As a fifth-grade student at Brickey McCloud Elementary in Knox County, I remember the moment that forever changed how I viewed education. My science teacher, while explaining the unique biology of polar bears, mentioned how the black skin beneath their white fur helps them absorb the sun’s warmth in the Arctic cold. But it wasn’t just the science fact that caught my attention—it was what she said next: “The polar bear is a testament to God’s design.”
That single, quiet statement lit a fire in my heart. Up to that point, I had never heard a teacher reference God in the classroom. I had learned about Him at church and in Sunday School—how He is the Creator, Sustainer, and King over all. But in school? He was absent. My young heart began to wrestle with a question many children never find the words to ask: “If God is truly King over all, why isn’t He King in the classroom?”
That one sentence from my teacher sparked a desire to understand how God’s truth intersects with every subject—language, history, math, music, even P.E. My parents saw that spark and began to explore Christian education options. But like many families, the cost of private school tuition was simply out of reach. That door remained closed.
Years later, I reconnected with that same science teacher. She was attending a school event for her grandchildren—at River’s Edge Christian Academy, the very school I now have the honor of serving as principal. I was thrilled to share how her brief comment had inspired me and set me on a path to lead a school where her grandchildren now learn that God is King over every subject.
Founded in 1997, River’s Edge Christian Academy serves around 700 students from Kindergarten through 12th grade. Here, Christ isn’t just a subject on the schedule—He is the foundation of all knowledge, the source of all wisdom, and the King over every square inch of our curriculum.
That spark she lit in my life? It’s now a torch I carry for hundreds of students. And this is why Education Freedom Scholarships (EFS) matter so deeply.
Opponents of school choice often point to the highest-priced elite private schools to argue against EFS, but they ignore the reality on the ground. The truth is, the EFS would cover the full cost of tuition at River’s Edge Christian Academy. Many schools just like ours are priced within reach for working families. Some students will have their entire tuition covered through EFS alone. Others will see the full cost met by combining EFS with need-based financial aid. And for many more, EFES makes private Christian education finally affordable—finally possible.
This isn’t about giving the wealthy more options. This is about giving working families real choices. It’s not a luxury—it’s a lifeline.
Across Knox County, everyday families are doing their best to raise children with strong values and a solid foundation. These aren’t elite zip codes or gated communities. These are everyday neighborhoods filled with people who work hard, live modestly, and want the best possible future for their kids. And for many of them, that future includes a Christ-centered education—one where biblical truth shapes not just chapel time, but every subject and decision.
These families are not asking for special treatment. They’re asking for the freedom to make the same kinds of educational decisions that wealthier families already have. They want classrooms where their children are safe, supported, and taught to think critically, act responsibly, and grow in character. They want schools that reinforce the values they’re teaching at home—places where respect, accountability, and excellence still matter, and where the authority of scripture is honored alongside academic standards.
These families include construction workers, nurses, small business owners, truck drivers, police officers, grocery clerks, mechanics, and so many more. Many are working multiple jobs or relying on extended family to help raise their kids. They know how to sacrifice. They do it every day. And they long to place their children in schools that will nurture their faith, speak the name of Jesus freely, and equip them to stand for truth in a world that often denies it.
But until now, private education has remained out of reach for these families—not for lack of desire, but because of cost.
Education Freedom Scholarships are changing that. For the first time, working families have a shot at choosing a school that fits—not just academically, but in values, culture, and support. And for families of faith, that means the ability to choose a school where Christ is the center—not an afterthought.
And the data proves it. Early reports from the Tennessee Department of Education show that many families applying for EFAs are coming from these very communities in Knox County—places like Mascot, Powell, Strawberry Plains, and Corryton. These parents aren’t chasing prestige. They’re seeking peace of mind. They’re seeking spiritual formation.
But this isn’t just about funding. It’s about freedom.
It’s about letting parents choose a school where their children can learn not only reading and writing—but righteousness. A place where Christ is shown as King—not just on Sundays, but Monday through Friday, in math, music, history, English, and everything in between.
For everyday working families, school choice isn’t just a policy idea—it’s a lifeline. It’s the key to unlocking opportunity. It’s a chance to choose what’s best—not just what’s assigned.
As a fifth grader at Brickey McCloud Elementary, I wondered why God was missing from the classroom. With EFS, more students, like the ones at River’s Edge, won’t have to wonder. They’ll see Him clearly—reflected in every subject, every lesson, every day.
And yet, thousands of families remain shut out—not because they lack the desire for Christian education, but because the legislature has capped how many scholarships can be awarded. This must change. If lawmakers truly believe in freedom, then they must lift the cap on Education Freedom Scholarships and let the demand speak for itself. Every child should have the opportunity to attend a school where they can see God as King of every subject, where truth isn’t compartmentalized, but celebrated in full.
Education Freedom Scholarships won’t just change where kids go to school. They’ll change who they become.