inspirED

Meet our scholars, educators, donors and partners.

Transforming Our Community.
One Scholarship at a Time.

Step Up For Students Scholarships do more than fund education. They change lives. Students thrive in environments that fit their needs. Educators extend their reach to support vulnerable students. Communities grow stronger as educational systems improve.

This is inspireEd. Welcome.

Here, you will get an inside view of that transformation in progress. See what happens when students and their families discover the power of taking control over their academics. Watch as they forge new pathways to a better future. Find inspiration in their determination to achieve their dreams.

These are the stories of Florida students who have renewed hope because they have a school that better fits their needs or educational materials to unlock their potential. They are the stories of a community that has come together to support the belief that educational choice matters. Here, you can be a part of this incredible journey.

Latest Posts

Browse More From The Blog

Two more Step Up schools earn prestigious National Blue Ribbon Schools distinction

St. Michael Academy in Fernandina Beach and St. John Paul II Catholic High School in Tallahassee were among the 15 Florida schools to be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools. They are the only private schools of the 15. Both accept Florida educational choice scholarships managed by Step […]
Learn More

Bringing water to remote villages in Tanzania a 'life-changing' event for Clearwater Central Catholic students

CLEARWATER – The orphans in a tiny town in Tanzania left the biggest impression on Sarah Williams. They were so cute and kind and happy. And curious. The children were fascinated with Sarah’s long hair. It’s something rarely seen in that part of the world, where water is so scarce the locals shave their heads […]
Learn More

Education choice scholarship a pleasant surprise for this military family stationed in Jacksonville

Jackson Pelletier’s enrollment at St. Paul’s Catholic School Riverside on an education choice scholarship began with a trip to the pediatrician. That’s when his parents, Natasha and Greg, noticed the private school in Jacksonville located across the street from the doctor’s office. The family had just moved to the area from San Diego after Greg, […]
Learn More

Education choice scholarship a boon for a military veteran and his family

MIRAMAR – William Ivins moved his family to South Florida ahead of his retirement from the United States Marine Corps and enrolled his children at Mother of Our Redeemer Catholic School, hoping they would reap the same rewards as he did from a faith-based education. But, as William and his wife, Claudia, would soon learn, […]
Learn More

Seven Seas Water Group donates $150,000 to help provide scholarships for Florida Students

Tampa, Fla.– Seven Seas Water Group (Seven Seas) has contributed $150,000 to Step Up For Students, helping more than 18 Florida schoolchildren access the education option that is best for them. Seven Seas is a multinational provider of Water-as-a-Service® solutions , specializing in owning and operating decentralized water and wastewater treatment plants. Since 2023, Seven […]
Learn More

PEP scholarship allows for 'A-plus homeschool experience' for one family

In July, Jessie Pedraza was reading through posts on a Facebook page for mothers who homeschool their children when she saw three words jump off her screen. Personalized Education Program. “I responded, ‘Hello. What is this?” Jessie said. So Jessie texted one of the moms. Then they met for coffee. “I picked her brain and […]
Learn More

From a vision to fliers to students: Former legislator finds new way to help kids – by starting a school

LEESBURG, Florida – The first tangible evidence of a new private school opening in town were the 1,500 fliers printed at Staples and handed to parents as they left a Publix supermarket. That’s how Darryl Reaves and his wife, Anette During, hoped to attract students to the K-8 school in Leesburg they planned to open […]
Learn More

From an idea to a goal to Emma's walk of a lifetime

Sarasota – It was time for the valedictorian to address the assembly, so Emma Howey rose from her seat in the front row of the auditorium, left her walker behind, and, with the help of her favorite teacher, made her way to the edge of the stage. “I can’t believe I’m doing this,” she remembered […]
Learn More

From Venezuela to the Naval Academy with the help of an education choice scholarship

RIVERVIEW – Rosa Salom Garcia’s car was reinforced to withstand bullets because the threat of being kidnapped was a part of everyday life in Venezuela. She was a leading eye surgeon in her native Caracas with a practice spread over multiple locations in the city. Her daughter, Maria Castillo Salom, attended private school. Life was […]
Learn More

Wherefore art thou Genevieve? She's directing the Tallahassee Homeschool Shakespeare Club

Drywall is piled three feet high in the attic of Emily and Alan Lemmon’s home in Tallahassee. It was placed there a few years ago, intended for walls as the couple finished the top floor. But these days the stack serves a different purpose. Surrounded by white sheets used as backdrops and placed directly under […]
Learn More
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 15
No more content to load.
Load More
magnifiercrossmenu