Life does not always go according to plan. 

As many parents may know, in just one single moment, the stable ground you work so hard to build beneath your family may shift, bringing along new hurdles and challenges you may not be able to anticipate. For Shenell Ellerbe of Florida, that moment came when her role in special education was eliminated. Overnight, she lost both her income and the ability to work in the same program that her special education daughter, Subi, attended. 

Soon after, housing insecurity exacerbated their family’s hardship, and the question facing Shenell became: How do you give your child the stability of an education when you are facing lots of uncertainty?

That answer was virtual school. 

Discovering the Lifeline of Virtual Public School

Subi was thriving during her freshman year in her brick-and-mortar special education program. But when her mother’s position was cut, the logistics of traditional schooling became nearly impossible. Shenell recalls, “I had to take her out of that program out of necessity.” 

What came next was the discovery of the Digital Academy of Florida, a public virtual school.

At first, the idea felt foreign. “Subi was so used to being in school, so we had to pivot from that reality to a new reality,” Shenell says. But within a short time, Subi adjusted and fell in love with the program. Now a high school senior, she has flourished in an online environment that gave her freedom, flexibility, and, most importantly, continuity when life was anything but predictable.

“We lost our house because I lost my income, and we were staying in hotels,” Shenell reflects. Because she was a virtual student, however, Subi did not miss a beat. “She was able to go to class, be amongst her peers, have the support of her teachers, the school staff, and a social worker. It really made a difference,” Shenell says. “She could do her assignments, take her tests, and keep moving forward despite our struggle.”

Losing Access to School Lunch

While the transition to virtual public school offered academic stability, it came with a heavy and unexpected tradeoff: Subi no longer qualified for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). 

“When she was in brick and mortar, Subi qualified for free and reduced-price meals. It was great. She could sit at lunch with her peers, and I didn’t have to worry about whether she’d eat that day,” Shenell says. The benefit meant that Shenell had one less thing to worry about when it came to making ends meet. 

“But now, with virtual school, those benefits aren’t accessible. I have to stretch my dollars so she can have groceries and snacks to help her be able to learn and not be hungry.” 

For families like the Ellerbes, that difference is monumental. Homelessness, job loss, and other life upheavals don’t stop a child’s need to eat. Shenell remarks, “when you’re in that situation, you can’t promise your child things like when they will eat, what they will eat, or if they will eat at all. In brick and mortar, she had that reliable eating structure. Parents across the nation deserve to be able to say, ‘It doesn’t matter what school my kids go to, I can say to them, yes you WILL have lunch today.’”

Every Family’s Circumstances Are Different

If Shenell’s story illustrates anything, it’s that there is no cookie-cutter family, and therefore, no one-size-fits-all education option. Families across the country face different challenges every day, whether that be job loss, illness, bullying, or a cross country move. For some, traditional school is the right answer. But for others, a virtual school offers the stability and structure they need to feel secure. 

“All parents should look at the education options available to them so you can best educate your child no matter what challenges you face,” Shenell urges. “It is important as parents that we have a choice and say in how and where our children are educated.”

But there is one thing every parent she speaks to has in common, Shenell comments. “We are all doing the best we can to take care of our children so they can have what they need on a day to day basis.”

No Child Should Be Left Out

If she could speak to lawmakers directly, Shenell emphatically remarks that she would implore them to include all children in the National School Lunch Program. 

“Virtual students deserve the opportunity to benefit from good nutrition, as well. [We should] make sure every child, no matter where they learn, has access to school lunch benefits. Having [access to] lunch would have helped us out so much. It’s one less thing for a struggling family to worry about. There are already so many hurdles to jump over.”

Sharing Their Story With The World

For the Ellerbe family, school choice has gifted them stability in a time of instability, and promise in a time of uncertainty. 

Offering education options allows families facing unthinkable challenges the flexibility to keep their child safe, engaged, and on track… especially when the traditional brick and mortar schools are not a viable option. 

But in addition to more options, families deserve access to the same fundamental supports, like nutritional meals, that help struggling families survive and thrive. No child should be left behind, regardless of the public school option that they determine best serves their needs. 

Shenell hopes that her family’s journey will inspire others to speak up and advocate for change in school choice and the National School Lunch Program. “By hearing our story and advocacy, I hope [other parents] will feel encouraged. There are family-oriented organizations to support you, resources like virtual schools to support you, and there are people that will care for you and your child. There is a sun that comes out after every rain shower. To me, that means brighter days are still up ahead. Just connect yourself with the right people and resources to assist in overcoming those bumps in the road, and believe that your journey can turn for the better.”