The top reported proficiency rate is 100% in Math. The lowest is 0% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Success Academy Charter School-bushwick
Success Academy Charter School-Bushwick is a small early-elementary charter school serving kindergarten through fourth grade in a dense neighborhood on the border of Bushwick and East Williamsburg in Brooklyn. The school enrolls students across five grades, with enrollment concentrated near capacity and a substantial share qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economically diverse character of the surrounding neighborhood.
Academically, the school's performance on New York State testing is markedly strong. In the most recent year, all third graders tested achieved proficiency in mathematics, and all fourth graders tested also reached proficiency in math. In English language arts, results were nearly as high: almost all third graders and about all fourth graders tested met proficiency. The school's overall proficiency index places it in the top quartile among schools and districts across Kings County. These results suggest a consistent approach to core academics. Science testing data was not available for recent years, which is not unusual for elementary schools at this grade span where science assessment is less routinely administered.
The school is part of the Success Academy charter network, a high-profile network of tuition-free charter schools operating across New York City. As of publicly reported information, the network has moved beyond its traditional K-4 grade configuration and is now accepting applications through grade 6, which means families can expect a longer continuous pathway within Success Academy rather than having to seek other schools after fourth grade. The school is undergoing SUNY charter renewal in 2026, with the Charter Schools Institute recommending renewal based on the school's track record of meeting its academic accountability goals, suggesting institutional stability for families enrolling.
The school sits in central Brooklyn, in a highly walkable urban neighborhood with dense residential blocks and active street life. Menahan Street, where the school is located, sits in an area with strong transit access and proximity to retail and services. Housing values in the 11221 zip code reflect Brooklyn's overall heated real estate market, with home values appreciating year over year. Rents have also risen, though affordability varies by specific block and building type. The neighborhood is in a period of steady growth and residential development.
The student body is predominantly Latino and Black, with a substantial share of students learning English as an additional language or qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The school does not report detailed data on English learner status or special education enrollment, so parents seeking that information may want to inquire directly with the school. The school's admission process is open enrollment through the charter lottery; it is not selective.
Success Academy schools are known for structured, academically intensive instruction with particular emphasis on literacy and numeracy, regular assessment, and extended school days. Parents choosing a charter should understand that charter schools operate under their own governance rather than traditional district supervision, have different teacher contracts and labor arrangements than district schools, and often have distinct curriculum and discipline approaches. The school is small enough to offer the possibility of sustained teacher-student relationships but large enough that families will encounter multiple classrooms per grade.
For families in the area seeking an early-elementary program with strong test results, a longer pathway within a single network, and high-structure academics, this school merits close consideration. Parents weighing charter versus district options, or concerned about a particular student's needs around special services or English language support, should research the school's specific policies and reach out to current families to understand daily operations and culture.
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