Many civic leaders believe that the New Orleans reform strategy holds promise for increasing educational outcomes in other cities. This is likely true. But this is also true: New Orleans continues to make an equally meaningful contribution to advancing educational equity while advancing educational outcomes.In order to ensure city or district-wide reform efforts are successful in other cities, advocates and practitioners should take lessons from New Orleans focus on systemic equity to improve academic outcomes.This is the untold story of New Orleans education reform. It is a story of how charter schools can increase equity in our public school systems. And it is a story that holds lessons for cities across the country, particularly those cities seeking recovery district-type reform