Let these students learn in peace

In any discussion about education, the conversation should revolve around our kids and what’s best for them. Disputes by adults should never get in the way of a student’s right to a fair and equal education.

That’s why I am protective of every school and child in my district. And that’s why I am a staunch supporter of Success Academy Bronx 3, a high-performing school in a community that doesn’t have nearly enough of them.

The South Bronx has far too many schools that struggle to improve students’ basic knowledge and skills. In Community School District 7, 11% of third-throug-heighth-grade students read at grade level; just 14% do math at grade level.

Along comes a high-quality Success Academy school that’s looking to grow. This year, it is expanding in a new space; its school year, longer than traditional schools’ year, starts today. But it’s getting powerful blowback from the local community and some officials.

Someone needs to stand up and defend the charter school on behalf of the children it educates today and wants to educate tomorrow.

Success Academy has a very strong track record in the Bronx. There are no test scores for Success Academy Bronx 3 yet because its oldest students just finished second grade. But its sister school, Success Academy Bronx 2, which is also in my Assembly district, was the No. 10 school in math in the entire state this year, according to state data.

Ninety-six percent of Bronx 2 third-, fourth- and fifth-graders scored at or above grade level on the state math exam, and 65% scored proficient in English.

Success Academy Bronx 3 delivers a similar stellar high-quality education to its kindergarten, first-grade and second-grade students.

I’ve heard the anti-Success narrative. But parents at the school tell me how special a place it is — and how their kids love learning about chess, art, dance and science. They tell amazing stories about the progress their children are making. They are proud and thankful.

These parents are the gatekeepers of our children’s futures. Their principal made a great home for them, as they successfully coexist with the other school in the building and serve as a good neighbor.

But now, a lawsuit is threatening their educations.

Because Bronx 3’s current building doesn’t have enough space for a third grade, the city decided to let it expand by moving to nearby X145 building, which has more than 800 empty seats, even though three schools and an Alternate Learning Center are currently housed there.

Those other schools have struggled over the years; the city has responded by making them part of the city’s Renewal Schools program. They are getting a host of extra resources in hopes of being turned around.

But as the city explained at public hearings, the new space arrangement will not encroach on the Renewal Schools and the additional services they’re getting. All the schools will have plenty of room.

A crucial point to understand is that before Success Academy moved in, X145 was only 53% utilized. Even if Bronx 3 put its third-, fourth- and fifth-graders in the building, it would still be no more than 74% utilized.

Yet a lawsuit filed in federal court is claiming Bronx 3 is taking space away from the other schools.

The suit was filed by Advocates for Justice, an organization that has a history of challenging charter school co-locations, including numerous lawsuits opposing Success Academy placements in city school buildings.

If the lawsuit somehow succeeds, it will throw 90 children of color, who have already started their school year, onto the street. Where are they supposed to go?

Private school, or even parochial school, would be out of reach for families. Local district schools are struggling — that’s why they took a chance on the Success Academy lottery in the first place.

Lawsuits must not be allowed to rob our children of their futures.

Success Academy kids should get chance to thrive