A Brooklyn Family’s Story Shows What’s Possible at Ascend

A Brooklyn Family’s Story Shows What’s Possible at Ascend

A recent New York Daily News op-ed shined a spotlight on what we see every day across Ascend: when families choose schools that set high expectations and partner closely with parents, students thrive.

For Vanessa, a Brooklyn mother of six, that school was East Flatbush Ascend Charter School (EFACS).

Why Her Family Chose EFACS

As her oldest son prepared for kindergarten, Vanessa visited multiple schools, including a gifted & talented (G&T) program that he was accepted into. Her family chose EFACS because they wanted a school that would champion every child, not only those who perform well on a single test.

At EFACS, “her son quickly excelled in math - he’s now known as a little math whiz.” When he struggled with reading in second grade, the school stepped in immediately, partnering with his family and providing targeted support. By the next state exam, he was only a few points shy of perfect.

The Impact is Schoolwide

EFACS is one of 17 Ascend Charter Schools, serving thousands of students across Central and East Brooklyn. Ascend scholars, the vast majority of whom are Black or Latino, consistently outperform their district peers by double-digit margins.

It is no surprise that all three of Vanessa’s school-age children now attend EFACS. Her second grader loves science, and her kindergartener is confidently mastering early literacy skills. Their success is a reminder of why families choose Ascend and why our model works.

What New York City Students Deserve

The op-ed makes a simple point: excellence should be available to every child and Ascend schools are delivering on that promise.

Every child deserves to feel supported, challenged, and seen. At Ascend Public Charter Schools, that is what we work towards every day.

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