"No excuses" charter schools are scrutinized for behavior systems some say are too harsh and a tool of social reproduction. Additionally, if students are expected to remain silent during class, then these environments are seemingly not conducive to true academic success, especially amidst more rigorous and conceptual mathematics standards. Using interviews, classroom observations, and surveys, this study in two NYC high-performing charter schools concluded that what makes these top "no excuses" schools excellent is surprisingly what distances them from the "no excuses" standard definitions. The schools displayed reflective and abridged discipline practices, progressive mathematics pedagogy, and strong school cultures.