Friday Feature: Love Your School
“Do you love your school?” Arizona mom Jenny Clark wants every child to be able to answer that question with a resounding, “YES!” That’s the motivation that led her to start Love Your School.
Jenny is fortunate to live in a state that has a wide variety of educational options. Arizona was a school choice pioneer with the creation of the first education savings account (ESA) program in 2011. Even before that, Arizona families had access to tax credit scholarships and charter schools.
But school choice programs are only beneficial to families who know about them. Love Your School’s mission is to help families know their options. “We love supporting families who are looking for educational options for their children!” Jenny says. “Every family deserves to have access to the educational environment that best meets the unique needs of their child. Through personalized, one‐on‐one support, Love Your School serves families through every step of their journey.”
Love Your School’s website has a wealth of information for parents. There are explanations about various educational options, links to apply for ESAs and tax credit scholarships, information to help parents understand their rights and advocate for their children, and inspirational stories of families who’ve been helped by school choice. Somehow, Jenny has even found time to host a podcast where she has in‐depth conversations with parents, teachers, policymakers, and researchers on a wide variety of education‐related topics.
Since Love Your School started in Arizona, most of the information is Arizona‐focused. But as West Virginia’s new statewide ESA launches, Love Your School has stepped in to hold information sessions and help parents navigate the application process.
If you’re a parent or teacher looking for inspiration or insight, you might want to add Love Your School’s website to your list—even if you’re not in Arizona or West Virginia.
As school choice options increase around the country—last year saw new or expanded programs in 18 states—it’s crucial for parents to understand what options they have and how to access them. Organizations like Love Your School are working to ensure parents have the information and support they need to get their children the best possible education.