Kids Ain't Cheap

But They Sure Are Worth It

Here’s How to Send Your Children to Private School

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Perhaps you are considering enrolling your kids in private school. Private schools offer unique benefits from a social, athletic, and academic perspective. One of the most important things to be aware of regarding public schools is that your kids will have to go through an application process. If you are concerned about the application process, don’t be! This guide will inform you so that your kids will be fully equipped to pass the application process.

Try Early Enrollment

Research shows that around 10% of students in the United States attend private schools. While that may seem like a small number, competition for these spots is exceptionally tight. Getting started on the enrollment process as soon as possible can give you an advantage. Consider researching schools for your kids at least eight months in advance. Also, keep in mind that different schools have different time frames and guidelines.

Check Financial Requirements

Often, the hardest obstacle for many parents when enrolling their kids in a private school is meeting the financial demands. Researching the cost of tuition should be one of your top priorities. Contact the schools that you’re interested in to see if they offer financial aid to families.

Assess Your Child’s Talents

Making sure that your kids are happy is a top priority. Look for private schools that appeal to your kid’s talents. Maybe your child likes sports, art, or theater. Perhaps you are trying to enroll young kids in private schools. Over 50% of young kids between the age of three and five were enrolled in school throughout 2020. If you have young kids that you’re trying to enroll, check to see if they offer any daycare options. Assessing all of these options will help you determine if the potential schools that you’re looking at are a good fit.

Focus on Academic Performance

Strong academic performance is something that boarding school admissions weigh heavily. If you’re trying to get your kids enrolled in high school, admissions will assess whether they are involved in any academic teams, tutoring, or any other programs that showcase how passionate they are about learning.

Improve Standardized Test Scores

Standardized test scores are another huge part of the admissions process. Consider having your kids take the SSAT and ISEE. The SSAT will test your kids’ math, vocabulary, reading, and writing knowledge. The ISEE will test your kid’s reading, math, writing, verbal, and quantitative skills. Be advised that each test has different registration deadlines, so try to take a proactive approach when preparing your kids.

Get Reputable References

A few references can help your kids during the application process. Many private schools expect multiple references from instructors. A strong recommendation from your kids’ instructors puts them in a favorable position to get accepted. If your kids are involved in extracurricular activities, ask your kids’ coach or instructor if they would be willing to write a letter of recommendation. Networking can also be an asset as well. Obviously, it’s harder to obtain recommendations if your kids have had behavioral issues in the past, such as distracted driving. Tennessee and Kentucky along with over 30 other states have rules in place to prohibit texting while driving. As long as your child doesn’t have any glaring legal issues following them, they should be in the clear!

Nail a Personal Interview

An overlooked step during the admissions process is the personal interview. It’s important that your kids are well-prepared for any questions that may be asked. Having mock interviews with your kids is a great way to help them prepare. You can also offer helpful tips on good body language and attire. It’s natural for your kids to feel nervous during the interview. However, the more practice they have, the more likely it is that they will test well during the interview.

These tips should help your kids get enrolled in the best private schools! Good luck!

5 Reasons to Invest in Montessori Parenting for Your Children

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The educational philosophies of Dr. Maria Montessori serve as the foundation for the Montessori parenting approach. It entails respecting and fostering a child’s natural development by fostering independence, creativity, and learning. But what are the reasons why you might consider Montessori parenting for your child? Let’s dig deeper!

1. Upgrades Your Parenting Style

Older appliances are the reason why owners go for kitchen remodels. While a contemporary kitchen can be an excellent addition to your house, making educational and developmental investments in your children is even more critical. The main goal of Montessori parenting is to develop a child’s natural curiosity and desire to learn.

Implementing Montessori parenting techniques can help you foster your child’s intellectual, social, and emotional growth. Montessori parenting also emphasizes the child’s freedom and self-motivation to allow children to grow at their own speed. This method focuses on guiding rather than directing the kid’s learning, which can help the child develop self-control and responsibility.

