Nikole Hannah-Jones noted that a third alternative existed for Najya that she had not initially mentioned: a charter school. She recounts a conversation with Unison charter’s principal, Emily Paige, in which they addressed the challenges the school faced, such as significant knowledge gaps among students and a faculty that was still gaining experience.
Paige chose to eliminate homework as part of her commitment to antiracism, recognizing that many learners were already falling behind in core subjects. While the intention was to reduce stress, the policy also lowered academic expectations, a consequence Paige openly acknowledged. “It’s very, very hard,” she said. “There’s no model out there for holding all of these truths, these complex truths, all at once.”
Charter Schools as a Model
One example that could have informed their decision is Success Academy Bed-Stuy, which sits adjacent to Unison. In the 2024-25 school year, the campus enrolled almost a thousand students, and 97% performed at or above grade level in English while 99% reached that benchmark in math.
Other high-performing institutions in New York City’s most disadvantaged neighborhoods demonstrate similar results. Classical Charter Schools in the South Bronx, for instance, reported that 98% of its students achieved proficiency in math and 96% did so in English in 2025.
Debunking Misconceptions
Despite these achievements, several misconceptions about such schools persist. Many people assume that charter schools select their attendees and receive more generous funding than traditional public schools. In reality, the city’s charters are required to accept every child who applies, are financed with public dollars, and are prohibited from charging tuition or additional fees.
Research also refutes the belief that they “skim off” the most motivated parents. Studies have shown that students who won a seat in a charter’s admissions lottery performed similarly to those who did not, indicating that motivation can be cultivated through a school’s culture rather than being an innate trait.
Some critics maintain that charter schools draw away motivated families, thereby harming traditional public schools. This view presumes that motivation is a limited resource, yet evidence suggests that effective schooling can expand and nurture motivation among a broader student body.
Accountability and Outcomes
They are held to strict accountability standards, facing the possibility of state-ordered closure if they fail to meet performance thresholds. This oversight, combined with an emphasis on building a positive school culture, has helped many of these institutions sustain strong outcomes in New York City.
