Every day at Amite Christian Academy, students gather to pray. Some pray quietly at their desks. Others pray aloud in small groups with classmates. Teachers pray over their students. We open the day reading Scripture, singing together, and reminding our students that their lives have purpose because they are created in the image of God. For families who choose a Christian education, moments like this are at the heart of why it matters.
Across Louisiana, thousands of parents want their children to grow academically while also being formed spiritually. They want an education that teaches reading, math, science, and history, but also teaches character, responsibility, and faith. They want their children to learn that truth matters, that serving others matters, and that their lives have meaning beyond themselves. Christian schools like ours exist to help families do exactly that.
At Amite Christian Academy, we work hard to keep tuition as affordable as possible. Our goal has always been to serve families, not put barriers in front of them. We do everything we can to keep costs low and work with parents who are making sacrifices to provide a Christian education for their children. Even so, for many families, a faith-based education remains financially out of reach.
Over the years, we have spoken with parents who would love to enroll their child in our school but simply cannot afford the tuition. These are hardworking families who believe deeply in the value of faith-centered education. They want their children to learn in an environment where faith is part of everyday life. Yet even with the flexibility we try to offer, the cost can still be more than some families can manage.
Those conversations are never easy. No principal enjoys telling a parent that their child cannot attend because of financial limitations. And no parent enjoys hearing that the education they believe is best for their child is simply out of reach.
That is why Louisiana's LA GATOR Scholarship Program matters so much. At its heart, the program is about giving families access to educational opportunities that align with their values and meet their children's needs. For many families across Louisiana, that means the opportunity to attend a faith-based school where academics and spiritual formation go hand in hand. Christian schools have long partnered with parents to nurture both the minds and the faith of their children. With the LA GATOR Scholarship Program properly funded, more families who desire that kind of education finally can access it.
Faith-based schools play an important role in Louisiana's educational landscape. Christian schools and other religious schools have served families in our communities for generations. Many were founded by churches not because it was easy, but because it was necessary. Pastors and church leaders believed children needed an education rooted in faith and truth. That mission continues today.
In our classrooms, students learn about the world God created. They learn to treat others with dignity and respect. They learn that leadership means service. They learn that knowledge and faith are not in conflict but work together to form thoughtful,
compassionate citizens. When families choose this kind of education, they make a deeply personal decision about how they want their children to grow.
Louisiana lawmakers have an opportunity this legislative session to ensure more families can make that choice. The LA GATOR Scholarship Program was created to expand opportunity. But without adequate funding, many of the families who hoped to participate will remain outside looking in. Those families deserve better.
Expanding access to faith-based education does not diminish Louisiana's education system, it strengthens it. When parents have options, schools are empowered to serve students more effectively, and communities benefit from stronger families and engaged citizens.
At Amite Christian Academy, we see every day how faith-based education shapes young lives. My hope is that more Louisiana families will have the opportunity to experience it. Funding the LA GATOR Scholarship Program would help make that possible, and for many parents across our state, that opportunity would mean everything.
In His Service,
Lisa Perkins
Principal
Amite Christian Academy
