Picture it! Your cute kid is school age, and all you know is that they deserve the best. So you begin, you research, you consider all your friend’s children’s schools, you think about the school down the street, or the one by your job...but how do you really pick? I must say, I have to give my husband credit here for saying look at this place, Divine Mercy Academy. We knew we wanted a faith-based education; we knew we wanted a private school; and we knew we wanted something that we as a family friendly environment we could all participate in. With that said, it greatly narrowed down our options, but that did not make the decision. With the options now being slim, we decided to incorporate more personal factors into the decision. I began to think, what experience do we want to provide for our children?. As a proud African American family, it is important for me that when my children look at their peers, they see diversity. I never required a percent of this or that; I did, however, need overall diversity. So, after walking the halls, seeing the class and student pictures, reading the teachers names, and recalling my "research," I figured there was enough to go on to move forward with the requirement. On the first day of school, walking into PreK-3 with a very concerned toddler, and us with the feeling of “if I’m making the right decision,” I was greeted by the warmest person. It was the teacher’s assistant; she walked past the teacher who was helping another concerned mom and student, with her arms fully extended to fully rectify the situation with many hugs. My heart sank’ at that moment I saw that they use love; they teach and nurture from a place of love. That was the confirmation I did not know I needed. Yes, I, we made the right decision. It's Confirmed! Anyone that leads with love and has the skills to educate in the process can absolutely have my full support to educate my child. Diversity, the commute, or the technology, among the many other things we required of our decision- I felt it was here, at Divine Mercy Academy. So yes, research, consider the commute, or chat about the requirements all of which are important, but when you can trust your most precious part of you while you are away, that will always be the determining factor. I am reminded daily that I have made the right decision. I have seen how Divine Mercy Academy has made the investment in my children and have made themselves available as a resource to the entire family. The technology is top notch, and the recent pandemic has only sharpened that part of their education. I have been embraced by the school and families, and I make it my business to spread that sense of welcome and family daily. This decision was one of the biggest; it sets the tone for my children’s education. Having entered the doors of Divine Mercy Academy with a three- and seven-year-old, I look forward to all the milestones of their life and education as we settle into life here for the foreseeable future.