When my son started kindergarten, I thought I was doing everything right. Like most parents, my husband and I trusted that if we enrolled him in our zoned school, he would learn, thrive, and grow. But within months, it became clear that something was not right. The little boy who once loved learning came home deflated every day, telling me, “I don’t like school, Mom.”  

He struggled socially and fell behind academically. I could see it was not because he wasn’t capable. He simply was not in the right environment.  

We tried everything: public school, homeschooling, and even a short stretch in private school that we could barely afford. Each change brought uncertainty and stress. But everything shifted when we found the right fit: a small private school where my son was seen for who he was, and his potential was realized. Almost immediately, he began to thrive.  

Today, he is in fifth grade and is flourishing. He’s reading above grade level, excelling in science, and catching up in math after once being years behind from gaps in his education. He recently received an award for the highest-grade point average in his class. More importantly, he loves learning again.  

I have seen a similar transformation in my daughter. When she struggled with math, this same school stepped in with a small “math club” designed just for her. That individualized attention helped rebuild her confidence in a way that truly changed her trajectory.  

But that kind of support comes at a cost.  

As a family of six living on a tight budget, it takes sacrifice. We drive older cars and rarely eat out. Each month, we set aside a significant portion of my husband’s paycheck for tuition. Every year, writing that check feels overwhelming. Every semester, we ask the same question: Can we keep doing this?  

We are not alone in our struggle. Across Idaho, parents are making painstaking calculations, juggling everything they can to give their children a chance to succeed. For families like ours, school choice is not a political slogan. It’s the difference between a child who dreads learning and one who runs toward it with confidence.  

When families find the right environment, lives change. I will continue to advocate for policies that give Idaho families real options and meaningful support. No parent should have to choose between financial stability and the place where their child can thrive. Every child deserves the chance to become who they are capable of becoming.