These days, school choice is a hot topic.
Whether it’s parents wanting more say in where their kids go to school, or communities pushing for better options than the local public school, one thing’s clear: people are talking.
Charter schools – public schools that run independently – are right in the middle of that conversation. Some folks love ’em, others aren’t so sure.
But if you want to understand what they can really do when they’re done right, I’ve got a book to recommend.
It’s called Crazy Like a Fox: One Principal’s Triumph in the Inner City by Dr. Ben Chavis, written with Carey Blakely.
This isn’t some boring education theory book. It’s a true story, full of grit and straight talk, about a man who rolled up his sleeves and turned a failing school into a place where kids actually learned – and learned a LOT!
Dr. Chavis took over the American Indian Public Charter School (AIPCS) in Oakland, California, in 2000.
At the time, the place was in really bad shape – poor test scores, bad behavior, and low expectations. It was the kind of school too many kids are stuck in, especially in rougher neighborhoods.
But Chavis didn’t just fix a few things here and there. He turned the whole place upside down.
And the results? Incredible.
Within a few years, AIPCS was one of the top-performing schools in all of California – even beating out schools in wealthier suburbs.
So what was his secret?
Well, first of all, he didn’t play by the usual rules. That’s one of the big benefits of charter schools – they’ve got more freedom to try different things.
And Chavis used that freedom to go back to basics. He believed in discipline, hard work, and personal responsibility. Things that might sound old-fashioned, but they work.
He set clear rules: kids had to wear simple uniforms, show up on time, and behave in class. If they didn’t? There were real consequences.
He didn’t let excuses slide. He believed every kid, no matter their background, could succeed – but they had to be held accountable.
He also focused on the core subjects. No fluff. Math, reading, writing – that’s where the time and energy went.
He made the school day longer and even added Saturday classes. Why? Because kids needed more time to catch up and get ahead.
He expected a lot from his students, but also from their families.
Parents weren’t allowed to sit on the sidelines. He kept them in the loop and made sure they were part of the solution, not part of the problem.
Now, not everyone liked his style. Some critics said he was too tough. But here’s the thing: it worked.
His school went from rock-bottom to top-tier. Test scores soared. Kids who were being written off suddenly had a shot at college. Families that had no good options finally had a real choice.
And here’s why this matters: Dr. Chavis and his book show exactly what a successful charter school can look like.
He didn’t rely on big budgets or trendy fads. He focused on what mattered – teaching kids the basics, setting high expectations, and creating a culture of respect and hard work.
In many ways, Crazy Like a Fox is more than just a story – it’s a model.
If we want charter schools to work, if we want real results, this is the kind of leadership and vision it takes. It’s not always comfortable. It’s not always easy. But it works.
For folks who care about education – and especially those who believe in school choice – this book is a must-read. It proves that with the right person in charge and the freedom to lead, a school can change lives.
So if you’re tired of hearing excuses from the public school system, and you believe parents deserve better options, give Crazy Like a Fox a read.
Dr. Chavis doesn’t just talk about what’s wrong with education – he shows us what’s possible when we do it right.
The book originally came out in 2009, but the lessons are timeless. You can order the book from Amazon by clicking here.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
