U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced today that Success Academy Harlem 3 has been selected as a National Blue Ribbon School, an award given to only 285 public schools across the country.

Seven New York City public schools earned a Blue Ribbon designation, an honor given to fewer than 350 schools nationwide this year.

Principal Khari Shabazz has something to say to each and every one of his students, all of whom he seems to know on a personal level. Although Shabazz may first appear intimidating with his large build and stern expression, the numerous hugs his students are happy to give him help reveal the caring teddy bear that lies underneath.

Success Academy is perhaps the most well known charter school organization in New York City.  Founded in 2006 by Eva Moskowitz, a former college professor and New York City Councilwoman, Success Academy currently operates 32 schools in New York City, ten of which are in Brooklyn, and has plans to expand further. Recent run-ins with the Department of Education and the De Blasio administration however have slowed this expansion, including a denial of space at Andries Hudde School in Midwood last year.

Success Academy Founder and CEO Eva Moskowitz on the latest test score results and the argument for school choice.

Success Charter School Network Founder and C.E.O. Eva Moskowitz joined Errol Louis to talk about her plans for the new school year, talk about her relationship with the Department of Education, and respond to her critics.

Last year, Success Academy opened 10 new schools, and next year we are on track to open eight more. That means we have a steady need to hire great teachers — as well as strong employees throughout the organization. Making good hiring decisions is key to any organization, but when a child’s educational well-being and future are at stake, that decision takes on more significance. Over the last nine years of opening and staffing 34 schools, I’ve learned to become quite efficient in how I hire.

A “tale of two school systems” is entrenched in one of the most diverse cities in the United States.

Two thousand high-achieving students. Hordes of proud parents, anxious coaches, and one scrappy underdog team from Harlem. Screaming. Crying. Chess.

My daughter Nyaliz is eight. Last fall, she started third grade at a new school, Success Academy Williamsburg. Nyaliz had never been in a high-performing charter school before. She had never taken a standardized state test before. Even coming from a well-regarded magnet school, she was not at the same academic level as her new classmates, and catching up was hard work.