The numbers speak for themselves: 6,069 applications for Idaho’s Parental Choice Tax Credit, representing 13,568 students. Behind each number is a family searching for an education that works better for their child and hoping there will be enough funding to make that choice possible. I know how important that search can be because I lived it.

For most of my early years in school, learning came easily. But around fourth grade, something changed. While my classmates seemed to move ahead without difficulty, I struggled to keep up. Sitting in classrooms with 30 or 40 students made it hard to get the help I needed, and over time, I began to fall behind.

What I needed wasn’t less effort; it was a different environment. But like many Idaho families, accessing a different option wasn’t simple. Opportunities were limited, and for many families, cost or availability can make the right school feel out of reach.

By the time I reached high school, I felt discouraged and unsure if I would even make it to graduation. Then, everything changed, but only because I got lucky.

I was one of the few students admitted through a lottery into Elevate Academy, a public charter school in Idaho. That opportunity changed my life, but it also showed me how limited access to better options can be. Not every student gets that chance, and not every family can rely on luck.

At Elevate, I finally found an environment where I could succeed. The school offered hands-on career programs that immediately caught my attention. I took classes in construction, culinary arts, business, and criminal justice, eventually focusing on business and culinary while earning certifications that prepared me for my future.

For the first time in years, I felt confident in my education again. What made the biggest difference wasn’t just the coursework. It was the support. My teachers believed in me and refused to give up on me, even when I felt like giving up on myself. But even with the right school, challenges didn’t disappear.

During my junior year, my mom became seriously ill and had to leave the state for treatment. Like many families facing unexpected hardships, we had to deal with real life while also trying to focus on school.  I worried that I would fall too far behind and lose my chance to graduate.

Thankfully, my teachers worked with me to stay on track. Because of their support, I graduated and felt prepared for what came next. My experience taught me something important: finding the right school can change a student’s life. Too often, though, access may be limited by the school’s capacity or by finances. That’s why Idaho’s Parental Choice Tax Credit is such an important step forward. It helps families overcome one of the biggest obstacles to educational opportunities: cost. It gives parents more flexibility to choose the learning environment that works best for their child.

But with demand already exceeding expectations, it’s clear that the current level of funding may not be enough to meet the need. Thousands of families have applied, and not all of them will receive support under the existing cap. That means many students just like me could still be left waiting for an opportunity that may never come.

If we truly want to ensure that every child has the chance to succeed, we cannot stop here. Idaho lawmakers should look for ways to expand funding for the Parental Choice Tax Credit so that more families can access the opportunities they are actively seeking.

I’m grateful that I eventually found a school that worked for me. But I often think about how different my journey could have been if my family had more access to options earlier without having to rely on chance or limited availability.

Today, Idaho families are closer than ever to having those opportunities. Expanding this program would ensure that all students, not just a lucky few, benefit from the kind of environment that helped change my life.

Every student deserves the chance to find the place where they can thrive. Expanding the Parental Choice Tax Credit is a critical step toward making that a reality for more Idaho families.

– Domino Valenzuela is an Idaho graduate of Elevate Academy, where she studied business and culinary arts.