2. Helps Prevent Tragic Consequences

Driving while drunk claims the lives of 28 people every day. Montessori parenting can assist kids in acquiring the decision-making abilities required to make appropriate decisions by encouraging independence and self-discipline. Avoiding dangerous habits like drinking and driving is part of this.

You can also urge your children to take ownership of their behaviors and increase their capacity for critical thought through the Montessori parenting approach. This can lead to healthier decisions later in life, such as refraining from harmful actions like driving while intoxicated. Parents can help avert disastrous outcomes in the future by encouraging their kids to think critically and make responsible decisions. They can give their children the tools through the Montessori approach to help them face obstacles in life with maturity and confidence.

3. Acts as an Alternative to Traditional Schooling

The Montessori method of education is an alternative to traditional education that strongly emphasizes student-centered learning and independent play. As of 2019, there were 5.8 million pupils enrolled in private schools in the United States. The same idea of private schools guides Montessori parenting, which lets kids learn at their own pace and in a method that best meets their particular requirements.

Montessori parenting may give kids a solid educational foundation suited to their learning preferences, interests, and aptitudes. It promotes children’s independence, self-reliance, and confidence as learners by strongly emphasizing problem-solving, creativity, and practical life skills. Therefore, children who receive a Montessori education are more likely to develop a lifelong love of learning and a strong sense of personal responsibility, which can help them succeed in all areas of their lives.

4. Encourages Creativity and Imagination

The idea that kids learn best via practical experiences is one of the cornerstones of Montessori parenting. Parents of Montessori children encourage their kids to participate in artistic, musical, and imaginative play. You can foster a lifelong love of learning in youngsters by providing a rich atmosphere that encourages exploration and creativity.

5. Nurtures Independence and Self-Confidence

Children are encouraged to take charge of their own education and make decisions in a Montessori setting. Montessori parenting encourages independence and self-assurance by allowing kids to solve problems and make decisions. Youngsters who feel good about themselves are likelier to do well in school and social lives.

Montessori parenting can help your child become a lifelong learner and prepare them for success in school and beyond by creating an environment that encourages creativity and curiosity. Making educational investments in your children through Montessori parenting can greatly impact their future. Consider this style of teaching for your little ones!

Can Private Schools Improve Security With Cost-Effective Fencing?

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As private schools continue to grow in popularity, it becomes increasingly important to ensure that they are secure and safe environments for students. One way that private schools can improve security is by investing in cost-effective fencing. Let’s explore the benefits of fencing for private schools and why it’s a cost-effective solution to improve security.

Private Schools Are Small

One of the defining characteristics of private schools is their size. In fact, 87% of private schools have fewer than 300 students. This is an important fact to consider when thinking about security. Smaller schools may not have as many security personnel, which is why cost-effective solutions are particularly appealing.

Aluminum Fencing Is Long-Lasting and Eco-Friendly

One of the best solutions for private schools looking to improve security is aluminum fencing. Not only is aluminum fencing a cost-effective option, but it is also extremely long-lasting. In fact, aluminum fencing can last for decades with proper maintenance. This makes it a great investment for private schools that want to ensure security for years to come.

Another great feature of aluminum fencing is that it is 100% recyclable. This means that if a school ever decides to replace the fencing, the metal can be recycled and used again. This is an important factor to consider for private schools that want to promote sustainability and reduce their impact on the environment.

Private School Students Perform Better on Standardized Tests

While security is an important concern for private schools, it’s also worth considering the academic performance of students. Private school students perform better than their government school counterparts on standardized achievement tests. This is a testament to the quality of education that private schools provide, and it highlights the importance of providing a secure and safe learning environment for students and their family members.

Fencing

Fencing is a simple but effective solution for improving security at private schools. By creating a physical barrier around the school grounds, it can help prevent unauthorized access and keep students and staff safe. Furthermore, fencing can also serve as a deterrent to potential intruders, who may think twice before attempting to enter the school grounds if they know they will have to get past a fence.

One of the biggest benefits of using aluminum fencing for private schools is its durability. Unlike wood or vinyl fencing, aluminum fencing is highly resistant to weather, insects, and other environmental factors that can cause damage over time. This means that schools can invest in fencing without worrying about frequent repairs or replacements, which can be costly and time-consuming.

