Clearing up misconceptions about charter schools

Public education should always be rooted in what is best for the student. That principle is easy to state, and far more difficult to consistently achieve. I offer this perspective as someone who has spent more than two decades working toward that goal, first as a teacher and now as a school leader. I am deeply committed to supporting students in high-needs communities, ensuring they are equipped to meet and exceed their academic goals.

Before opening South Shore Charter School in Central Islip in 2023, I spent years sitting across from families who felt their children were doing everything right and still falling through the cracks. Families were not asking for shortcuts or special treatment. They were asking for a public school that listened, held high expectations and followed through. I've tried to impart that vision leading our school.

It has not come without criticism and what feels like persistent misconceptions about charter schools like ours. These recurring questions underscore just how deeply misunderstood charter schools remain on Long Island.

While some charters have seen tremendous success in supporting students and families, others have been forced to close after they failed to deliver on their promises. Families and communities are right to ask hard questions.

Here are the facts: Charter schools are public schools. We do not charge tuition. We are required by state law to be accessible to all students. When applications exceed available seats, we hold a public lottery. We do not choose our students or cherry-pick enrollment.

Charter schools are also regulated. Ours operates under a legally binding charter renewed through the State University of New York's Charter Schools Institute, which conducts oversight. If we fail to meet the standards set by our authorizer, we can be closed.

South Shore Charter School has been open just three years. We have maintained strong academic outcomes and staff stability while serving a high-needs student population. In fact, 99% of South Shore scholars have met or exceeded their annual growth goals in reading and math on the NWEA MAP assessments, a notable achievement for a young school. We have about 350 students in K-3 and continue to expand toward K-12.

Families come to us for different reasons. Some seek more structure. Many arrive after feeling unheard elsewhere. These choices are not about one system being better than another. They are about fit. Families deserve the right to choose the best school for their child.

In New York, per-pupil public funding follows students to whatever public school they attend, including charter schools. That same principle governs funding when families move between districts. So when students leave a district school for a charter, the district loses per-pupil revenue — but some of its fixed costs don't decrease proportionally. That is a real fiscal dynamic, and the subject of continuing policy debate in New York and nationally. There are real trade-offs that communities and policymakers need to resolve.

While many Long Island districts have experienced enrollment declines, Central Islip has continued to grow. South Shore was created in response to demonstrated family demand.

If you have questions about what we do and how we do it, I invite you to see it firsthand. The fundamental mission of public schools is to ensure every student receives a high-quality education, no matter where they live or how much their family earns. That is what South Shore Charter School earnestly endeavors to provide. We welcome thoughtful engagement and accountability.

This guest essay reflects the views of Dermoth Mattison, the founder and executive director of South Shore Charter School in Central Islip.