Brett Wynkoop

Building a Brighter Future for Our Children in AD-52

As a resident of Brooklyn and candidate for Assembly District 52, I am committed to ensuring every family has access to excellent educational options that prepare children for success-while using taxpayer dollars efficiently and responsibly.

New York leads the nation in school spending, yet too many students aren't reaching their full potential. We can-and must-do better for families in Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Gowanus, Prospect Heights, and beyond.

The Facts: High Spending, Middling Results

• New York spends more per student than any other state: approximately $36,293-$36,976 annually (2024-25 data from Citizens Budget Commission and NYSED).
• The national average is roughly half that (~$16,000-$18,000).
• Despite this investment, many public school students perform below grade level on national assessments.

2024 NAEP Results - New York Public Schools

Data from the Nation's Report Card (public schools only). These reflect average performance across the state.

Local Comparison: What Works in Our Neighborhoods

In Brooklyn's District 13/15 (covering much of AD-52), charters like Success Academy deliver exceptional results for diverse students-at roughly half the per-pupil cost (~$18,000-$18,200 per student, per NYSED Financial Transparency Reports).

Success Academy campuses right here in Brooklyn serve thousands of local kids and consistently rank among the top performers statewide (#1 in Math, #2 in ELA in 2025 network-wide).

Expanding Choices for Brooklyn Families

Charter schools are tuition-free public schools with proven track records. They use fair lotteries and serve our diverse communities well-educating over 15% of NYC public students (~150,500 kids in 2025-26) and growing steadily.

Other great options exist too, like excellent private and religious schools-but high tuition puts them out of reach for many hardworking families.

Traditional public schools play a vital role in our neighborhoods, offering stability, diverse programs, and ongoing improvements like literacy initiatives and class-size reductions. At the same time, expanding access to high-performing options can help meet the needs of more families.

My commitment: When elected, I will introduce legislation to expand school choice options, making it easier for parents in AD-52 to access high-performing charters and other alternatives. This means better educational outcomes for our children-and smarter use of taxpayer dollars that benefits every family and community.

Better results at lower costs help us all: stronger schools, happier kids, and more resources for what matters most.