Another advantage of using aluminum fencing is that it is low maintenance. Unlike other types of fencing, aluminum fencing does not require painting, staining, or sealing, which can be time-consuming and labor-intensive. This makes it a great choice for schools that want to improve security without having to devote significant resources to maintaining the fence.

Fencing can also provide privacy and a sense of separation from the surrounding community, creating a safe and secure learning environment for students. Additionally, fencing can enhance the appearance of the school and give it a professional, well-maintained look. Whether a school is located in a densely populated area or a rural location, fencing can help to create a safe and secure perimeter that students, staff, and visitors can trust. By making a smart investment in cost-effective fencing, private schools can improve security and provide a safe and secure learning environment for students.

By investing in cost-effective fencing, private schools can provide a safe and secure environment for students while also improving the overall quality of education.

5 Tips for Hiring a Lawyer After You’ve Been in an Accident

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It goes without saying that a car accident injury affects the victim and the entire family. Every year in Texas alone, there are 256,797 car accident injuries. Every single one of these cases involves someone’s mother, father, or grandparent — someone very dear to them. Hiring the right lawyer after a vehicle accident is critical for your accident claim and protecting your family in the future. Here are five tips to ensure you choose the right lawyer.

1. Look for an Experienced Lawyer

Insurance companies can be difficult. Thankfully this can be lessened if you have an experienced lawyer. An experienced lawyer that focuses on car accidents knows how to work around difficulties with the insurance company. They know what it takes to protect the victim of a car accident and their family from being short-changed. Insurance companies will look for ways to deny your claim and even medical care. An experienced lawyer will not let that happen. You and your family deserve high-quality legal counsel that an experienced lawyer can provide throughout the claim process. Don’t settle for inexperience.

2. Look for a Lawyer That Works on Contingency

Do you and your family have the money to pay a lawyer upfront to represent you in your car accident case? Most people don’t. The good news is that you can hire a lawyer that will cost you $0 in out-of-pocket expenses. Legal fees can get expensive; for example, lawyers in Seattle charge between $250-$375 per hour for their services. A lawyer that works on a contingency basis gets paid once your accident claim settles. After your claim settles, they take a percentage of the settlement. In other words, you can have great representation for your insurance claim without worrying about finances.

3. Look for a Lawyer With a Reputation For Compassion

You must choose a compassionate lawyer for what you and your family are going through. This can be a very stressful time for you and your family. A compassionate lawyer will understand that and be willing to take some stress off your shoulders. A great deal of stress comes from not knowing what to expect. The right lawyer will be communicative and keep you informed about your case. It is important that any lawyer you consider moves with compassion. You can recognize a compassionate lawyer by how they speak to you during your consultation and how well they listen to your concerns.

4. Look For A Lawyer That Will Fight for You

Most accident cases are settled out of court. In fact, about 91% of personal injury cases never make it to trial, but that doesn’t mean every case does not make it to trial. Choose a lawyer that is not afraid to take your claim to trial if the insurance company insists on denying compensation that you and your family deserve. You want an aggressive lawyer that always puts your best interests first. Your rights are worth fighting for.

5. Choose a Lawyer with an Impressive Winning Record

Getting the compensation you and your family deserve after a car accident relies heavily on choosing a lawyer who has proven they can get you the compensation you deserve. A good choice is a lawyer with a proven track record of getting clients what they deserve. Ask friends and family for recommendations, then check the lawyer’s record.

Each year, 40 million cars are sold in the United States between dealerships and private party sales. There are a lot of cars on the road and many accidents every year. If you have been in a car accident, don’t make the mistake of putting your family and financial future at risk. Get the representation that you deserve. Call an accident attorney today and protect your rights.

Our Favorite Quick Lunches for Kids

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Quick Lunches for Kids

Back-to-school season brings the dreaded lunch prep. If your child doesn’t get a meal at school or you need to pack food for daycare, you know what I mean. Parents should pack a lunch that the kids like, has variety, and is relatively healthy. After a few weeks, getting into a lunch-packing rut is easy. My kids used to go to school, and I remember how time-consuming packing lunches could be. Now we homeschool, but last year, instead of making lunch every day, I started packing our favorite quick lunches for kids so they could pull them from the refrigerator at lunchtime, and it was a time saver!

