Three Kids, Three Paths, One Bright Future

Samoy Mainda – Kansas City Outreach Associate

As a parent, I’ve learned that what works for one child may not work for another.

I have three children. They live in the same house, have the same parents, and share many of the same experiences. But when it comes to education, they each need something different.

Right now, two of my children attend virtual school, while my son attends a traditional public school.

And that’s exactly how it should be.

Every Child Is Different

When I think about school, I don’t ask, “What worked for my oldest?” I ask, “What does this child need to succeed?”

For my son, Seth, a traditional public school has been the best fit. He has a 504 plan, and the structure of being in school every day helps him stay organized and receive the support he needs.

I also know my son well enough to know that learning at home wouldn’t bring out his best. He needs the routine of getting up, going to school, seeing his teachers, and being around other students.

For him, that structure matters.

Hannah Needed Something Different

Hannah’s journey has been very different.

Over the years, she’s experienced traditional homeschooling, private school, and now virtual school. Every step taught us something.

Private school wasn’t the right fit for our family. That doesn’t mean it isn’t a great option for another child. It just wasn’t the right choice for Hannah at that time.

Today, virtual school has given her an environment where she can thrive. Testing has always caused her anxiety, and learning from home allows her to focus more on what she knows than on the pressure she feels in a classroom.

Gabby’s Story Is Still Being Written

Gabriella is currently in virtual school, too.

Will that always be the right choice? I don’t know.

As she grows, we may decide that private school is a better fit. We may look at a microschool. We may discover an option we haven’t even considered yet.

I’ve learned that changing schools doesn’t mean the first decision was a mistake. It simply means we’re paying attention to what our child needs today.

School Choice Isn’t One Decision

One thing our family’s experience has taught me is that school choice isn’t about deciding which type of school is “best.”

It’s about finding the best fit for each child.

Sometimes that means children in the same family attend different schools. Sometimes it means making a different choice a few years later because a child’s needs have changed.

That’s okay.

Our job as parents isn’t to make every child’s education look the same. Our job is to help each child succeed.

For our family, school choice doesn’t look like one school or one path.

It looks like Hannah.

It looks like Seth.

It looks like Gabriella.

Three children. Three different learners. Three different educational journeys.

And that’s exactly what our family needs.

Check out the new CEAM’s Ultimate Guide to School Choice here.