By Tameko Brown, Calvary Chapel Academy, Cleveland, Ohio
I am pleased to be able to send my two school-aged children—Ariana in fifth grade, and Khalil in third grade—to Calvary Chapel Academy. The teachers really care, and my children are not just “one of many.” They receive individualized attention, and we all enjoy the tight school community. The only way that I am able to send my kids to Christian school is because of the Cleveland voucher program. As a single mom, I cannot imagine paying full tuition for two children. I also have two smaller children I plan to enroll at Calvary in a few years. Through the voucher program, I am able to receive 90 percent of the Christian school’s tuition. The voucher program has made all the difference in the world for my children.
We have been receiving assistance from the voucher program for the past five years, ever since my oldest child was in kindergarten. Since the voucher program in Cleveland is limited to grades K–8, I am already thinking about plans for Ariana, who will not be able to participate in the voucher program for high school. I am hoping for additional scholarship money from another source. Otherwise, I will have to send Ariana to a public high school, since I could not afford to pay full tuition for a Christian school with three other children in school as well.
Since we have been attending Calvary, my nephew has also joined the school. He is in first grade and is also a recipient of vouchers.
I would tell anyone I know to apply for a voucher. It works! It is not full of strings and hassles, and my school has been so helpful in keeping me informed. I hope that more voucher programs will be started and that more families will be able to benefit.
The Meantime Volume 2 Number 1