Full Breakdown
Charter Schools Dominate NYC's Top Public Schools, Sparking Calls for Expansion
3/20/2026, 4:07:13 PM
Charter Schools' Performance in NYC
A recent analysis by the Washington Free Beacon reveals that charter schools account for more than half of the top 100 performing public schools in New York City, based on state math and English exam results for grades 3 to 8. Specifically, charter schools comprised 59 of the top 100 math schools and 53 of the top 100 English Language Arts schools. Despite representing only 15% of the nearly 1,900 publicly funded schools in the city, the 285 charter schools serve approximately 150,500 students, many of whom come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds in lower-income, minority neighborhoods.
Advocacy for Lifting the Charter School Cap
Supporters of charter schools argue that these results should prompt the New York State Legislature to lift the cap on charter school openings, which has been reached. Eva Moskowitz, founder and CEO of Success Academy, stated, “These results prove what we have always known: all children are capable of excellence when given access to a high-quality education.” James Merriman, CEO of the New York Charter School Center, emphasized the significance of charter schools in providing educational opportunities, noting that nearly one in three Black public school students in the city attends a charter school.
Joseph Belluck, chairman of the SUNY Charter Schools Committee, echoed this sentiment, calling the cap an "artificial restraint" on educational options for parents. He highlighted the disconnect between state legislators and constituents regarding the benefits of charter schools.
Criticism and Opposition
Opponents of charter school expansion, including Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the United Federation of Teachers, argue that charter schools divert resources from traditional public schools and do not adequately serve the most vulnerable students. Alison Gendar, a spokesperson for the union, claimed that "too many charters push out the most vulnerable students," suggesting that charter schools need to accept and serve all children before any further expansion is considered.
The charter school sector disputes these claims, citing data that shows 83% of charter students are economically disadvantaged, with 19% receiving special education services. Critics also point out that most charter school educators are not unionized, contrasting with the unionized workforce in traditional public schools.
Broader Implications
The debate over charter schools in New York City reflects broader national discussions about educational equity and access. State Republican Party chairman Ed Cox asserted that the performance of charter schools challenges the narrative of their critics, stating, “Charters are proving every day that zip code does not have to determine destiny.”
As the conversation continues, the future of charter schools in New York City remains uncertain, with calls for expansion juxtaposed against significant opposition from various stakeholders.
Verbatim Quotes
- “These results prove what we have always known: all children are capable of excellence when given access to a high-quality education,” — Eva Moskowitz, Founder and CEO, Success Academy
- “There is a reason almost one out of every three Black public-school students and one out of every four kids in the Bronx attend a charter school — even with an artificial cap in place that locks kids out,” — James Merriman, CEO, New York Charter School Center
- “The state should lift the cap on charter schools. The cap is an artificial restraint on providing options to parents,” — Joseph Belluck, Chairman, SUNY Charter Schools Committee
- “Too many charters push out the most vulnerable students. Before anyone talks about further expansion, charters need to accept and serve all children- something they have consistently refused to do,” — Alison Gendar, Spokesperson, United Federation of Teachers
- “Once again, the facts are in, and they completely shatter the left’s narrative,” — Ed Cox, State Republican Party Chairman
