My charter school network helps kids succeed

Former teacher Brett McNeil offers a skewed vision of Chicago’s charter public high schools (“The school where our kids belong,” Jan. 23). His criticism is based on the brief time he spent teaching in a charter. My experience has been very different.

I’ve worked at the Noble Network of Charter Schools for 14 years, and I now serve as principal of ITW David Speer Academy. I’ve watched for years as our school community has grown into a vibrant and loving family of Chicagoans redefining the future for public school students in the city. This is not just feel- good praise— we measure success by rising test scores and college acceptances, not just what our school buildings look like. ACT scores of Noble students average about three points higher than CPS students as a whole, and fully 90 percent of Noble graduates enroll in college. Eighty- four percent are the first in their family to do so.

I regret that Mr. McNeil’s experience as a CPS charter high school teacher didn’t meet his expectations. But it would be a mistake to consider that teaching stint as representing all CPS charter high schools. My school’s staff is a healthy mix of veterans and younger teachers, all united with the singular purpose of serving our students. Yes, the work is hard. But the kids are worth it, and as our results show, charters’ students can accomplish incredible things. That’s the kind of high school experience every student deserves. Thomas Mulder, principal, ITW David Speer Academy