OP / ED
School choice was pivotal in my educational journey — not just for the opportunity to attend a better school, but for the personal growth it inspired in me. It wasn’t just about choosing a school; it was about the sacrifices my parents made, the hard work I put in and the lessons learned along the way. These experiences shaped who I am today.
As a child of immigrants living in a low-income neighborhood, my assigned public school was not satisfying my educational needs, but my family could not afford another option. Thankfully, when my local school eventually closed after failing to meet baseline educational standards, ACE Scholarships provided the financial support for me to attend private school, but it didn’t do the work for me. While my scholarship brought me to the starting line, my family and I had to run the race ourselves. I commuted two hours by bus to attend a private school, understanding that it gave me access to an environment that nurtured my development. At the same time, I was aware that the responsibility to succeed was mine.