Time-Saving Techniques

Utilize these strategies to save time preparing lunches:

Get the Kids Involved

Let the kids help you by making sandwiches or filling containers with chips. Kids are more likely to want to eat what they help make because they can make the food the way they want (within reason). For example, my girls split this job. One makes all the sandwiches for the week, and the other fills all the chip containers.

Take Advantage of Dead Time

When cooking dinner, I often have dead time when I need to stir the meal I’m cooking, but I don’t have anything else to do while waiting for the food. I use this time to cut carrot sticks and celery or other fruits and vegetables to add to lunches for the week.

Prepare in Bulk

Another good strategy is if you’re making a few, make many. For instance, if I need four hard-boiled eggs for a meal, I’ll make 12 so that I have extra that I can use for future lunches. Likewise, if I make energy balls with peanut butter and oats, I’ll make a double batch and stick some in the freezer for lunches next week.

Easy Foods to Prep

Some foods are quick to prep and freeze well.

Frozen Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches

Instead of making one PB & J sandwich, make sandwiches out of an entire loaf of bread. Then, freeze each sandwich. Remove it from the freezer in the morning, and the sandwich will be thawed by lunch.

Muffins

Quick Lunches for Kids

Make a batch or two of banana muffins or another flavor your kids like and pop them in the freezer. Then, you can pull them out individually to put in lunches each day.

Easy Fruits

Some fruits like cantaloupe and watermelon require you to cut them open and chop them into bite-size pieces. These aren’t the kind of fruits I pack. Instead, I choose easy fruits such as clementines or grapes. All I have to do is stick a clementine in the lunchbox or give the grapes a quick rinse and put them in the container.

Final Thoughts

Making lunches can be time-consuming, but the process doesn’t have to be. Our favorite quick lunches for kids are easy, nutritious, and taste good. Plus, you’ll have more time in your day when you’re not spending as much time prepping food and packing lunches!

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5 Ways We Inspire a Love of Reading in Our Kids

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Inspire a Love of Learning

As a child, one of my favorite activities was reading. This love of reading and later, writing, helped lead me to major in English in college, become a college English instructor, and learn more about the world than I ever could have without books. Because books enriched my life so heavily, when I had kids, I wanted them to love reading as much as I did. Luckily, most of them do. We inspire a love of reading in our kids using the following methods.

How We Inspire a Love of Reading in Our Kids

To help your kids fall in love with books and reading, you need to immerse them in the reading world.

Read Aloud to Them

From the time our kids were born, we read aloud to them. At first, we started with short board books like Goodnight Moon and The Going to Bed Book. (At this stage, don’t be surprised or annoyed if your child asks you to read the same book over, and over, and over again!) Then we expanded into longer stories until we were reading our kids chapter books when they were in preschool. I continued reading to them all through middle school.

Have a Home Library

To foster a love of reading, surround your kids with books. We always had bookshelves filled with books the kids could look through when they were little and read when they started school.

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to do this. For example, we picked up most of our kids’ books at garage sales for 10 cents or less.

Take Them to Library Activities

The public library is a wonderful resource that we utilize frequently. We started by bringing our kids to the library to pick out their books and to join in on story hour. Because of these early experiences, our kids always associated the library with fun.

Participate in Reading Rewards Programs

In the summer, sign your kids up for reading rewards programs. For example, Pizza Hut has the Book It program. Your public library likely has a reading program, too. Our son was one of the top readers one summer in elementary school, so he got to join the other top readers for a bowling and pizza excursion compliments of the library. He still talks about how much fun that was.

Let Them See You Read

Inspire a Love of Reading

Kids learn best by watching your actions. You can tell them that reading is fun, but if they don’t ever see you reading, you’re not reinforcing that lesson. My kids see me read books and hear me listen to audiobooks in the car. I love to read, and they see me regularly taking time to do so.

