Probably going to get downvoted, but I think Success Academy is doing an incredible job providing a valuable alternative for kids in neighborhoods where public schools have already failed multiple generations. Yes, it's different from public schools. It's more strict. It's more traditional. It's more test-oriented. And yes, they have the ability to wean out weaker students from the system, which they really shouldn't do. If parents choose to send their kids to Success Academy, then Success Academy should have to take them. Period. No ifs, ands or buts. That should be a requirement for any Charter school.

But despite all the negative comments about Success Academy, some of which may or may not be true, the one positive thing that makes them better, in my opinion, is that the teachers seem to actually care that students learn. I say that as someone who went through NYC public schools K-12, so I know what it is like.

There is really a very obvious dichotomy here between the relentless parade of negative press and comments about Success Academy, and Success Academy's continued ability to attract more students, open new schools and produce far-above-average standardized test scores.

For those vehemently opposed to Charter schools, I have to ask why would you deny that choice to parents who choose to send their kids there?