Foundation is Everything

Building a solid academic foundation for children supports them for the rest of their lives. So when Chrystal, a single parent working in the public school system, was preparing to start her 4-year-old son Marvin’s academic journey, she was committed to providing him with a quality, values-based private education. “Foundation is everything,” says Chrystal. “This is something I learned working in education. Where a child starts is very important.”

Unfortunately, Chrystal finds herself in an economic middle ground that, unchanged, makes it nearly impossible for Marvin to attend a private K-12 school. Her salary is too high to receive government assistance but too low to cover the high cost of tuition. “I considered working a second job in the evenings to cover his tuition,” says Chrystal, “but I already work days, and that would mean even less time with Marvin. And quality time with his mother is also very important.”

Enter Arete Scholars. With the help of a partial tuition scholarship from Arete, Chrystal was able to send Marvin to the school that best served his needs. “I am so thankful for Arete,” says Chrystal. “Marvin is doing great at his new school! He’s learning Christian values, he’s writing his name, and he’s completely come out of his shell.” 

Chrystal attributes much of Marvin’s success to the student-teacher ratio at his private school, allowing each child to get their needed attention. His pre-K teacher, Ms. Birch, was able to identify the areas where Marvin needed improvement, address those areas, and communicate his progress to his mother. “Ms. Birch went above and beyond,” says Chrystal. “She is a wonderful teacher, the very first teacher Marvin experienced, and I am forever grateful for the foundation she’s helped build.”