they often have longer school days, a year round schedule and in harlem, no shortage of critics who don't like seeing their neighborhood school replaced by one they have to compete to get into. even if the charter school posts impressive results. >> the school in the film, about 95% of the kids are grade level. in harlem over all which is where the school is located it's 56%. for the school in the film, it's one of the highest-performing schools in new york and the most protested. >> reporter: finally, off the waiting list, gregory attends a charter school. his mom says it's working. >> you can see the difference in him. i see it in him too, now. >> reporter: as for the roachfords, they're still waiting for their name to be called. >> i feel every school should be excellent and we shouldn't have to be in a position to make that kind of decision. >> so what do you think we can do to eliminate the need for these huge lotteries? >> reporter: one of the things we can do is allow successful models to be replicated in some of america's most impoverished neighborhoods so children don't