todos los días por 45 minutos. Cuando vamos a las tiendas, él ya no quiere juguetes – lo que quiere son artículos para hacer un experimento científico.

Chess is an essential component of SA’s school design starting in Kindergarten, and the program creates super-fans

Last month, parents at my daughter’s school, SA Washington Heights, gathered in the auditorium to hear Ms. DePalo explain why Success Academy and other charter schools are marching in Prospect Park on September 28.

My name is Wayne Jackson, and I am the proud father of a scholar at SA Bronx 2.

But thanks to the red tape you have rolled out to prevent Success from doing its work, we learned today that the organization has been forced to cancel its pre-k classes, costing our kids the opportunity to have a strong education foundation.

In fact, when I tried to thank Olive for coming up with her brilliant idea, she said, “Don’t thank me. Thank science!”

To have a wonderful teacher is amazing; to have two wonderful teachers is a dream come true. But to have an awesome staff is beyond anything that words could begin to describe.

I was studying for my nursing exam and couldn’t be interrupted, so I told her to read a book. “I’m not reading a book,” she said. “I’m going to write one.”

When I heard that that the Reyeses had first considered a gifted program for their son, I wanted to know more.

Recently, I was proud of my daughter for making the most of a special opportunity to give back to her community and help a group of younger scholars.

We have a lot of respect for Mr. Blake, and I wanted to find out how he does it, why he chose Success, and what advice he has for other families.

I am one of the many parents who are in full support of Success Academy and its teachers.

I would like to see the Times spend a few days at Success Academy Williamsburg, where my daughter attends fourth grade, so a reporter could see the magic that happens there daily.