Guest post by Gregory Lyakhov
In states like New York, where education policy is often entangled with politics, school choice has become a polarizing topic. Progressive lawmakers, such as NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, have opposed charter schools, voucher programs, and even co-location policies that allow high-performing charter schools to use available space in public school buildings.
But while these policy debates play out, students in underserved communities remain trapped in underperforming schools with limited paths to success.
Against this backdrop, the work of Jessica Bartnick and her nonprofit, the Foundation for C.H.O.I.C.E. (Consider How One Individual Changes Everything), presents a compelling case for why grassroots mentorship and practical guidance matter more than slogans or ideological purity.
Founded in Dallas, Texas in 2014, Bartnick’s organization has made significant strides in supporting low-income high school students who often fall through the cracks of the education system. The Foundation’s 27-week, one-on-one mentoring program helps students navigate the college admissions process, secure scholarships, explore career paths, and develop critical life skills.
The program focuses on students from working-class families—many of whom are from single-parent homes or households where English is not the primary language. These are the very students who are most affected by the failures of public education and who are often overlooked in mainstream education reform efforts.
What sets Foundation for C.H.O.I.C.E. apart is its direct, practical impact. On average, each student mentored through the program secures over $60,000 in college funding. Beyond that, students are connected with businesses aligned with their interests, gaining real-world exposure to professional environments they might never encounter otherwise.
Whether shadowing medical professionals or participating in mock interviews at corporate offices, these experiences not only demystify the professional world—they also give students a reason to believe they belong in it.
Contrast this with the situation in New York. Despite spending more than $36,000 per student—more than any other state—the city’s public schools remain plagued by low test scores, high absenteeism, and declining student engagement.
Charter schools like Success Academy, which enroll a student population that is 98% minority and largely low-income, have demonstrated that dramatic academic gains are possible. Yet leaders like Mamdani continue to oppose their expansion, citing ideological concerns and claiming that school choice drains public funds.
In truth, charter schools operate with less funding per student than traditional public schools, and their success challenges the notion that more money alone can solve deep-rooted education problems.
Mamdani’s approach includes policies that sound inclusive on paper but do little to address academic performance. His support for the “People’s Budget,” which allocates millions to initiatives like increasing teacher diversity and funding inclusivity conventions, ignores the basic reality: children in failing schools need access to strong instruction, safe environments, and clear paths to higher education—not more bureaucracy.
Jessica Bartnick’s model offers a sharp contrast. As a private school parent and conservative, she fully embraces the core idea of school choice: that families, not the government, should be empowered to choose the best educational path for their children. Her organization doesn’t just criticize the system; instead, it builds an alternative for students to thrive within it.
Her copyrighted curriculum is used to train mentors from all backgrounds—no teaching certificate required—so they can guide students in everything from FAFSA applications to SAT prep to college interviews. The results speak for themselves: since its founding, Foundation for C.H.O.I.C.E. has supported more than 6,000 students and is on track to serve 2,000 more by 2030.
If liberal states like New York are serious about equity, they must reconsider their hostility to school choice and organizations like Bartnick’s. Denying families access to high-performing alternatives—whether charters, scholarships, or structured mentorships—doesn’t promote fairness. It entrenches failure.
Public school systems alone cannot meet the complex needs of all students. Grassroots nonprofits that deliver measurable, lasting change deserve greater attention and support. Bartnick’s work proves that when you give students guidance, access, and belief in their potential, they rise to the challenge. New York’s education policy must stop prioritizing ideology over outcomes. It’s time to learn from success stories like Foundation for C.H.O.I.C.E.—and build more of them.
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