For families across Idaho, one of the most important decisions they make is where and how their children will learn. Yet for many parents, educational options can feel limited not by what is best for their child, but by what they can afford.

That is why Idaho’s Parental Choice Tax Credit program matters and why families should take advantage of the new application window now open.

My name is Tim Schwarzenberger, and my wife Marie and I own Cloverdale Montessori School in Boise. We care deeply about helping children flourish by supporting families in finding the educational environment that best meets their child’s unique needs.

One of the things that first drew us to Montessori education is that Dr. Maria Montessori did not create her educational philosophy exclusively for the wealthy or elite. Her early work focused on children with disabilities and underserved communities. When those students began performing remarkably well, educators around the world took notice, helping launch what would become the global Montessori movement.

At its heart, Montessori education has always been about recognizing the dignity and potential of every child.

I support Idaho’s Parental Choice Tax Credit program because I believe parents are in the best position to determine the right educational setting for their children. Every child learns differently, and there is no one-size-fits-all model that works for every family.

This belief is personal for me. Some of our own children have learning disabilities, and over the years our family has benefited from a variety of educational settings, including Montessori education, homeschooling, charter schools, and public schools. Those experiences strengthened my belief that families deserve meaningful educational options and the freedom to pursue what works best for their child.

For many Idaho families, the cost of private education can feel just out of reach, even when they believe it would be the best fit for their child. Over the years, many families have told us they loved our school but simply could not make the finances work.

Programs like the Idaho Parental Choice Tax Credit can help remove some of those financial barriers and open doors for students who may thrive in a more individualized and nurturing learning environment.

At Cloverdale Montessori, many children leave kindergarten already reading, writing, and doing math at first- or second-grade levels. But academics are only part of the story. Our goal is to develop the whole person by fostering independence, confidence, responsibility, curiosity, and compassion.

We know many parents make significant sacrifices to provide their children with educational opportunities that align with their values and aspirations.

At our school, we have worked hard to make tuition as affordable as possible and to provide financial assistance to families in need. However, our resources are limited, and we simply cannot meet every family’s financial need on our own.

Programs like the Idaho Parental Choice Tax Credit help bridge that gap. They provide meaningful support to families seeking the best educational option for their children while helping schools continue to offer the high-quality education, individualized attention, and dedicated teachers that students deserve.

This program is not about taking away choices. It is about expanding them. It gives parents greater freedom and flexibility to pursue the educational path they believe is best for their children.

As the new application window opens, I encourage Idaho families to explore the opportunities available through this program. Every child deserves the chance to flourish, and every parent deserves the freedom to choose the environment where that can happen.

– Tim Schwarzenberger, along with his wife, Marie, owns Cloverdale Montessori School in Boise, Idaho. As a parent, educator, and advocate for educational choice, he is committed to ensuring every family has the freedom to choose the learning environment that best supports their child’s success