Charter schools are really making a mark.
A recent analysis shows that over half of the top 100 schools in New York City, based on state test scores in math and English, are charter schools. This is significant considering that the city’s 285 charter schools account for just 15% of the approximately 1,900 public schools under the Department of Education.
Supporters argue that these results could encourage state lawmakers to lift restrictions on new charter schools in the boroughs. Eva Moskowitz, Founder and CEO of Success Academy, stated, “These results prove what we’ve always known: all children can excel if they have access to a quality education.” She emphasized the need to move away from the existing status quo and promote school models that effectively benefit students.
The analysis from Free Beacon highlighted that 59 of the top 100 math schools and 53 of the top 100 English language arts schools in the city are charter institutions, according to the state’s 2025 tests for grades three to eight.
Charters serve around 150,500 students, which is about 15% of the roughly one million public school students in New York City. Many of these charter schools cater to economically disadvantaged students in low-income, minority neighborhoods, like parts of the South Bronx.
Notably, Success Academy charters account for nine out of the top twelve schools that achieved 100% on the math exam. In the English exam, six out of the top twelve schools had pass rates between 99% and 100%.
When looking at overall state math exam results, around 69% of charter school students scored proficient, while only 57% of traditional public school students did the same. For the English language arts exams, the numbers were 67% for charters versus 56% for traditional schools. Furthermore, Black and Hispanic students attending charter schools scored over 20 percentage points higher than their peers in traditional schools.
James Merriman, CEO of the New York Charter School Center, remarked on this achievement, noting that artificial caps keep many children from access to these successful schools. He said, “This is a true New York City success story and one we should all celebrate.”
Despite these impressive outcomes, the state has imposed limits on the number of charter schools permitted in the city, and that cap has already been reached. Joseph Bellack, chairman of the State University of New York Charter School Commission, argued for the removal of these caps, stating they restrict parental choice and that there’s a noticeable gap between legislators and the community on this matter.
However, Mayor Zoran Mamdani, who has a history in state legislation, opposes expanding charter schools. Critics, including teachers’ unions, argue that charters pull resources from traditional schools and often do not serve many students who need it most. Alison Gender, a spokeswoman for the American Federation of Teachers, commented, “Too many charters are displacing their most vulnerable students,” insisting that charters must accept all students before any expansion can be discussed.
Charter advocates counter these claims, citing that about 83% of charter school students are economically disadvantaged, and many deal with challenges such as temporary housing. Though they receive public funding, charter schools operate privately, typically running longer school days and years than their traditional counterparts. Unlike traditional public schools, most charter school teachers do not have union representation.
State Republican Party Chairman Ed Cox remarked that the results highlight the effectiveness of charter schools, attributing resistance from Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul to pressure from teachers’ unions. He asserted that the data invalidates the arguments against charter schools, while also reflecting on legislation from former Governor George Pataki that allowed charter schools in New York back in 1998. Cox concluded by saying that charter schools are a crucial part of closing the achievement gap and providing choice to parents.
State Senator John Lieu, who is against the growth of charter schools, did not provide immediate comments on the findings.
