If there’s one thing we love even as much as reading at Success Academy, it’s helping our scholars find and develop their writing voices. From elementary school onwards, our scholars practice writing every single day. Once they’ve learned to convey strong and precise ideas with clarity, purpose, and structure, they have a lifelong tool for […]

One hundred and six students from 14 Success Academy schools traveled to Nashville this past weekend, joining thousands of players from across the country to duke it out in what is considered the Super Bowl of scholastic chess: los Campeonatos Nacionales de Escuelas Primarias.

During this year’s New York State Chess Championships, spectators likely saw a sea of Success Academy blue and orange: about one in eight competitors at the event was an SA scholar, with 135 participants representing 14 Success Academy schools.

In August 2015, Angela Moyer joined the faculty of Success Academy Fort Greene as an elementary school psychologist. Now she works directly with scholars, teachers, school leadership, and families to develop strategies for scholars to grow and learn not just academically, but also socially, emotionally, and behaviorally. We recently spent a day with Angela to learn what it takes to to help children achieve the highest degree of success — inside and outside the classroom.

Last week, 35 scholars from across the Success Academy network traveled to Orlando, Florida for some sunshine — and chess! Competing in the prestigious National K-12 Grade Championships, Success Academy improved from last year’s already stellar performance at both the individual and the team levels.

There’s a physical border in the form of a massive cliff cutting off Hudson Heights from the rest of Washington Heights, but it’s the metaphorical barrier that truly divides. There are well-documented socioeconomic and ethnic differences that fall along this division. I am hopeful that we — Success Academy staff, faculty, and parents — are raising these citizens of the world that know how to embrace diversity and create positive change. Together, we’re shaping future leaders who will shatter metaphorical cliffs.

We want to ensure that every scholar feels included and in touch with their cultural background while at our schools. SA Prospect Heights launched an initiative promoting racial awareness in the classroom and among staff, and recently held two sessions focused on culturally responsive teaching.

The SA Crown Heights Girls Group, the brainchild of special education teacher Cole Yaverbaum, offers scholars a place to discuss everything from racial inequality to friendships, to their future ambitions and social justice.

Last week, something magical happened at Success Academy Crown Heights: when Ms. Sarnelli’s kindergarten class came back from science, they found their classroom had been transformed into a world-class farm-to-table restaurant.

Tonight, more than 50 scholars will transport an audience of families and friends to “Never Never Land” for sixty minutes, as they act, sing, and dance in Peter Pan — Success Academy Williamsburg’s first-ever musical performance.

Sean Little recently delivered these remarks during the fourth-grade graduation at SA Bed-Stuy 1.

As the saying goes, age is just a number. Just ask my K-3 scholars who recently spent an afternoon giving dance lessons to senior citizens.

Thank you, Class of 2028, for helping me learn these lessons. I am proud and honored to be one of you, and I know that we will make our mark on the world.

Meet the Dapper Young Gentlemen Society — 25 boys who are committed to being exemplary members of the school community.

To have a wonderful teacher is amazing; to have two wonderful teachers is a dream come true. But to have an awesome staff is beyond anything that words could begin to describe.

Success Academy scholars are a diverse, talented, passionate group of New Yorkers, with strong ideas, engaging personalities, and fascinating stories to tell.

I love sharing the joy I found when I was a cheerleader, so when I came to SA Harlem 4, I asked my principal, Mr. Loskoch, if I could start a cheer squad for third and fourth grade girls — and I was so thrilled when he said yes!

The brainchild of founder Eva Moskowitz, Gamesday is new this year and happens at all Success Academy elementary schools every Wednesdays: Blokus in kindergarten, Monopoly in first and second grade, and Settlers of Catan in third and fourth grades.

Our Project Based Learning unit about the history of the New York City subway system brought us to Grand Central. The scholars had studied how the subway system was conceived in the late 19th century as an extension of the railroads that still travel in and out of Grand Central every day; they had learned about the subsequent technological and structural developments that propelled the subway system forward to meet the needs of a growing city.

As scholars enter the school each morning, I greet them with a handshake. This is my favorite time of day because it’s often when I learn special, little tidbits about my students’ lives. After we say good morning to one another, scholars excitedly tell me about tooth fairy visits or the books they read the night before. […]

It is fair to say that I am in love with my son’s teacher, Ms. Muller.

Because Success Academy offers science five days a week, our scholars explore science in amazing depth and develop a breadth of foundational science knowledge. We present challenges and encourage them to make discoveries using a curriculum that builds on their natural curiosity and eagerness to understand how the world works.

I have to extend sincere thanks to my children’s coaches and to the Success Academy network. They have instilled in my children not only passion and persistence, but also certain grace and equanimity.

I’m not a typical classroom teacher, but what I teach students is no less valuable than the math and science they learn every day…