TROY, Ala. (WDNews) — A Troy mother says Alabama’s CHOOSE Act has helped her daughter stay at a school she loves while easing the financial strain on their family.
According to Gov. Kay Ivey’s office, Tricia Ratcliffe and her daughter, Rossalyn “Rossi,” were featured as a family benefiting from the state’s education savings account program.
Rossi, 11, is a sixth grader at Pike Liberal Arts School in Troy. She received CHOOSE Act support for the 2025-26 school year, according to the governor’s office.
“Tricia is a perfect example of a hardworking Alabama parent that just wants the best education available for her child,” Ivey said. “I am proud that the CHOOSE Act has helped Rossi not only stay at a school that she loves but afford the kind of outside help she needs to thrive.”
Ratcliffe adopted Rossi from India when she was 2. According to the governor’s office, Rossi was diagnosed with double deficit dyslexia in third grade and also has a hearing impairment.
The program helps Ratcliffe pay school tuition. Rossi also participates in an Individualized Education Program that provides help outside school, according to the release.
Ratcliffe owns SheBang!! Clog Dance Company in Troy, where she teaches clogging. She encouraged other parents to explore the program.
“It is worth every minute it takes to apply. The CHOOSE Act is for regular, working-class people who are trying hard every day to provide the best possible education for their children, and Governor Ivey gets that. If getting help where help is available is what you have to do for your child to succeed, then do it.”
According to the governor’s office, several families at Pike Liberal Arts School have used the program to remain at the school or transfer there.
Rossi enjoys STEM, art and physical education. Outside the classroom, she participates in dance, karate, gymnastics and swimming. She also enjoys riding her bicycle around the neighborhood with her dog, Flower.
“The CHOOSE Act has relieved so much stress for my family. I am thankful that Rossi has been able to stay with her friends at a school that she loves. Her happiness is worth a million dollars to me. Thank you to Governor Ivey for doing this,” Ratcliffe said.
Pike Liberal Arts Head of School Amy Allen said the program has helped families cover education costs and choose a learning environment suited to their children.
“I have seen firsthand the positive impact Governor Kay Ivey’s CHOOSE Act has had on families across Alabama,” Allen said. “The program has provided meaningful financial relief, allowing many parents to choose the educational environment they believe best meets the unique needs of their children.”
According to the governor’s office, CHOOSE Act funds can cover approved educational expenses, including tuition, textbooks, curriculum, educational software, computers, school supplies and certain tutoring or school fees.
The release reported that 34,322 eligible students were using program funds for approved educational expenses.
More information about the program is available at chooseact.alabama.gov.
