When you meet and speak with families who have turned to virtual public schools for their children, a single truth becomes clear again and again: the choice to leave a brick-and-mortar school is never made lightly. These choices are born from love and courage to do what is right for their child, no matter how complicated life may get. 

For Texas mom Carkenda, that decision came after years of watching her son struggle in the traditional classroom. She could see his spark and curiosity at home, but his curiosity was not connecting in the classroom, and he was simply not thriving. 

At a very young age, “I knew something was not right,” she recalls. “He was not comprehending the information from his teacher.” He could not sit down and he was not engaged in his school work, but as Carkenda was informed, “he was too young to be tested for a learning difference.”

When A’Miere turned six, he was finally able to be tested and was diagnosed with combined type ADHD. The diagnosis brought relief but new challenges with it. “Once we knew what we were dealing with, A’Miere’s differences made sense, but I realized quickly that the public school system wasn’t built for kids like my son.”

Discovering What Works With A New Diagnosis

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and all schools went virtual, what Carkenda witnessed during those early months completely changed everything. 

Having A’Miere learn at home was “like night and day,” she said. “In a controlled environment, he was able to sit down. He was engaging more often. He wasn’t shutting down when called on. He wasn’t afraid of being made fun of in front of his classmates.”

For the first time, learning didn’t feel like a battle. A’Miere felt safe, confident and seen. 

When schools reopened and children went back to the classroom, A’Miere’s old struggles returned. While his teachers tried their best to accommodate him, it was clear to Carkenda that the environment was not built for the individualized attention that he needed. Then, when his specialized 1:1 support sessions were quietly discontinued, his progress faltered. 

Carkenda remembers not being informed by teachers or administrations that her son’s 1:1 support sessions were being switched to small groups, a change that she knew would have consequences for her son’s learning.  “I was told he’d be fine in small groups,” she recalls. “But I knew better. He needs 1:1 learning. That’s where he shines.”

So, she made the decision to enroll A’Miere in a public virtual school that could meet his needs without the limitations of a traditional classroom.

“When I tell you, it was like someone flipped a switch,” she says with a smile. “His confidence was through the roof. He went from F’s in first grade to making the A/B honor roll.”

A’Miere’s love for learning returned. His fear of school faded. He began to believe in himself again.

A System That Makes Families Choose

For Carkenda, that transformation came with an unexpected cost, one that had nothing to do with academics.

“When you think about what’s best for your child academically, food isn’t the first thing on your mind,” she explains. “But once you’re home every day, it hits you, those meals matter.”

Before switching to virtual school, A’Miere qualified for free meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). As a single mom raising two boys, that support was essential. “When I realized they offered that program, it was a weight off my shoulders,” she says. “

Today, the family still qualifies for the school mean benefit, but because her son attends a virtual public school, they no longer have access to it. “There are days I go without just so I know A’Miere will have that extra snack,” she admits. “You don’t ever want to deny your child food.” Especially when you know they’re growing and learning. 

This hunger is a quiet burden that thousands of parents share: choosing between the right learning environment and the security of school-provided meals.

“Families choose virtual schools for so many reasons,” Carkenda says. “For us, it was a neurological disorder. For others, it’s bullying or safety or special learning needs. But no matter the reason, our kids still need to eat. We still qualify for help.”

A Mother’s Resolve

Despite the challenges, Carkenda remains steadfast in her belief that she made the right decision for A’Miere. “I’d rather the struggle be on me to feed him,” she says, “than the struggle be on him to learn comfortably.”

For A’Miere, the choice to move to virtual education changed everything. He’s thriving academically, participating in sports and youth programs, and building friendships outside the classroom. He loves learning again. “He doesn’t ever want to go back,” his mom says. 

Carkenda daydreams of a reality where lawmakers are able to extend the National School Lunch Program to every public school student, no matter where they learn. Because “you can’t learn on an empty stomach,” she implores. 

The truth of the matter is: parents shouldn’t have to pick between a learning environment that fits their child and knowing that their child will be fed.

Every Family Deserves a Choice

Every child learns differently, and every family faces unique challenges. 

Families like Carkenda’s remind us why school choice matters. It’s about seeing the individual needs behind every statistic, every classroom, and every policy debate. It’s about building an education system that honors all kinds of learners, and supports all kinds of families.

Carkenda found a learning environment where her son could thrive. Now, it’s time for our nation’s policies to catch up.

Every learner deserves a lunch. Every parent deserves a voice. And every student deserves a choice.