Education is meant to be the great equalizer, a pathway to opportunity and success. Yet for too many families, school becomes a daily source of stress, frustration and exhaustion. Instead of building confidence, traditional educational systems often break it down — especially for students with learning differences. Overcrowded classrooms, rigid teaching methods and a one-size-fits-all curriculum fail to meet the diverse needs of learners. The result? Students who feel lost, parents who feel helpless and households filled with tension rather than encouragement.

Parents watch as their once-curious children become withdrawn, dreading school instead of embracing it. Homework battles consume evenings, and report cards bring anxiety instead of pride. Too many families hear the same dismissive phrases: They’re fine. They’ll catch up. But when a system is failing a child, it is the system — not the child — that needs to change.

With the right school, change is possible. Families experiencing frustration should not give up, but should explore other schooling options for their children.

When students with learning differences are placed in environments that don’t meet their needs, they internalize the failure as their own. Instead of recognizing that the system is broken, they start believing they are broken. They stop raising their hands. They dread reading aloud. They shrink into themselves, convinced they aren’t smart enough to succeed.

This damage doesn’t just affect report cards — it affects mental health, self-esteem and family life. Children who feel like failures at school bring that frustration home. Parents spend nights arguing over homework, feeling powerless to help. Siblings struggle with the emotional fallout of a stressed-out household.

As head of The Highlands School, I’ve seen firsthand how a nontraditional setting can transform a child’s educational experience. Having small class sizes, individualized instruction and a deep understanding of learning differences creates an environment where students feel seen, heard and valued. Instead of dreading school, they find joy in learning. They begin to raise their hands, ask questions and participate in ways they never thought possible.

This confidence carries beyond academics. Students develop self-advocacy skills and a belief in their own abilities. The child who once hesitated to speak up now expresses their thoughts clearly. The student who once struggled with reading now tackles books with enthusiasm. Parents witness their children standing taller, smiling more and embracing challenges rather than avoiding them.

With our curriculum at The Highlands School that is not just one-size-fits-all, students don’t just master subjects — they master learning itself. With a strong emphasis on executive functioning and self-advocacy, they gain tools to navigate school and life with independence. They learn how to manage their time, organize their assignments and advocate for their needs.

The impact is immediate and profound. Parents who once felt like they had to oversee every homework assignment see their children taking ownership of their education.

We need to stop accepting a system that leaves so many students behind. Families deserve better. Children deserve better. The Highlands School is proof that when education is done right, students don’t just learn — they thrive.

It’s time for Maryland to seriously consider school choice. School choice can be a lifeline for families, and research consistently shows that students benefit academically when they have access to educational options. This isn’t about dismantling the public school system — it’s about empowering all families to choose what’s best for their children, whether that’s a public, private, charter, micro school or home-school setting. We must ask ourselves — and our leaders — this critical question: Do we support systems, or do we support students?

For families trapped in a cycle of frustration, there is hope. The right school doesn’t just change a child’s future — it changes their present. It changes family life. It replaces stress with joy.

Claudia Nachtigal is the head of school at The Highlands School, a K-8 institution for students with learning differences and achievement gaps located in Bel Air.