How education choice scholarships meet the needs of one active family
Meet the Genot kids of Bradenton: Kingston, Kenzington, Aurora, and Kohlton. Each with above-average talent in their respective sports – soccer for the boys, gymnastics for Aurora. Each with demanding schedules – school, training, practice.
One Florida education choice scholarship managed by Step Up For Students makes it all happen for the family.
The Genots are home-educated, which allows for the flexibility they need to navigate their academic and athletic schedules. The education savings accounts (ESAs) that comprise the scholarships pay for curriculum, tutoring, and fees to their athletic clubs.
“It works because it’s not like one shoe fits everybody,” said their mother, Candy Genot. “Everybody has their own story. Everybody has what works for them. My boys play soccer. My daughter's a gymnast, and so it all works differently regarding what each one needs.”
Kingston is a freshman at High Point University in North Carolina, where he attends on a soccer scholarship. He used the Florida education choice scholarship during his senior year of high school.
“It helps so much with flexibility, optimizing your personal schedule,” Kingston said. “Everyone works differently, so it definitely helps suit the individual.”
Kenzington, 15, is a 10th-grader who takes live classes on Outschool. Diagnosed with learning disabilities, he uses part of his ESA to pay for specialized tutoring like the Orton-Gillingham Approach.
Kenzington is a goalkeeper for the MLS NEXT Homegrown division of the Tampa Bay United soccer club. That is the top level of youth player development in North America.
He is a member of Tampa Bay United’s Under 16 team, but he plays with the U17 team and trains with the U19 team.
“He has the mindset, ‘I’m going pro, Mom, I’m going pro,’” Candy said. “I say, ‘Buddy, everybody has a dream, but everybody needs a backup plan.’”
A typical day for Kenzington: early morning classes like speech or debate, a 90-minute workout at a gym, lunch, then classes until 2:30 p.m., a 90-minute ride to Tampa for practice and goalkeeper training with Tampa Bay United, and a 90-minute ride home. Some days end with a post-practice class.
Taking online classes also allows for doing schoolwork in the car if need be.
“Schoolwork or homework in the car, we definitely take advantage of that time,” Kingston said.
The scholarship also helps financially with Kenzington, who needs specialized tutors.
“Those aren’t cheap,” Candy said. “They can run $100, $125 an hour. Most families with four kids can’t afford that. Fortunately, we have the scholarship and we’re able to do that.”
Aurora, 11, is a sixth-grader who is a level 8, or advanced, gymnast. She trains and attends school at EVO Academy in Sarasota. EVO’s academic academy accommodates the unique demands of advanced athletes.
Aurora attends EVO six days a week, training from 8 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. That is followed by classes from 1 p.m. until 4. On weekdays.
Kohlton, 10, plays for a U12 soccer team in Bradenton. He also attends EVO, though his schedule is the opposite of his sister – school in the morning and soccer training in the afternoon.
Candy said she initially enrolled her children in charter schools but made the switch to home education when Kingston began playing for an elite soccer club in Clearwater. His travel demands for daily practice did not mesh with the schedule of a brick-and-mortar school.
“And we realized, wow, our kids get more done homeschooling than they did attending school,” Candy said.
“We've been able to you know use the scholarship in different ways. Kingston was able to get ahead in school and ready for college. It's been great for us. We’re super grateful for it.”
Roger Mooney, manager, communications, can be reached at [email protected].
Do you need more information about scholarships managed by Step Up For Students?
