At the Children’s Scholarship Fund New Hampshire, we believe educational freedom isn’t just about school – it’s about healing, hope, and possibility. For the Clegg family, an Education Freedom Account wasn’t just a way to change how their children learned. It changed how they lived. With the flexibility to homeschool one child and send two others to a supportive private school, their family found peace, progress, and a path forward after unimaginable loss.
From Fight Mode to Flourishing: How One Family Found Peace and Progress with Educational Freedom
At the Children’s Scholarship Fund New Hampshire, we believe educational freedom is about more than just academics. It’s about giving families the ability to choose what’s best for their children – and seeing those choices lead to growth in every area of life. For the Clegg family, the Education Freedom Account program didn’t just support their learning journey. It changed the emotional rhythm of their home.
Abbey Clegg is a mom to three children: Emilia Jo, Tey, and Corabelle. Like many parents, she hoped her local school would provide the support her youngest daughter needed. But the reality was far more difficult.
“Emilia Jo was constantly stressed and in fight mode,” Abbey remembers. “She wasn’t herself.”
A full evaluation by the local school district revealed just how far behind Emilia was. The team recommended significant special education services. But for Abbey, something didn’t sit right.
“She was overwhelmed all the time. And we believed she could do better; not in a classroom, but at home, where she felt safe.”
So the family made a bold choice. With the support of the EFA program, Abbey withdrew Emilia from public school and began homeschooling her, using specialized resources, tutors, and classes that met her daughter’s unique needs.
The transformation came quickly.
“She went from being angry and anxious to calm and curious,” Abbey says. “We worked with two tutors who helped her build confidence in reading and succeed in math.”
The family also used EFA funds to enroll Emilia in enrichment classes that sparked her imagination and reinforced her learning in creative ways. Slowly, the child who once doubted her ability to learn began to believe in herself.
“She’s proud now,” Abbey says. “And she should be. After one year, she tested right at grade level. That’s huge.”
For Abbey, the most rewarding part wasn’t just academic improvement. It was seeing her daughter rediscover joy.
“She smiles more. She’s relaxed. She tells people what she’s learning. That confidence – that peace – is everything.”
But Emilia Jo’s story is only part of it. The Clegg family has walked a hard road. In 2021, they suffered the devastating loss of one of their children. The grief was profound, and the ripple effects touched every part of their lives.
For Tey and Corabelle, Emilia’s older siblings, the trauma lingered. Abbey knew they needed more than just academic instruction. They needed emotional safety, consistent support, and a school community that could walk with them.
Once again, the EFA program provided a way.
Through their accounts, Abbey was able to send both children to a small private school: a place where they could heal while also being challenged to grow.
“It made all the difference,” she says. “They were seen. They were understood. And that allowed them to thrive, both academically and emotionally.”
Each child had different needs. Thanks to educational freedom, Abbey didn’t have to pick one-size-fits-all. She could meet each child where they were, and that’s what made the difference.
“We’re just so grateful,” she says. “Without the EFA, we couldn’t have done this. We couldn’t have made these choices.”
Abbey wants other families to know that help exists. That if your child is struggling – whether it’s with academics, anxiety, or life itself – there are options worth exploring.
“You don’t have to wait until things get worse,” she says. “You can take action now. And there are people who will help you do it.”
To the people behind the EFA program – the advocates, the donors, and the lawmakers who made it possible – Abbey has a simple message.
“Thank you. You gave us room to breathe. You gave our kids what they needed, when they needed it most.”
And to the families just learning about Education Freedom Accounts, she offers one more thought.
“Don’t be afraid to try,” she says. “You might be surprised how much is possible when someone believes in your family’s potential.”
Want to learn more about how EFAs are helping families like the Cleggs? Visit our website to explore eligibility, read more real stories, and take the next step toward educational freedom.
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