Final Thoughts

We inspire a love of reading in our kids, which was one of the best things we could do. Today, they still read for fun and recreation, enjoy learning, and have an exceptional vocabulary.

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Why Our Child Decided to Take a Gap Year

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Why Our Child Decided to Take a Gap Year

Our 18-year-old son graduated from high school this year. As most seniors do, he applied to several colleges in our area last fall. He got into all of them and received substantial scholarships to two of the colleges. He planned to start college this upcoming fall. And then his life was upended, which is why our child decided to take a gap year.

What Is a Gap Year?

For those who don’t know, a gap year is when graduating high school students take a year off before they begin college. They use that time in various ways, such as working to raise money for college, volunteering in the field they want to pursue, or traveling.

Why Our Child Decided to Take a Gap Year

In May, my husband got a new job 2,200 miles from our current location. Our son had always wanted to go to college nearby to live with us and save money. However, because we were moving in July, he no longer wanted to go to the colleges where he had received scholarships. He had to start his college search over again.

Unfortunately, the college scholarships that were plentiful in October had all but dried up by July.

He found colleges to apply to in our new location that accepted applicants on a rolling basis. He did get a few scholarships, but not nearly as many as he would have gotten had he applied to those schools in the fall.

To make matters worse, he would have had to pay out-of-state tuition because we hadn’t lived in the new state for 12 months before he wanted to start college. So, after careful consideration, he decided to take a gap year.

How He Plans to Use His Gap Year

Why Our Child Decided to Take a Gap Year

Even though he never considered taking a gap year, he’s warmed up to the idea. He’s made a long list of activities he plans to do for his gap year.

Volunteering

Our son has always been interested in volunteering. During high school, he volunteered more than 100 hours. He hopes to volunteer at a local cat shelter and the public library during his gap year.

Working

In addition, he plans to work part-time and save money for college.

Applying to College

In the fall, he will reapply to the colleges he applied to in July. Since he’s applying at the typical time students do, he’s hoping he’ll be eligible for more significant scholarships.

Final Thoughts

My husband and I understand why a gap year is the better choice given that we’ve recently moved to our new location and colleges in the area would be pricey. We are slightly concerned that he may decide not to go to college after this. However, our son was always the youngest in his class because he has a summer birthday, so taking a gap year may be the perfect way to give him more time to mature and qualify for larger scholarships.

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3 Mistakes We Made in the College Process

3 Mistakes We Made in the College Process

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Mistakes We Made in the College Process

First children are always the guinea pigs of the family. Parents experiment with them and learn how parenthood works. They understand that once you have children, life doesn’t always go as planned. Our oldest, who recently turned 18, is also our guinea pig when it comes to college. We’ve learned that there are significant mistakes we made in the college process with him. Luckily, we’re learning from these experiences, so hopefully, we’ll be smarter with the college process with our younger two children.

Not Having a Backup Plan

My husband and I have always worked in education. I worked at a community college until I quit after our third child was born, and my husband has worked at two different universities.

We didn’t have money to save for college when our kids were young, but we weren’t concerned because we knew that our children could receive a tuition discount if they went to college where my husband worked. Between that discount and the scholarship our son received, he could have lived at home and gone to college for free.

However, life doesn’t always work out as we plan.

Moving After His Senior Year

My husband had been looking for a job for the past 18 months. He had interviewed and made it to the final rounds for four different jobs. However, none worked out. He applied for one more this past February, and we decided if he didn’t get that one, we’d quit looking until after our oldest finished college.

Luckily, for my husband’s career, he got the job. However, the job required a move across the country. While the job pays much more than his current position, it’s not at a university, so we no longer have a college tuition discount.

In addition, our son hadn’t applied to any of the nearby colleges in the new location because we didn’t know we’d be here. He missed out on the prime time for college admissions and scholarships. Now, he’s stuck applying only 6 to 8 weeks before college begins.

Not Specifying How Much We Would Contribute

Mistakes We Made in the College Process

Some parents tell their children what amount they have to contribute to their college education. Then, the children can use that amount as a basis to help them determine which colleges they will attend based on affordability. We never had that discussion because we didn’t think we had to; our child knew he could get a substantial tuition discount.

