Education Matters With MySchoolOptions

In this special episode of Education Matters, we highlight the inspiring stories from our recent podcast guests and their contribution to our Find Your Fit campaign. The conversation highlights the power of school choice, encouraging families to explore multiple options, visit schools, and engaging with staff and teacher to find the right environment for their child.

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For more information about school choice and your school choice options, visit our website at https://www.i4qed.org

In this episode of Education Matters, Indianapolis mom and educator Lisa Dailey shares how school choice transformed her daughter Maeve’s educational experience. Frustrated by a lack of support for Maeve—who has autism and ADHD—in public school, Lisa used Indiana’s school choice program to find a private school where Maeve could thrive both academically and socially. Lisa’s story is a testament to the critical impact of having educational options for every family.

Highlights

Family & School Struggles: Lisa, a mother of five, describes how Maeve and her brother transitioned from public school to private after Maeve’s needs weren’t met despite frequent behavioral issues and her diagnoses.

Advocacy & Frustration: Lisa pushed back against being told Maeve wasn’t a “big enough concern” for extra support, sharing the emotional toll on the family.

School Choice Success: With guidance from school choice advocates, Lisa found Gray Road Christian School, where smaller classes and supportive staff made a difference.

Transformative Outcomes: Maeve’s grades and confidence soared after repeating a grade and receiving individualized support; most importantly, she found real friendships.

Family Impact: The change brought more happiness, community, and excitement about school for the whole family.

Access & Advice: Financial aid through school choice made all the difference. Lisa urges parents to ask questions, take tours, and seek the right fit for their kids.

Final Message: Lisa encourages other parents to persist for their children’s needs—and calls on policymakers to continue supporting school choice.

Key Takeaway

School choice empowers families to find the best environment for their children to succeed. Lisa’s story proves that advocacy and accessible options can be life-changing for a child’s academic and social growth. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and explore—there’s a “right fit” out there for every student.

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For more information about school choice and your school choice options, visit our website at https://www.i4qed.org

In this episode, Ethan Hunt, founder and CEO of the International Soccer Academy of America (ISAA), shares his journey building the nation’s first government-accredited high school created exclusively for elite soccer players. From humble beginnings as a graduate thesis to an innovative, world-recognized academy, Ethan Hunt discusses leadership, overcoming barriers, and how faith and perseverance shape both the ISAA community and his personal mission.

Highlights

Building a New Model for Student Athletes

The International Soccer Academy of America is the first government-accredited high school in the U.S. designed around elite soccer development and academic excellence.

Inspired by a youth academy feature in the FIFA video game, Ethan Hunt envisioned a school that invests in the long-term potential of young athletes.

ISAA grew from a master's thesis to a thriving academy with international reach, thanks to partnerships with organizations like Villarreal in Spain and support from the Indiana Department of Education.

Mission & Impact

ISAA serves high schoolers with a unique program melding accredited academics and top-tier soccer training, helping over half of its students earn college soccer scholarships.

Students benefit from opportunities to play against university teams, increasing college recruitment and visibility.

The school champions holistic development, emphasizing that each student has value beyond athletic or academic achievement.

A Day in the Life & Facility Innovation

“Students,” not just “athletes,” spend long, immersive days combining academics and soccer, sometimes from morning until late evening.

ISAA operates in a repurposed YMCA facility with custom renovations, including indoor soccer and workout spaces, and partners with local fields for outdoor play.

Preparing for College & Professional Success

ISAA’s unique partnerships, especially with Villarreal, give students the chance to compete internationally, including tournaments where future global soccer stars have played.

Expansion & International Reach

ISAA aims to begin issuing I-20s for F-1 student visas starting January 2027, enabling greater international enrollment and subsidizing local student tuition.

Welcomes high-level players from around the world, fostering diversity and raising the bar for competition.

Leadership & Personal Growth

Ethan Hunt shares candidly about the health challenges he faced from the stress of starting ISAA, and how writing his book “Without Permission: How I Beat the Odds No Matter the Cost” proved therapeutic.

Leadership lessons center on patience, servant leadership, and the importance of doing what needs to be done—even when it’s difficult.

Key Takeaway

This episode reveals how the International Soccer Academy of America is rewriting what’s possible for student athletes—merging rigorous academics, elite soccer opportunity, and a commitment to personal growth. ISAA is a testament to visionary leadership, the power of partnership, and the belief that every student deserves the chance to reach their potential, both on and off the field.

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For more information about school choice and your school choice options, visit our website at https://www.i4qed.org

In this episode, Matthew Krulik, principal of Holy Angels Catholic School, joins us to share the remarkable legacy of this near west side Indianapolis institution, its deep roots in the community, and the faith-driven, family-oriented culture that empowers students—known as “scholars”—to excel academically and personally.

Highlights


A Century of Community Impact


Holy Angels Catholic School has served the west side of Indianapolis for over 119 years, providing academic excellence, spiritual growth, and social development to a 100% minority-majority student body.


The late Pat Rooney’s love for the school ignited a movement that made Indiana a leader in universal school choice.


Mission & Student Community


Committed to nurturing the whole child and equipping families with resources for success.


Holy Angels breaks barriers by making a high-quality parochial education accessible and affordable for local families.


A Culture Defined by Family


The school’s uniquely supportive and inclusive “family” environment sets it apart—every family is known and involved, and success is a shared effort.


Academic Excellence & Student Support


Achieved a remarkable 93% IREAD pass rate this year, credited to outstanding teachers, strong family involvement, and a village approach to education.


Programs include after-school tutoring, fluency packets for parental engagement, and robust mentorship.


Students are called “scholars” to set high expectations and affirm their potential.


Community Service, Clubs, and Opportunities


Enrichments like STEM, chess club, sports teams, and a focus on community service empower kids to find and grow their talents.


Building Trust & Wraparound Support


Holy Angels provides wraparound services for families—food pantry, rental assistance, job support—and maintains open lines of trust and communication.


Rock the Block: Celebration of Community


The annual “Rock the Block” event blends live music, a car show, food, and resource sharing, strengthening bonds both within the school and with local partners.

Key Takeaway

This episode shines a light on how Holy Angels Catholic School’s unwavering focus on faith, family, and academic excellence transforms the lives of students and their community. The “family” atmosphere, high expectations for scholars, and holistic support make it a true anchor on Indianapolis’s west side—and a living example of the power of equitable educational opportunity in Indiana.

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For more information about school choice and your school choice options, visit our website at https://www.i4qed.org

In this episode, Katie Rodriguez—mentor, coach, and community leader at the Boys and Girls Club—shares her journey and the transformative impact of workforce development and youth empowerment programs on young people in Indiana.

Highlights:


Katie Rodriguez’s multifaceted role: from coach and mom to trusted mentor known as “Miss Katie”


Building trust and authentic connections with youth to foster growth


The power and necessity of early career exposure and workforce readiness programming


Creative partnerships, including hands-on trades days, collaborations with community organizations, and immersive experiences with University of Notre Dame


Real-life success stories: students overcoming challenges and gaining life-changing opportunities through culinary and STEM programs


Strategies for teaching vital real-world skills: communication, teamwork, time management, and soft skills


The supportive, inclusive environment at the Boys and Girls Club—from practical cooking clubs to one-on-one mentorship


How community members and local businesses can get involved and inspire the next generation, plus upcoming workforce development goals

Key Takeaway:

This episode underscores the powerful impact of mentorship and work-based learning experiences in shaping confident, capable young people—and invites the community to play an active part in building pathways to success for Indiana’s youth.

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For more information about school choice and your school choice options, visit our website at https://www.i4qed.org