Achievement First Parents
Achievement First parents are crucial partners in our efforts to foster high student achievement for all students. Meet some of our parents—dedicated members of the Achievement First team and family supporting their children as they climb the mountain to college.
Marilyn Vega
Achievement First East New York Middle School
“I have always wanted to give my children the best education possible, even though I cannot afford private schools. Since my daughter started at an Achievement First school, her behavior and academics have improved tremendously. Achievement First schools are places where children are encouraged to satisfy their hunger to learn.”
Marilyn Vega has a daughter in fifth grade at Achievement First East New York Middle School. Ms. Vega learned about Achievement First East New York by chance when a friend handed her the lottery application form. The more she learned about the school, the more excited she felt about its mission. Since beginning as a first grader at Achievement First East New York Elementary School, Ms. Vega's daughter has received awards for good behavior and attendance and typically achieves test scores of 95 to 100 percent. Ms. Vega lives with her children in Brooklyn's East New York neighborhood. A Brooklyn native, she is a graduate of Franklin K. Lane High School and currently works for a firm in Manhattan that provides clerical services for law offices.
Christopher Champion
Amistad Academy Elementary School
“When I walk into an Achievement First school, sometimes I just want to pause and hang out for a little while because it’s so electric. The teachers and the faculty are just so interested—each and every one of them—and so engaged in what they are doing.”
John Kaku
Achievement First Brownsville Elementary School
“The best gift I can give my daughter is a good foundation for a better education. This is what made me look to Achievement First.”
John Kaku has a daughter in second grade at Achievement First Brownsville Elementary School. He was thrilled when his daughter received a seat in 2008 as a first grader and was among the many parents cheering and celebrating at Achievement First Brownsville Elementary School’s inaugural student enrollment lottery.
Khadijah Muhammad
Amistad Academy Elementary, Middle and High School
“At Achievement First schools, every classroom door stays open, and you can walk by and see what is going on and listen to what is going on. The teachers know everyone’s name; they know all of the students. The students know all of the teachers. It really is a family.”
