<p>The success of the kids at Yes Prep, DSST, Cristo Rey and the like is to be celebrated and celebrated and celebrated. These are kids who have succeeded against the odds and just by doing that they show me that they have something special that mainstream middle class kids never willa certain strength, drive, and confidence that will serve them well later in life no matter what. </p>
<p>That said, I know that this is not a cure-all for urban education woes. As someone posted earlier, there is a big difference between the number of kids entering in 9th grade and the number graduating. Charter schools dont cherry pick students on the way in because entry is by lottery. But they can, and do, counsel kids out (though I dont know if thats specifically the case at Yes). In addition, some kids will find these schools too demanding and choose to leave, some will move away, and sadly, some will succumb to the streets.</p>
<p>Yes isnt the magic bullet, for sure. Other models are badly needed for poor black city kids tooschools that address the needs of the ones who cant make it at such places as Yes. But until they come along Im willing to lift a glass to the ones here who made it through.</p>