Success Academy, a charter school network in New York, has recently outperformed public schools in statewide math assessments, according to the latest test score data for grades three through eight from the New York State Department of Education.
The organization announced it holds the top position in mathematics, with an impressive 96% of students passing. Additionally, it ranks second in English Language Arts, achieving a 92% pass rate, only slightly behind the Scarsdale Union Free School District.
Eva Moskowitz, the founder and CEO of Success Academy, expressed to Fox News Digital that despite being a charter school network, it functions similarly to a “district” since it serves over 22,000 students and offers district-level services.
“We examined various school results and thought, ‘How do we stack up against other districts out there?'” Moskowitz remarked.
There’s a notable growth trend among businesses that employ students to enroll in struggling school districts nationwide.
The New York State Department of Education recently released test scores, detailing the performance of students in K-12 school districts and charter schools across the state.
Success Academy’s achievements come as many schools face declines in both math and reading proficiency across the country. Data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress shows that only 39% of fourth graders and 28% of eighth graders assessed in 2024 scored proficient or above in math.
Founded in 2006, Success Academy is the fourth largest school district in New York, catering mainly to low-income Black and Hispanic students. Its academic success is notably contrasting with that of affluent districts like Scarsdale Union Free School District, where only about 10% of the student body identifies as Black or Hispanic, and none face economic hardship.
“It’s crucial to stop making excuses that exacerbate inequality and deny parents the right to quality education,” Moskowitz stated in a recent press release.
The Trump administration has made significant investments in charter schools as public school enrollments decline across the nation.
“Success Academy is dedicated to bridging the achievement gap, and we are consistently doing this at scale. Excellence should not be an exception; it should be the standard,” Moskowitz commented.
The New York State Department of Education has not responded to requests for comment from Fox News Digital.
Moskowitz’s remarks reflect a previous discussion with Fox News Digital two years back, where she mentioned ongoing challenges with teachers’ unions.
National reports indicate that public schools are receiving failing grades, prompting parents to seek better options.
Success Academy has faced hurdles in expanding its facilities, particularly when applying for co-location, due to resistance from the United Federation of Teachers (UFT). The union has initiated legal actions against the charter network, asserting that it challenges the co-location of two Success Academy schools in public school facilities in Queens and Brooklyn, primarily based on current state class size regulations.
It’s worth noting that Success Academy teachers are not affiliated with the UFT.
Critics often argue against charter schools, asserting that they compete with public schools for funding, as parents can choose to opt out of local public schools.