Now, we don’t know how much we can afford to pay because we’re moving to a new geographic area of the country and still aren’t sure how much typical monthly expenses will be. That makes determining affordability difficult.

Final Thoughts

The three mistakes we made during the college process have made the experience more difficult for our son than it needed to be. We had a unique set of circumstances that, hopefully, won’t happen to our younger children.

However, we’ve learned from our mistakes and will now be saving for their college tuition and setting a limit for them that we can pay.

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Can You Homeschool and Work from Home?

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Homeschool and Work from Home

While homeschooling had been steadily growing in popularity, that growth exploded during the pandemic. Two years into the pandemic, some of those families who started homeschooling in 2020 have sent their kids back to school. Yet, many of them found that they enjoyed homeschooling and continue to do so. However, can you homeschool and work from home?

How to Homeschool and Work from Home

With the rising prices of food, gas, and other necessary items, for many families, having one parent stay home to homeschool isn’t an option unless that parent can also work part-time from home. I’m happy to say that you can homeschool and work from home. I’ve been doing so for the last eight years.

Homeschooling and working from home require excellent time management skills and flexibility on your and your family’s part. I can’t say what will work best for every parent who homeschools and works from home, but these are the steps that make it possible for me to do so:

How to Find Time to Work from Home

The first step to successfully juggling homeschooling and working from home is determining when you can work.

Co-ordinate with Your Spouse

My husband’s cooperation is essential. He’s the primary breadwinner, but every weekend for the last eight years, he’s spent his time with the kids so I can complete my work uninterrupted. I work about 10 hours total on the weekend, so I still have time to spend with the family. However, I do the bulk of my work on Saturday and Sunday. If my husband wasn’t willing to spend weekend time with the kids, I wouldn’t be able to work and homeschool.

Get Up Early or Work Late

Another way I find pockets of time to work is to get up early. I typically wake up by 5 a.m., do an hour or so of my work, and then exercise for 45 minutes, all before the kids wake up. Keeping this routine allows me to get another five to seven hours of work done each week.

If you’re not an early riser, you can stay up late. One homeschooling, work-at-home mom I know starts her workday after the kids go to bed. She typically works from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. every day.

Take Jobs with Flexible Deadlines

I find the best jobs for me to complete while working at home are ones that have flexible deadlines. I am a freelance writer, and I have assignments due on certain days of the week. However, I know the topics well in advance, and I can work on them anytime during the month as long as I get them done by the deadline. Having that flexibility is essential.

I know some work-at-home jobs require that you’re available during certain hours and have a quiet location to answer the phone. While that may work for some families, for my family, I wouldn’t be able to do that because my kids are rarely quiet!

Recognize Some Home Tasks Won’t Get Done

Homeschool and work from home

As a homeschooling, work-at-home parent, recognize that you can’t do it all. It’s just not possible. For instance, I think I do a fair job of homeschooling, working, and cooking meals at home for my family. The neatness of my home is a different story. Our house has a lived-in look and is not as tidy as I would like. Although it bothers me sometimes, I know that I can’t do it all. For this season of my life, my house will be messier. I can have a tidier home when the kids are grown, and I’m no longer homeschooling.

You’ll Have Less Time to Relax

If you both homeschool and work from home, your days will likely be tightly scheduled, especially if you have several kids. Understand that you might not have as much time to relax as you would like. I love to read, but I don’t get to as often as I want because of my homeschooling and work responsibilities.

How to Find Time to Homeschool

Once you figure out how to find time to work, you next need to find time to homeschool. Keep in mind, you don’t have to teach your kids from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Since your kids are the only students, you may find that you get more done in less time than a teacher at a brick-and-mortar school who has 30 students she has to manage.

Be Flexible with the Schedule

In addition, be flexible with the homeschool schedule. For instance, if you need to read aloud a book to your child as part of your lesson, you can do that at night when you read to the kids before bed. No one says you have to read it during the school day. Or you could get the book on audio and listen to it in the car while you drive to an appointment.

