Here’s something I never got to tell you.
About seven years ago, I wrote this post that went viral. I didn’t expect to see some popular public intellectuals sharing it with their audiences, and other public figures rebuking me publicly, either. Yes, the leader of the schools would try to reach out to me as did a few of his people. (I didn’t respond, but I did write another post about Capital Prep Harlem and another post in response to that.) I did foresee that a fair amount of scandal would follow both the school leader and the mogul. In researching Capital Prep schools back then, I saw how the confluence of bad management, hedge fund managers wishing to rinse their monies, minimal regulations, and music business models would drudge up the burgeoning school that landed a few blocks from where I live.
As New York Magazine reports, that’s exactly what happened. I wouldn’t have guessed to what extent.
After reading the NY Mag article and reading some of the accounts (including from people who left years ago), I had to sit there. I hurt for those who had to experience this firsthand. Even though I disagreed with his methods, I was hoping he would win. By “win,” I meant that he’d provide a solid alternative for families who have been disengaged from the educational process for decades. Families don’t send their children to schools expecting that the school, led by charismatic leaders from similar backgrounds, would treat their child awfully. Similarly, educators don’t expect to work for leaders who would later thwart their efforts to teach children well.
But, over the years, I saw protests from students, families, and educators, who had no way to address and redress the harm. I’d listen to other adults who could only speak to me about their experiences in this and other schools like this in codes because the feeling was still too raw.
“I told you so” isn’t the point. It’s not about one school leader, one music mogul, or even one type of school. It’s about the current notion of school choice.
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