Education has traditionally been split into private and district-run public schools, and choosing between them has been a luxury for those with the means to afford the exorbitant cost of a private education. For the rest of America, their children’s education is dictated by the family’s address. Outstanding district-run public schools exist, but once a school district earns a reputation the resultant increase in real estate value prohibits many families from moving into the area, leaving underprivileged families stuck in run-down and failing districts. Choosing the best education for a child must not be a luxury for the wealthy, it must be a fundamental right for all families. Charter schools, which do not require tuition and use an application and lottery process for admission, are a necessary alternative to broaden opportunities for all.

Parents deserve, and many are demanding, more choices when it comes to their children’s education. For too long we have taken a “one size fits all” approach, and the consequences for families of abject poverty have been dire. Charter schools offer a way up and out. Some critics lament competition for resources between charter and traditional public schools, but competition is at the heart of the American ethos. We thrive on competition as a people, and our education system will thrive on competition as well. When a top competitor enters the ring, people take notice- they might even find new motivation to train harder. Similarly, the Center for Education Reform cites the “Ripple” effect, saying charter schools positively impact traditional public schools and serve as models of “best practices” for their counterparts. This is certainly true for Houston and Indianapolis, where charter schools and traditional public schools are teaming up. This symbiotic relationship creates further accountability for charter schools (if they have subpar performances, the districts will terminate their partnerships and the charters lose out on the benefits) and better environments for students in either school system- a win-win situation.

In last week’s post I highlighted music-based curriculums in elementary and junior high charter schools. The successes of these schools came as no surprise to me. We also saw how general charter schools in New York City, not just those with an emphasis on music, outpace their traditional public school counterparts on state-mandated standardized tests while servicing a more disadvantaged student population. Standardized test results are typically how charter schools are evaluated, but that is hardly the only barometer for success. A 2014 study by Mathematica MPR looked at charter school graduation rates in Florida and Chicago and found that high school charter students graduate at a rate between 7 and 11 points higher than district-run school students. Forbes broke down the study, noting how Mathematica MPR controlled for the motivation and engagement factor of families choosing to enroll their children in charter- a favorite argument of charter school critics. The study also found that charter school graduates had greater earning potential in early adulthood: between the ages of 23 and 25, they earned 12.7 percent higher than their traditional public school peers. In the city of Boston, The Boston Opportunity Agenda found the high school drop out rate as of January 2015 is only 2 percent for charter schools, compared to 7.3 percent in traditional public schools. Higher standardized test scores, higher graduation rates, and higher long-term earnings: when done right, charter schools are clearly giving students a brighter future.

Educators in charter schools are able to spur their students on to greater success because they have the freedom from bureaucracy to craft unique curriculums. Of course, simply having this freedom is not necessarily enough motivation to continuously reevaluate and innovate. Charter schools have an added incentive to maximize accountability from both teachers and parents: if students are not succeeding, meaning they are not meeting state standards, the charter will close. One report from the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools found 200 charter schools operating for the 2012-2013 school year were NOT operating for 2013-2014. Americans cherish meritocracy, and extending the value of merit to education is crucial to maintaining high standards of success. If charter schools aren’t meeting state standards, the charter will be revoked. Teachers are on the front lines of education, but parents of charter school children cannot take a back seat: it takes the support of both to maximize student success and ensure the charter school’s doors stay open.

One major concern surrounding charter schools is “cherry picking”- the idea that they are taking only the most privileged students out of public schools, leading to segregation within communities along racial and economic divides. I previously explored the notion of privilege in charter schools, concluding that charters, on average, actually serve a significantly disadvantaged student population. As for segregation, support for charters has been on the rise in minority communities. A survey conducted by Education Next showed that in 2010, 64 percent of African Americans and 47 percent of Hispanics supported charters, up from 42 percent and 37 percent respectively in 2008. Minority communities recognize the potential in charters to level the playing field and break the cycle of poverty. As Roger Lowenstein points out in his commentary on Fortune Insider, charter schools make the greatest difference in urban areas, where minority communities are in need of an education champion. The approach taken by urban, traditional public schools has repeatedly missed the mark, but educators fight an uphill bureaucratic battle to enact any change. We can’t expect teachers to work miracles in a broken system. In charter schools, students can’t be left to struggle or the schools risk being shut down. So when teachers notice floundering students, they must act to get the students back on track- and they have the ability to realistically do so. The results have shown higher test scores, higher graduation rates, and higher earning potential for a largely underprivileged student body. It’s time for detractors to embrace charter schools as an answer to the inner-city education crisis.

The binary of private and district-run public schools is no longer relevant. Charter schools have the winning combination of creative freedom and accountability, and traditional public schools have taken notice. Partnerships between charters and districts can open even more doors for America’s students, ensuring greater opportunities for everyone. And really, this is what it’s all about: boosting our students and making the future of America bright.