New Charter School Opens in South Brooklyn
After a long wait, South Brooklyn is finally opening its first charter school on Monday. The Math, Engineering and Science Academy (MESA) Charter High School in Dyker Heights will welcome its inaugural class of 125 ninth graders, including Serena, daughter of Bayridge resident Michael Crucio.
“I want to go to charter school but I don’t have the opportunity,” Crucio expressed, noting the need for more personalized attention for students. “Charter schools offer more individual focus. They challenge the kids more.”
Selina, another student, emphasized the approach to learning at MESA: “They focus more on growth and learning from mistakes rather than just numbers.” This perspective aligns with the school’s goal of fostering a growth mindset.
There’s been quite a buzz about MESA II, which is the second campus after the first opened in Bushwick in 2013. With 445 applications for just 125 spots, demand clearly outstripped availability.
Zahara Asbury, a 13-year-old from Downtown Brooklyn, is thrilled about the school’s STEM curriculum. “I’m honestly so happy to be here,” she said, appreciating the hands-on experiences rather than rote learning.
State lawmakers have faced criticism for restricting the number of charter schools in New York City, delaying MESA’s opening in Dyker Heights since 2019. It wasn’t until 2023 that new legislation allowed schools to reopen with previously unused licenses.
Arthur Samuels, co-founder and co-executive director of MESA, reflected on the moment: “Looking at all the families here is worth it. It’s incredibly humbling to see our parents trust us.” Yet, he pointed out how frustrating it can be that providing parents with options seems to be such a struggle.
The Bushwick location has had success, reporting a graduation rate of 92% last year. The new high school on 1222 63rd Street plans to enroll 500 students gradually, starting with this year’s freshman class.
MESA II serves students from several neighborhoods in Community District 20, including Bayridge and Bensonhurst, addressing overcrowding in traditional public high schools. Interestingly, this charter school boasts a more diverse student body, with many Asian students stemming from the growing Chinese community in southern Brooklyn.
Out of the 125 new students, nearly all reside in Brooklyn, with 82 from the local area. Other parents have expressed enthusiasm over enrolling their children in the new school. For example, Sammi Zhou shared that her daughter Minqi hopes to be pushed academically by her teachers at MESA.
Comments from parents reinforce this sentiment. Zhou mentioned that in charter schools, there’s an encouragement for students to excel, whereas public schools can sometimes lack that motivation. Michelle Perez, from Boro Park, echoed support for charter schools, noting a more enthusiastic academic environment.
Currently, New York City has 285 public charter schools catering to about 150,000 students—roughly 15% of the student population in the city’s expansive school district.
A recent report highlighted that the Academy of Success at Liberal Arts Charter Schools has made its mark, being recognized as one of the top 10 public high schools in New York City. Furthermore, over 90% of students from some of the city’s poorest areas in the Bronx have passed state math and reading tests, with charter schools in that borough showing a 25% higher pass rate than their traditional counterparts.
