Meet Cali, a second-grade student who loves art, swimming and tumbling—and has made some pretty incredible strides.
For Cali’s family, finding the right educational setting wasn’t simple.
When the private school they hoped would be a good fit wasn’t an option, they faced a difficult decision. A large traditional school environment—with its many transitions—wasn’t the right fit for Cali.
Homeschooling offered another path, but it also meant a parent giving up income to make it possible.
The Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship helped make that choice achievable.
FROM NON-READER TO READER
One of the opportunities Cali’s family was able to access was a reading interventionist.
The change has reached far beyond academics.
Cali went from being a non-reader to reading just above grade level.
And once she could read and write, something else started happening.
She began connecting with other children in her neighborhood.
Instead of watching their games from the sidelines because she couldn’t always follow what was happening, Cali began participating.
Over time, she became comfortable enough not only to join her friends—but to initiate.
Today, she can text neighborhood friends and ask if they want to play.
PROGRESS ISN’T ALWAYS MEASURED ON A REPORT CARD
Cali has also been working on becoming more comfortable with unfamiliar people and unexpected changes.
Everyday experiences such as going to a restaurant, shopping or getting a haircut could be difficult. When an unfamiliar adult asked Cali a question, she often looked to Mom or Dad to answer for her.
Her parents knew pushing wasn’t the answer.
So they gave her time.
There was one experience Cali had watched other girls enjoy that she desperately wanted to try: a makeover at Disney’s Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.
She wanted it.
She was also terrified of it.
Her family told her she would know when she was ready.
This summer, she was ready.
Cali spoke to two different Fairy Godmothers herself. She chose what she wanted, told them she wanted a bow in her hair, and thanked them when they finished.
For many families, those moments might seem small.
For Cali’s family, it was enormous.
MORE THAN ACADEMIC PROGRESS
Her family has watched Cali slowly become more confident and independent.
The little girl who once stayed on the outside of a crowd now asks to walk around the neighborhood, says hello to people and goes places with her best friend.
She reads.
She writes notes to her parents.
She even saved and counted her own money for a Disney trip.
Her mom describes watching her daughter emerge from her shell as beautiful.
ONE YEAR AT A TIME
Cali’s mom is also candid about their educational journey: homeschooling isn’t easy.
Her advice to another family considering a different educational path is simple:
“If traditional school settings aren’t the appropriate choice, I encourage you to try. Just take it one year at a time.”
Every scholarship student’s path looks different.
For Cali, the right combination of family support, individualized education, reading intervention and opportunities to practice skills in the world around her has opened doors that extend well beyond the classroom.
And she’s still going.
Way to go, Cali.