3 minute read
Indiana School Choice Program Makes Achieving Academic Excellence Possible
Small class sizes, being known by name at school, quality education — these are all things parents want for their children. Here at St. Michael, we are blessed to offer all of this at our parish school. As the school mission states, “Led by the Holy Spirit, St. Michael Catholic School encourages our students to grow in their Catholic faith, achieve academic excellence, and become responsible citizens.”
Sending children to a religious or public school is a decision each family has to make. But this past school year, the State of Indiana made that decision easier with changes to the Indiana School Choice program. This program puts taxpayer dollars back in the hands of parents so they can choose where their student goes to school. For the 2021-2022 school year, the income limits have changed, making this program available to about 85 percent of school families.
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“This money comes from the state,” says Ruth Hittel, Principal. “Tax dollars are able to pay 90 percent of what the public school pays to educate children.”
This Indiana School Choice program has been around for about 15 years, but the income limits have changed drastically. Previously, this program was mostly for families who qualified for free and reduced lunch. Now, anyone who makes 300 percent and less of those limits qualifies.
“This program means parents now have more options for sending their children to school — whether that be St. Michael or somewhere else,” Mrs. Hittel says.
Having been at St. Michael for four years, Mrs. Hittel has worked in education for more than 20 years. She hopes this incredible program will continue for years to come.
“If you said before that you wanted to send your child to a Catholic school, but you couldn’t afford it, now you have the option,” Mrs. Hittel says. “This makes the school affordable to all families. If you skip going out to dinner once per month, you can afford St. Michael.”
Mrs. Hittel asks all parish families to consider sending their children to St. Michael School if you aren’t already — and tell your friends!
“I get to pray with students multiple times per day,” Mrs. Hittel says. “If you want a faith-based setting with amazing staff and small class sizes, check out St. Michael.”
