Has New York City’s incoming mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani, just given a cold shoulder to the folks educating over 150,000 kids in charter schools?
Despite a formal plea from 19 charter school leaders to sit down and hash out ways to support needy students and tackle affordability, Mamdani has yet to even acknowledge their request, leaving these educators in limbo as they seek collaboration with his administration, as the New York Post reports.
On Dec. 1, these leaders sent a written invitation proposing a meeting on Dec. 12 at Ember Charter School for Mindful Education. So far, it’s been crickets from the mayor-elect’s camp.
Let’s lay out the numbers: over 150,000 students attend 285 charter schools across the five boroughs, making up one in six publicly funded students in the city.
In the 2024-25 school year, charter students outperformed their traditional public school peers on state exams, with 67.5% proficient in English Language Arts and 68.6% in math, compared to 56.3% and 56.9%, respectively. In The Bronx, schools like Success Academy and Zeta posted pass rates up to 25 points higher than nearby district schools.
Success Academy also nabbed second place in ELA with 92%, just a hair behind a wealthy suburban district. Yet, despite these achievements, Mamdani didn’t include a single charter sector voice on his transition Committee on Youth & Education, one of 17 teams with 400 members.
During his campaign, Mamdani made no bones about opposing charter school growth, rejecting proposals to lift the state cap or provide city building space. This stance echoes the hostility of former Mayor Bill de Blasio, unlike the more cooperative dynamic charter leaders enjoyed with Mayor Eric Adams.
Charter schools, where students are selected by lottery and staff are mostly non-unionized, offer a lifeline to families seeking better options without the price tag of private education. But with Mamdani not even naming a school's chancellor yet, the wait continues.
“Equity and affordability are inseparable,” the 19 charter leaders wrote in their Dec. 1 letter to Mamdani. Well, sure, but if the mayor-elect won’t even respond, how can they partner on either? This is a missed opportunity for real dialogue on issues that matter to struggling families.
“So far there’s been radio silence,” said Eva Moskowitz, head of Success Academy, capturing the frustration of many. But she added, “I remain optimistic.”
These leaders represent diverse networks, from Family Life Academy in The Bronx to Sisulu-Walker in Harlem, all united in wanting to support Mamdani’s goals. Their letter wasn’t a demand but a plea for partnership, emphasizing how quality schools ease financial burdens for families.
Charter schools have proven they can deliver, especially for Black and Brown families often stuck in underperforming districts. Their model defies the notion that zip code dictates destiny, offering high-quality options without entrance exams. Ignoring this success seems less like policy and more like politics.
Perhaps Mamdani believes charter schools are a distraction from his broader agenda, but dismissing them outright risks alienating thousands of parents who rely on these institutions. The data speaks for itself -- charter students are excelling. Why not at least hear the leaders out?
As the city awaits Mamdani’s next move, the charter community remains in a holding pattern, hopeful but wary.
Their track record of outperforming traditional schools, especially in underserved areas, deserves more than a brush-off. If equity is truly the goal, a simple meeting shouldn’t be too much to ask.
