Meet the Baltzley Family of five!
Please list which family members are in which type of school environment (public, private, homeschool, ESA).
Timothy and Matthew, Private School/ESA, Autism Academy for Education and Development
Gabrielle, Private School/ESA, Valley Christian High School
Please share your current model of schooling and some of the reasons why you chose it:
Our family has chosen to enroll our children in Private Schools that can meet the unique and individual needs of our children.
Why do you feel this model of schooling best meets the needs of your children? How have you seen them grow and thrive in these environments?
Our children are on the Autism Spectrum and private schools we have chosen have the specialized environments and staffing that set them up for success. Since making the decision to enroll them in these incredible private schools, we have seen amazing growth in each of them. The anxiety they experienced in their previous settings has disappeared and we have finally have happy learners making amazing progress! Their confidence in themselves has improved greatly and they are making real academic progress as well as building genuine friendships.
How do you feel living in Arizona and the school options you have in Arizona have helped your children in their academic and life pursuits?
When we moved to Arizona in 2008, we were not aware of the School Choice available here. Wow! Were we blown away by the number of different schools and programs there are. It was an incredible feeling to realize that we have options and can be a more integral part of deciding what our children need. Being able to locate and access these schools have really helped them progress toward a brighter future. Our kids have all found places that “fit” them and are moving toward their dreams.
What do you love the best about your current school environment for your kids? What advice do you have for other families considering this option?
We have our three children in two different schools that meet their unique needs. Our sons attend High School at Autism Academy for Education and Development. Our family loves the highly individualized education they receive in an environment where academic excellence and strong character values are highly valued. Our daughter attends Valley Christian High School. We love the spiritual emphasis and the high academic standards. VCHS also offers excellent arts and athletics opportunities and their VINE program has provided the special support she needs. We advise families to really take time to consider what they are looking for in a school for their child. Tour the schools in advance and talk to other families who attend there if you can. Make the decision that’s right for your child and don’t worry about raised eyebrows. You know what your child needs!
