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Charmaine and James Thomas live in the Cleveland Public Schools District with their daughter, Ceaira. They were one of the first families in the Cleveland Scholarship and Tutoring Grant Program.
Before the Scholarship program, both of the Thomas’ worked two jobs to put Ceaira in a private school.
Charmaine Thomas shares the story of her family’s struggle for quality educational options:
"Before Ceaira was born we agreed we would not send her to Cleveland Public Schools. Me and her dad both went to the public schools and things have just been going downhill."
"There weren’t textbooks. They were making photocopies of pages in the textbook and I just don’t know how a child can learn without a textbook. Then there was all the violence: Kids shooting each other."
"The drop out rate is just so high. I just wanted something better for her."
"Ceaira started out in a Catholic School but we later transferred her to an independent Christian school that better met her needs."
"I found the independent Christian school in the phone book. When I went to the school and saw how enthusiastic the kids were, it was all I needed. There are only 11 children in her class. The teacher has time to spend with the children."
"To me, the Scholarship Program has already helped her. She’s getting good grades. She’s accomplishing what I want her to academically."
"My hope is that whatever her dreams are, she will be able to accomplish them because she’s got a good education behind her."
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