In New York City, few education debates spark as much passion as the one over the Gifted & Talented (G&T) program. The program serves a small share of students, yet it always seem to be an issue that has dominated the headlines — as if it were the only path to a great education.
But for tens of thousands of families, opportunity doesn’t hinge on a test score. It comes from finding the right school that sets high expectations for every child — like a public charter school.
A prime example of this is Vanessa, a Brooklyn mother of six. Five years ago, her son, who is now in fourth grade, was preparing to start elementary school. Vanessa knew she had to do her homework and that’s why she visited several schools to find the best fit for her son and her family. They toured several charter schools across Brooklyn and even visited a G&T program. They skipped the traditional district schools in their neighborhood, which for years had struggled to deliver the basics.
Vanessa’s son did take the G&T test and was accepted into a G&T program, a program that currently serves just 18,000 students citywide. He also entered several charter school lotteries. When it came time to decide Vanessa and her son chose East Flatbush Ascend Charter School (EFACS) instead.
That decision changed everything. At EFACS, her son quickly excelled in math — he’s now known as a little “math whiz.” But every subject did not come so easily for him. When he began struggling with reading in second grade, the school immediately stepped in and alerted Vanessa. Teachers and administrators partnered closely with his parents, offering targeted support and constant communication until he regained his confidence. By the next state exam, he was just a few points shy of a perfect score.
His story isn’t unique. At EFACS, three out of four students read at grade level and 92% are proficient in math — results that far exceed the city average. That success reflects more than strong academics. It shows what’s possible when educators and families work together to ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive.
EFACS is part of Ascend Charter Schools, a network of 17 high-performing public charter schools. Across the city, there are 285 charters serving more than 150,000 students (eight times as much as G&T programs) — most of them located in Central Brooklyn, Southeast Queens, the South Bronx, and Harlem. These are neighborhoods where district schools have long struggled to provide consistent quality.
The vast majority of charter students are Black or Latino, and according to state data, they consistently outperform their district peers in both math and reading — often by double-digit margins — despite receiving less funding and no dedicated facilities support from the city.
That’s why public charter schools need more champions in City Hall and Albany — leaders willing to speak up for the families who choose them.
As advocates for educational equity, Jacquelyn and Education Reform Now New York believes success shouldn’t divide us — it should inspire us. Every family deserves access to a great public school that meets their child’s needs, whether that’s a G&T program, a charter school, or a high-performing district school. The real conversation should be about how to expand access to excellence, not how to restrict it.
Too many schools in East Flatbush and across New York City continue to struggle. Instead of tearing down what’s working in charter schools, policymakers should be learning from them — replicating the strategies, supports, and school culture that drive their success. Charters are proving what’s possible when educators are empowered to innovate and held accountable for results.
Because of her son’s experience, Vanessa’s younger daughters now attend EFACS too. Her second grader loves science, and her kindergartner is mastering her sight words and learning to express herself clearly. Watching their confidence grow reminds her why school choice matters — because every child deserves to feel capable, supported, and seen.
Both of us are proud graduates of New York City public schools, and that’s why we believe so deeply in the system’s potential. At the end of the day, New Yorkers all want the same thing: we want our city’s children to succeed. That starts with giving parents the freedom to choose the best education for their kids — and supporting the schools that are already delivering for New York’s families.
Martell is the executive director of Education Reform Now New York, a nonpartisan organization advocating for high-quality public education and equitable opportunities for all students. Wallace is a Brooklyn mother of six and parent of three students attending East Flatbush Ascend Charter School.
