My Kid Doesn't Fit The Public School Mold
So, Thank You, Florida, for the PEP Scholarship
The public school system forced my hand. You told me I could not send my child to public school. Five years ago, I walked into our zoned Brevard County public elementary school with my daughter’s paperwork all filled out, excited to register her for first grade. I placed the packet on the counter and asked to speak to a person in administration to explain our unique family situation.
I was told Ella could not attend there. And thus, no other elementary public school, either. Policy allows a maximum of nine days of absences per semester, beyond which a student cannot progress forward. As Ella was likely to blow past those nine days, it was made clear there was a mold and Ella didn’t fit in it.
No one wanted to have a deeper conversation about working with our family — which includes two dedicated, professional parents with high academic integrity — about how we could customize my daughter’s education to fit her needs. Simple answer was: NO. But I remember hesitating to turn around and leave, knowing if I did, I’d have to start some semblance of school on my own. From scratch.
I asked again, is there no way to work together!? Nope. So, we were forced to homeschool.
The World is Her Classroom
Are you curious the reason why we had to homeschool? Those who follow EverythingBrevard and know my family situation know it’s for a beautiful reason. My daughter, Ella Grace Helton, is a child actress — which involves random and often extended travel. She gets incredible schooling by living out her adventures.
She’s also a musician training in piano, guitar and voice, a competitive ballroom dancer, and a fine artist. Among other -ers and -ists.
The outgoing child needs things that others (including her own parents) do not. She needs to constantly artistically create. Examples: Sing original songs, paint, crochet, perform on the aerial silk we have hanging from the living room ceiling. Edit films (she made what she called a “documentary” to convince my husband and I why she should get a dog). Make plans to eradicate homelessness, de-trash the Earth and be a clothing designer without it being environmentally detrimental “fast fashion.” She also wants to be a zookeeper and own a farm. Continue being an actress but also a director. It never ends. (See photo gallery for a sampling!)
That’s the beauty of young dreams.
She likes to perform, and her cup is filled by helping others — which includes entertaining and making people smile. The natural wisecracking comedian is adept at effortlessly eliciting belly laughs. And she makes me cry every time she sings the national anthem at local fundraisers.
Establishing our Own Academy
I used to joke, but now it’s serious and true, that we had to create our own “Helton Academy of the Arts.” We had to customize Ella’s schooling, all because the public school system said they would not accommodate any extended absences for filming TV shows or films. Her resume is already impressive —sprinkled across network and streaming TV, feature films, commercials and Broadway — and we surpassed nine absences during several of those jobs, easy.
But, Ella’s schooling never stops. There are laws requiring three hours of school per day on set. She even has her own (or sometimes shared with a few other children) private certified set teacher. And of course I’m there to make sure she’s keeping up with everything. Kid actors often can be the first cast members to set, to get in their school hours, or the last to leave as they finish schoolwork after wrapping.
Finding Our Homeschool Groove
Our version of homeschool has evolved in the five years since we started. It began with me trying to do it all myself. Then we used a private tutor, then tried part co-op/part tutor, to ultimately now taking advantage of the flexibility of Florida Virtual School for core classes while supplementing with multiple arts and physical training sessions. We have found a groove but are still always looking to smooth that groove.
That customizable plan for our unique child on her unique journey is now something more accessible due to the Step Up For Students Personal Education Program (PEP) scholarship enacted into law for students starting in 2023.
I’m in Facebook groups where families with the scholarship share ideas, and I’m grateful to learn about all the individual situations and creative ways families plan to use the scholarship for their personal education plans.
House Bill 1 was passed in March and those administering it had to react quickly, as it went into effect July 1. There are kinks. It’s an added burden on the families to submit so much paperwork, especially for reimbursements, and families have been given varying answers to similar inquiries. (As of writing this, I have yet to receive confirmation that dance is considered a sport like any ball sport or martial art, for example). But we are grateful that the money that otherwise would have gone to the school that said they couldn’t (wouldn’t?) educate my child can now follow her.
Thank you, Florida, for recognizing Ella doesn’t fit the mold but that she still is entitled to access education through her own personalized education plan.
Learn More About Step Up For Students Scholarships
StepUpForStudents.org
New legislation (HB 1) passed affecting Florida's school choice programs. Signed by Gov. DeSantis on March 27, it took effect July 1, 2023.
Ella was one of up to 20,000 students awarded the Personalized Education Program (PEP) scholarship in this first year. It is funded through the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship and is a savings account program that allows parents to customize the education of students not attending public or private school full time.
House Bill 1:
- Expanded eligibility for all K-12 students, regardless of household income and converted the scholarship into an education savings account (ESA).
- Created the new program called Personalized Education Program.
Connect
Follow Ella Grace Helton’s adventures:
Instagram: @adventuresofellagrace
Facebook: /adventuresofellagrace
Website: EllaGraceHelton.com
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