My son George Reeder is in fifth grade at Harlem Success Academy 4. He’s part of the highest performing fifth grade class in the state. And yet, I have no idea where he’ll go to school next year.
Why? Because yesterday, Mayor de Blasio announced that he was closing our school.
My son [with mom Thursday, above] will be evicted from the school that’s given him and all of us so much pride and joy.
And consider these scores: At my son’s middle school, 96 percent of students passed the math test, compared with 20 percent in the school district where I live. Fifty-three percent passed English, compared with 18 percent in my district.
Parents need more options. To evict one of the best schools in New York City is crazy. And the city hasn’t given my family and other affected families any good alternatives. We’re on our own.
Mayor de Blasio promised that “for kids that are in charters now that are doing well, we’re going to be there for them every step of the way.” How is closing our school being there for us?
At Success Academy, my son is getting a great education that will prepare him to go far in life. If his school is closed, next year he won’t have to travel as far, but he won’t be prepared to go as far in life.
That is why we are going to do everything we can to fight this.
We’re not going to let the city take our children’s future away from us. Today is just the beginning, because families like mine won’t stand for this.