
Until last year, Janelle McCoy hadn’t heard much about Success Academy Charter Schools. All she knew was that a friend’s son was thriving at Success Academy Bensonhurst, and that she needed a kindergarten for her son, Jahimel.
She entered Jahimel in the lottery, and he received a seat at Success Academy Harlem 6, where he started school in August. Since then, Jahimel has fallen in love with learning, and Janelle couldn’t be happier.
Her son’s experience lead Janelle to join dozens of other New York City charter school families in Albany last week for a Day of Action. There, families met with elected officials and staff, told their stories, and rallied in the State Capitol building.
A marketing coordinator at a community development non-profit, Janelle is a Brooklyn native who now lives in Harlem. Janelle says her time in Albany was incredibly powerful — and she hopes other Success Academy parents take advantage of similar opportunities. Step inside Janelle’s trip to Albany and learn what it takes to advocate for children.