The Stoker Family can attest to the power of school choice. Amy and Trent discuss their son Clay’s journey and how it has changed since receiving a Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship and enrolling at Trinity School at Edgemere. Trinity is a private school that educates students with learning differences, each according to their specific needs, in a supportive and encouraging environment. Most students are supported by Oklahoma’s school choice programs, including the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship, Equal Opportunity Scholarships and the Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit.
“We knew early on that there were some differences with Clay. I would even venture to say even from birth,” said Clay’s mom, Amy.
“At two and a half years old, we received that autism diagnosis. What that did for us, and what it did for Clay, was open the door to a lot of resources for him that we would have had to wait for.
“But we knew starting in sixth grade that we needed something different for Clay. He would continue to get lost in a mainstream classroom and he would just get passed on and passed on and passed on because he’s a fantastic kid. But I wanted him to be able to learn. I wanted him to have his educational needs and goals met. And that was not an option in the public school the way they are set up.
“Clay has had opportunities here at Trinity that he would not have had in the public school. The fact that not only does he play basketball, but he plays well. He would not have had that in the public school.”
Trent, Clay’s dad, says the scholarship has been a game-changer. “The ability to send Clay here and have the opportunity for the credit and certainly the scholarship [was important]. … That changed the game for us.”
“I will tell anybody who will listen that I know in my heart of hearts God brought us to Oklahoma so that Clay could go to Trinity,” said Amy.
“He’s set up for success. We have been talking about college opportunities for Clay. Five years ago, I would have never thought we would have had that conversation.”
And what does Clay think? “I just want to say thank you to you guys for bringing me to this school. This was probably the best school I’ve ever been to, so thank you.”
