6 years ago
A single Mom living right across the street from a public school in Southeast DC is choosing a new educational route for her children.
Michelle Clark is taking advantage of the New federal vouchers for private schools.
"I love my babies to death, I really do", says Clark.
The love Clark feels for her two daughters -- compels her to give them the best education possible.
"They needs a school structured and one that has spiritual values", she says.
Danielle is 6. She and her 5-year old sister, Tiffany are going to St. Benedict the Moor. The new federal scholarships Congress approved for low-income families will pay their tuition.
Their mother says she wanted more for Danielle than a public charter school delivered.
"She wasn't being challenged", Clark says.
And for Tiffany, Clark envisions an encouraging, supportive environment.
Danielle is looking forward to making new friends and, and Tiffany is just happy she'll be in the same school with her sister.
Clark, a single Mom, will have to leave home earlier and catch Metro to get her girls to St. Benedict. It is a sacrifice she's excited about making for the daughters she adores.
The Washington Scholarship Fund and its partners are already gearing up to recruit more families for next year's voucher program.
So far, 57 private and parochial schools in the District are accepting District students with vouchers.
The program has received 2,689 applications since the end of April.
1,800 students qualified for federal scholarships up to 75-hundred dollars each.
The fund will send about 1,280 voucher students to private schools this year.
Officials say they had more 6th thru 12th grade applicants than slots available in private schools.
Click on video to see Phyllis Armstrong's report.
Written By Phyllis Armstrong
