Danielle, a mom from Montgomery County

As a mother of two special needs children, I knew from day one that my ability to choose their education system would be paramount to their development. 

We noticed my eldest child had special needs when he was 3. We tried to enroll him in kindergarten at the Souderton Charter School Collaborative (SCSC), a public charter school, but didn’t get in due to the lottery system and ended up on the waiting list.

We had to enroll in a district school, and this would turn out to be one of the most difficult years of our lives. Simply put, I felt they just didn't know how to help kids with special needs. Even with an autism diagnosis, an IEP (individualized education program) and a 504 plan, he was eventually kicked out of the school in first grade. 

From there, we were able to get into a private school associated with an area university, which specializes in educating children with challenging behaviors. He excelled from first to sixth grades. Eventually, we were able to get into the Souderton Charter School Collaborative. It was a blessing.

I knew SCSC would be the best choice for my family. My younger son was able to enroll in SCSC in the first grade. He has severe ADHD and anxiety. He’s now in fourth grade and has never had issues with schooling. 

SCSC always goes above and beyond for their attendees. It’s a family environment. No one is ever bullied. There is a diverse population with diverse cultures. And most important, they genuinely care about my children’s mental health and well-being. 

Without school choice, my children would be locked up without any direction. Children with special needs require an environment that caters to them, and most district schools just aren’t capable of providing this. To force everyone to go to the same school and follow the same rules and curriculum just doesn’t work, and it is a detriment to children who need special attention.