Success Academy is reinventing K-12 public education. Learn more about our elementary, middle, and high schools. Success Academy is redefining what’s possible in public education. Our dual mission is to: Build exceptional, world-class public schools that prove children from all backgrounds can succeed in college and life; and advocate across the country to change public policies that prevent so many children from having access to opportunity. Founded in 2006, Success Academy Charter Schools is the largest and highest-performing free, public charter school network in New York City. Admission is open to all New York State children, including those with special needs and English language learners. Students are admitted by a random lottery held each April. Success Academy operates 45 schools serving 18,000 students in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. Across the network, 78% of students are from low-income households; 8.5% are current and former English Language Learners, and 15% are current and former special needs students. About 53% of our students are black, 30% are Latino, 7% white, 5% Asian, and 5% multiracial or other. Authorized by the State University of New York’s Charter School Institute, Success Academy schools are able to operate with greater independence than zoned schools, but are held strictly accountable to the state for student performance. Every five years, charter schools are subject to reviews that determine if a school continues to operate.