News Summary
A large rally took place as thousands of parents, students, and educators marched across the Brooklyn Bridge advocating for fair funding for New York City’s charter schools. The event highlighted the educational achievements of charter schools and addressed the funding disparities they face compared to public schools. With more than 200 charter schools represented, speakers emphasized the need for equitable treatment and increased resources, while facing criticism from opponents. Mayoral candidates exhibited differing stances on charter school expansion, reflecting ongoing debates surrounding educational funding in New York City.
Brooklyn, New York City – Thousands March Across Brooklyn Bridge to Demand Fair Funding and Expansion of NYC Charter Schools
On September 18, 2025, thousands of parents, students, and educators marched across the Brooklyn Bridge to advocate for fair funding for New York City’s charter schools. The rally began at Cadman Plaza in the morning and saw representation from more than 200 charter schools.
Organizers claim that charter schools in New York City are educating 1 in 6 students, emphasizing their significant role in the educational landscape. Data presented during the rally indicated that students from these schools attend college at five times the national average, showcasing the perceived success of charter education. However, many supporters argue that charter schools do not receive analogous funding and access to school buildings as district schools, creating a inequity in funding that they seek to rectify.
Prominent among the speakers was Leslie Bernard Joseph from KIPP NYC, who highlighted a stark funding disparity, stating that charter school students receive an average of $12,000 less in funding per pupil compared to public school students. This financial gap has been a persistent issue, drawing concerns from parents and educators alike.
Many parents, including Kimberly Pena, expressed their gratitude for the educational improvements and dedicated teachers found in charter schools, further amplifying the need for increased funding to sustain these advantages. However, the demonstration faced criticism from opponents who accused the participants of prioritizing political motivations over their children’s educational needs.
Rafiq R. Kalam Id-Din II, founder of Ember Charter Schools, defended parental choice in public education and questioned the political opposition towards charter schools. Maria Bautista from New Yorkers for Racially Just Public Schools criticized the timing of the rally just ahead of the mayoral election, arguing that the issue of funding inequities needs to be addressed in a more profound context.
Historically, charter school advocates have faced challenges, particularly during the tenure of former Mayor Bill de Blasio, who was known for his conflicts with charter supporters. The last major rally for charter school funding occurred in 2015, reflecting the ongoing struggle for equitable treatment in the education sector.
Mayoral candidates are split on the issue, with candidate Zohran Mamdani opposing charter school expansion, partly due to support from the United Federation of Teachers. Conversely, proponents of charter schools, including Mayor Eric Adams and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, along with Republican Curtis Sliwa, favor the expansion of these facilities as part of their educational agenda.
The attendees of the rally highlighted their stance with slogans such as “excellence is a civil right,” embodied in their shirts and bandanas. Supporters stressed that charter schools deserve equitable treatment, similar to their district school counterparts.
Currently, New York City is home to 282 charter schools, serving approximately 150,000 students. Notably, data illustrates that students at Success Academy Charter Schools, the largest charter school network in NYC, posted test scores nearly double those of their public school peers. Eva Moskowitz, founder and CEO of Success Academy, has been a vocal proponent for ensuring equal educational choices for families, regardless of their ZIP codes.
As the rally concluded, attendees welcomed special guests, including rapper Common, who performed his Oscar-winning song “Glory” to energize the crowd. The demonstrators called for an end to the state cap on charter schools in New York City, a restriction currently controlled by the Democratic state Legislature, underscoring the ongoing demand for reform and better opportunities for students in the charter school system.
The clash over charter schools continues to resonate within the political sphere in New York City, with varying viewpoints among mayoral candidates spotlighting the complexities and critical nature of educational funding and choice.
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Additional Resources
- The New York Times
- Wikipedia: Charter School
- CBS News
- Google Search: New York Charter Schools
- ABC 7 NY
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- New York Post
- Google News: Charter Schools Funding
- The Wall Street Journal
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