More students choose private schools

58 Middletown students were  first-time applicants for EdChoice vouchers.

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By Meagan Engle, Staff Writer 1:17 AM Thursday, July 2, 2009

MIDDLETOWN — More Middletown students applied for a state scholarship to attend private school next year.

Fifty-eight students applied for the first time to the EdChoice program, which offers scholarships from $4,500 to students from schools rated academic watch or academic emergency. That number is up from fewer than 10 first-time filings from the 2008-09 school year, according to the Ohio Department of Education.

Officials attribute the increase to more exposure. The Children’s Scholarship Fund of Cincinnati has focused on informing Middletown families of the EdChoice program, available to students from Rosa Parks, Highview and Amanda elementary schools for the upcoming school year.

Lisa Claytor, the group’s executive director, said the Cincinnati group held informational meetings, canvassed door-to-door and mailed 4,000 brochures.

“I think families, regardless of income, need to have the opportunity for school choice,” said Claytor. “Families shouldn’t be stuck in failing schools because of income.”

Barb Collie is using an EdChoice voucher for the first time to send her sixth-grade son to Middletown Christian Schools. She’s been paying tuition to send her daughter there since October.

“It’s wonderful,” she said of the school. “It’s like sending your child to church.”

With more than 13,000 applications statewide — up more than 2,000 from last year — the program drew closer to the 14,000 limit for Ohio, according to the state.

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J23 Parent; How would you know if the particular child is a Christian or not? Catholics are not the only Christians, too, I might add.

Thomas
3:56 PM, 7/2/2009

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Good mom. Daily brain-washing? Keep drinking your Obama Kool-aid.

what
10:42 AM, 7/2/2009

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The state (aka your taxes) pays $4400 per year to the school district for each kid attending. If a kid is on the EdChoice program the state pays about $3500 per year to send them to John XXIII (as an example). Savings to the state (aka your tax dollars) of $900 per year per kid. That's a total of $52,200 less of your tax dollars spent by the state each year on the education of these 58 kids.

j23alum
10:41 AM, 7/2/2009

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My issue is that there are hardly any non-religious private schools to choose from in this area! Why should I have to send my child to daily brain-washing when I'd rather them get a good education (which is easily attainable when you're willing to spend the time with your child to learn things)!?! I'd rather have the free-thinking child with a well-rounded (lesser)education! At least they'll be more ready for the REAL WORLD!!!

Good Mom
10:18 AM, 7/2/2009

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I would love to send my kids to J23 but can't afford to. And now I find out that I am paying to send other people's kids. Are you kidding me? Once again the hard working man is punished for providing his family w/ a nice home in a good neighborhood while others have things handed to them. Love me some Obamanomics!

Joe
10:01 AM, 7/2/2009

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