The Cartwright family has three kids ages 6, 10 and 14. They have been in public education since the beginning, and all their kids thrived, until COVID hit.
All three were forced online by necessity, with all sports and activities suspended until further notice. This meant the Cartwrights struggled to find adequate care for their children during school hours.
Jenny had to cut back her hours at work, and dad, Nathan, had to take several personal days to help the kids adjust.
Their oldest, Zach, began to struggle with depression. He was always an active kid, very involved in sports and extracurricular activities; having that stripped away was devastating. When Jenny started to see his mental health suffer, she knew a change had to be made.
Private education never seemed like a viable option because they didnβt think they could afford tuition for three kids.
Jenny had never given to the Arizona private school tuition tax credit, but knew friends who used it and reached out to the Institute for Better Education, or IBE, to help.
IBE gives families a choice. As a school tuition organization, IBE works with schools and families to make private education possible.
Tuition scholarships benefit families who live in underserved districts, by allowing them to choose educational opportunities that fit their childrenβs unique needs.
Tuition scholarships offer choice to parents who want their children to receive a private, Christian education, and to families like the Cartwrights who, in the midst of the pandemic, needed to have their children taught in-person.
This past year, IBE received more applications for scholarships than ever before. These scholarships proved critical for many families, giving parents the ability to keep their jobs, and maintain a healthy family life.
It gave kids like Zach stability, allowing them to continue to participate in the sports they love, and to build the relationships that mean so much to them.
The need continues to grow as more families have been able to experience the benefits of educational choice for their children.
At most schools, more than 90% of the students in attendance receive scholarships toward their education.
On average, private education costs $8,000 per student per year. This is out of reach for most families, especially those that have more than one child.
Your donations make a difference in the lives of thousands of children in your community. You get to choose exactly where your state tax dollars go, and can even indicate the family you would like to support.
Help us put children first right here in Arizona with your dollar for dollar tax credit. Visit ibescholarships.org to learn more.
