Expressions of Educational Freedom

Posted by Benjamin Hannemann on September 15, 2023

One of the most consequential decisions a family can make is where to send their child to school. Yet the options have been historically limited for those who live in the toughest environments or have the fewest resources. 

Guided by the view of our founders that a good society is a free society, The Bradley Foundation has played an essential role in freeing parents from the educational restrictions of their zip code. Throughout our nearly four decades of K-12 philanthropy, our guiding principle has remained the same: to give more choice to parents who simply want the best for their child.

In our video series Expressions of Educational Freedom, grantees highlight in their words, the conditions that lead to student success and share how to narrow the gaps that continue to exist.

It's Up to Us to Choose

A school influences so much more than a child’s academic performance. It shapes everything from their emotional well-being to their family’s social and support network to their ability to discover their purpose. It becomes their community. Considering the lasting impact a school has on a child, parents should have the freedom to choose the one that best fits their children’s needs.  This video, It's Up to Us to Choose, addresses why kids – and families – flourish when they’re engaged in a school community that shares their values.

 

Nothing is Stronger Than a Parent's Love

Nothing is stronger than a parent’s love for his or her child. Schools that recognize this powerful truth consciously seek to engage with parents. When parents reciprocate, the result is a trusting partnership that leads to student success. This video, Nothing is Stronger Than a Parent's Love, highlights the power of parent engagement in education.

 

A Hope That is Contagious

Teachers who have an infectious passion for what they do permeate school culture, so that every single person in the building, from the janitor to the receptionist to the parent volunteer, has a clear sense of purpose. In this video, A Hope That is Contagious, watch how the contagious hope of a teacher can enrich kids and their communities.  

 

Helping Students Identify Their Purpose

In this video, Helping Students Identify Their Purpose, learn why the best schools are those that provide environments in which each student is treated as a whole individual, whose academic, emotional, physical, and often spiritual development is nurtured. As a result, students are enabled to identify their purpose, allowing them to lead a life of meaning.

 

The Power of Educational Freedom

Kids have the very best shot at success when more educational options are available. Watch this video, The Power of Educational Freedom, to see how more choices empower families and benefits students.