As a mother, I want what every parent wants for their child: to be treated fairly, supported, and given every opportunity to succeed. For many families in Washington Heights, finding the right school often means looking beyond our own neighborhood. That should not be the case, but for too long, it has been.
Every weekday morning from September to June, I see families getting ready to go to school. Some of the kids are wearing crisp private school uniforms, others are huddled at a bus stop or walking quickly to catch a train. No matter the destination, it’s clear they’re heading away from here. Parents are sacrificing time, energy, and resources to take their kids somewhere else for what they believe is a better education. Why can’t we find a high-quality education in our own neighborhood?
A school is not just where our children go to learn; it is also part of the community they grow up in. Families should be able to expect their neighborhood schools to provide strong academics, meaningful opportunities, and the resources children need to succeed. Where we live should not determine whether our children have access to those things.
I want my youngest son to have the same chance as any child in this city: I want him to have a strong education and the support he needs to grow, learn, and find his own path. I know that means having teachers who are patient with him and believe in him, even when things are difficult. I want him to be able to get that education while staying connected to the neighborhood and culture that are such an important part of who he is.
At work, I see young people coming in and out of my store during the school day. It makes me wonder what opportunities they have and whether they are getting the support they need to succeed. I think about how many children in our neighborhood may not have access to the educational opportunities, extracurricular activities, mentoring, and tutoring that can help prepare them for life. Every child should have access to those experiences, without having to look beyond their own neighborhood to find them.
When Zeta Charter Schools opened its first location in Washington Heights this fall, it gave families another option close to home — one where students can be challenged academically while staying connected to the neighborhood they know.
Washington Heights is filled with parents who care deeply about their children’s futures. We work hard, make sacrifices, and show up every day. We should be able to expect our schools to meet that same commitment: to know our children, challenge them, and support them along the way.
Our children should not have to leave their neighborhood to find those opportunities. That is not too much to ask. It is what every family should be able to expect.
Elizabeth Nunez is a Washington Heights parent.