Have Teacher-Led Activities at Scheduled Times

If you thrive on a schedule, determine when you will work one-on-one with each child. For instance, I work with my middle child from 8 to 9:30 a.m. and my youngest child from 9:30 to 11 a.m. After that, I prep lunch, and the kids do independent work. If we have anything to finish up together, we do that in the early afternoon, and then we are done with school for the day.

Choose a Less Teacher-Intensive Curriculum

Homeschool and Work from Home

If you’re working more than 10 to 15 hours a week, you may want to choose a less teacher-intensive curriculum such as an online program. That will free you from some homeschool time and give you more time to work while your children complete their schoolwork for the day.

Final Thoughts

Trying to homeschool and work from home is not easy, but it is possible. If you need the money from a job or enjoy working, know that you can both homeschool and work from home if you are flexible and well-organized.

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5 States That Offer Empowerment Scholarships for Special Needs Children

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Empowerment Scholarships for Special Needs Children

When you have a special needs child, you face many expenses. Your child may need intensive speech, physical, occupational, and behavioral therapy. While some families find they can receive some of the services they need for their child at school, others find that public schools cannot handle, or provide, the intervention a special needs child requires. If you’re frustrated with the public school system’s response to, and services for, your child, you may want to investigate whether you’re in one of the 5 states that offer empowerment scholarships for special needs children.

General Assistance

Nearly half of the states offer some type of school choice for their residents. (Ed Choice explains the different programs each state offers.) Programs vary from a tax credit, to a stipend to help children attend private schools instead of public, to empowerment scholarships.

States That Offer Empowerment Scholarships for Special Needs Children

Currently, five states offer empowerment scholarships (ESA):

  • Arizona,
  • Florida,
  • North Carolina,
  • Mississippi,
  • Tennessee

Who Qualifies for an ESA?

Students who meet certain requirements such as having a documented disability or residing in a school district with an underperforming school can receive empowerment scholarships. Requirements vary per state.

In Arizona, where I live, a student must attend public school for at least 45 days and have a documented disability, have a parent who is in the military, or live in an underperforming school district to be eligible for an ESA. Once a special needs student begins to receive an ESA, her siblings, even those without disabilities, can also receive one if they’ve met the requirement of attending a public school for 45 days.

How Do ESA Programs Work?

In Arizona, a child who has an ESA receives 90% of the state money that would have been used to educate the child at a public school. (The other 10% goes to the child’s local public school even if the child is not attending.)

The size of a child’s ESA funding depends on his documented disability. Children with autism and Downs Syndrome receive the largest scholarships because they typically require more interventions than a child with ADHD, for example.

Every quarter, the child receives a financial distribution in his ESA account. That money can then be used for:

  • private school tuition,
  • homeschooling expenses,
  • therapies,
  • Educational testing,
  • Extracurricular activities, and
  • Other approved expenses

Our Experience with Arizona’s ESA Program

I have three children; each has two special needs. Two have autism, two have dyslexia, and two have ADHD. We became members of the ESA program in 2019.

Empowerment Scholarships for Special Needs Children

ESA has been a lifesaver for my children. They have benefited from private Barton Reading & Spelling tutoring to help them with their dyslexia. They have received educational testing, speech therapy, and private math tutoring. I’m also able to homeschool the younger two children and pick curriculum that suits them and their learning styles.

Before receiving ESA for my kids, they received speech therapy through the public school. They had 30 minutes of group therapy with three other kids once a week. After ESA, they received 30 to 60 minutes of private speech therapy weekly. That made an enormous difference in how quickly they progressed and ultimately finished speech therapy.

Final Thoughts

If you have a child with special needs, you know how expensive providing for their academic and therapeutic needs can be. If you live in one of the states that offer Empowerment Scholarships for special needs children, consider looking into the program for your child. I’ve even heard from several parents of special needs children who specifically moved to Arizona for the Empowerment Scholarship and the opportunities it afforded their children.

Read More

How to Afford Raising a Child with Special Needs,

Better Ways to Gift Money to Children,

Sensory Integration Strategies for Children with Autism