Over in the Bronx, the Charter School for the Arts and Vertex Partnership Academies have been drawing some attention recently, each for very different reasons. The former has partnered with Relay Graduate School of Education to bolster its teacher retention rates, while the latter played host to U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon, signaling a show of support for school choice.

Teachers at the Bronx Charter School for the Arts, which prides itself on providing an education equatable to that in more affluent neighborhoods, are engaging in courses to better their teaching methods. From social emotional learning to culturally relevant pedagogy, Relay Graduate School of Education seems to be providing the tools for lasting educational impact. "They made everything super easy. We're learning how to educate the whole child. It's not just about academics. It's about social emotional. It's about knowing where your kids are, what stages they are. Emotionally. How can we bring sort of their culture into the classroom? So relay has held me accountable for that, for making sure that my kids can see themselves in their lesson," Enibokun Edosomwan, who teaches eighth-grade biology at the school, told CBS News New York.

Kathy Ortiz, the executive director of Bronx Charter School for the Arts, noted the direct correlation between the Relay program and improvements in her students' grades. "We want to keep our teachers here. So it's a great partnership. I love what they do, and in turn, my teachers love what they do and they learn a lot. And therefore my students are learning a lot. And it shows in my kids grades," Ortiz praised in an interview with CBS News New York.

Meanwhile, Vertex Partnership Academies thrust itself into the spotlight with McMahon's recent visit. In a move met with mixed reactions, McMahon's unsung visit—and subsequent lack of tours to any of the city's traditional public schools—speaks volumes about the current administration's educational priorities. McMahon echoed the sentiments geared toward education options: “School choice is crucial for students and parents to access learning environments that best fit their needs,” as reported by Chalkbeat. The visit lasted about 75 minutes.