Full Breakdown
Success Academy Tops New York Math Rankings Amid Nationwide Educational Challenges
12/13/2025, 10:44:47 PM
Success Academy's Academic Achievement
Success Academy, a K-12 charter school network in New York, has achieved notable success in statewide math rankings, outperforming all public schools according to the New York State Education Department's recent test score data for grades 3–8. The charter network reported a remarkable 96% pass rate in math, positioning it as the top-performing school in the state. In English Language Arts, Success Academy ranked second with a 92% pass rate, just behind Scarsdale Union Free School District, which serves a significantly different demographic. Founded in 2006, Success Academy serves over 22,000 predominantly low-income Black and Hispanic students, making it the fourth-largest school district in New York.
Context of Educational Performance
The success of Success Academy comes at a time when nationwide proficiency in math and reading is declining. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, only 39% of fourth-grade students and 28% of eighth graders achieved proficiency or above in math in 2024. Eva Moskowitz, the founder and CEO of Success Academy, emphasized the importance of their achievement in light of these broader trends, stating, "Success Academy set out to reverse the achievement gap, and we are doing it — consistently, holistically, and at scale."
Official Statements & Responses
Moskowitz articulated her perspective on the educational landscape, asserting that the charter network considers itself a "school district" due to its size and the services it provides. She criticized the existing educational system, saying, "It's time we stop accepting excuses, exacerbating inequity, and denying parents access to quality education." This sentiment reflects a broader push for accountability and improvement in educational standards.
Challenges from Teachers Unions
Despite its successes, Success Academy faces significant challenges, particularly from teachers unions. The United Federation of Teachers (UFT) has opposed the charter network's expansion efforts, filing a lawsuit to block the co-location of two Success Academy schools within public school buildings in Queens and Brooklyn. This opposition stems from concerns over class-size caps and the competition for per-pupil funding, as charter schools allow parents to opt out of their neighborhood public schools. Moskowitz noted that Success Academy teachers are not represented by the UFT, which has fueled ongoing tensions between the charter network and the union.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics of charter schools, including teachers unions, argue that these institutions divert essential funding and resources away from public schools. The UFT's legal actions against Success Academy highlight the contentious relationship between charter networks and traditional public school systems, as they vie for limited educational resources in an environment of declining enrollment in public schools.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Success Academy set out to reverse the achievement gap, and we are doing it — consistently, holistically, and at scale. But excellence shouldn't be the exception; it should be the expectation,” — Eva Moskowitz, Founder and CEO of Success Academy
- "It's time we stop accepting excuses, exacerbating inequity, and denying parents access to quality education." — Eva Moskowitz, Founder and CEO of Success Academy
Success Academy's achievements and the challenges it faces underscore the complexities of the current educational landscape in New York, reflecting broader national trends in educational performance and policy.
