Scholarships at Work: Faith Academy Spotlight

February 19, 2026

When donors give to the Alabama Opportunity Scholarship Fund, they’re not just funding tuition.


They’re opening doors to schools like Faith Academy in Mobile — places where students are known, supported, challenged, and grounded in faith.


Faith Academy is a private Christian school committed to developing the whole child: academically, spiritually, and personally. Excellence isn’t just a tagline there. It’s woven into the classroom, the stage, the football field, and the daily rhythms of school life.


And for many families, access to that kind of education is only possible because of scholarship support.

Academic Support That Changes Trajectories

One of the standout features of Faith Academy is its comprehensive academic support services, including a dedicated dyslexia program.


For students with dyslexia, targeted instruction and specialized resources aren’t “nice to have.” They’re essential. Faith Academy’s program ensures students receive structured support tailored to how they learn — giving them the tools to thrive, not just survive, in the classroom.


For a donor, that means this: your gift could be the reason a child who once struggled to read gains confidence, keeps pace with peers, and begins to see school as a place of possibility instead of frustration.


That’s not abstract impact. That’s daily, tangible transformation.


A Fine Arts Program That Builds Confidence

Scholarship students at Faith Academy don’t just attend class — they participate fully in campus life.

The Fine Arts department is a vibrant part of the school community. The choral program includes multiple ensembles exploring musical styles from classical and sacred to contemporary. Band instruction begins in fifth grade, with opportunities to join the award-winning Marching Band and Jazz Band.

High school students can take drama as an elective — this year’s production featured Frozen — and many pursue private lessons in voice, piano, or guitar to further develop their talents.

For some students, the stage or the band room is where confidence is born. Scholarships make sure financial barriers don’t keep a child from discovering a gift that could shape their future.

Clubs That Shape Character and Leadership

Education at Faith Academy extends well beyond the classroom.


The student-led Faith Club, open to grades 10–12, encourages students to live out their Christian faith through service and fellowship. It’s leadership in action — students serving others and strengthening their spiritual foundation.


Other extracurriculars include:

  • Chess Club, where strategy and problem-solving take center stage
  • Robotics Club, introducing middle and high school students to STEM through hands-on design and programming

These experiences build critical thinking, teamwork, and resilience — the kinds of skills that last long after graduation.

And again, scholarship funding ensures students can access all of it.


A Holistic Education, Made Possible by Generosity

Faith Academy offers a holistic education grounded in Christian values and a commitment to excellence. Academic rigor, specialized support, spiritual formation, and meaningful extracurricular opportunities come together to create an environment where students can flourish.


Kelly Beasley, administrator at Faith Academy, shares: “The Alabama Opportunity Scholarship Fund opens doors for students who would not otherwise have the option to attend Faith Academy. These scholarships don’t just cover tuition — they create access to academic support, spiritual formation, and opportunities that help students thrive. We are grateful for donors who make that possible.”


What Your Support Really Means

When you give to AOSF, you are not just funding a line item.


You are:

  • Supporting a child with dyslexia who needs specialized instruction
  • Backing a fifth grader picking up an instrument for the first time
  • Empowering a high school student leading peers in faith and service
  • Opening access to robotics labs, chess tournaments, theater productions, and rigorous academics


This is what scholarship funding looks like in Alabama.

It looks like opportunity. It looks like confidence. It looks like excellence made accessible.


And it starts with donors who believe every child deserves a chance to thrive.

A New Partnership to Better Serve Alabama Families and Schools

April 7, 2026
At Alabama Opportunity Scholarship Fund, we’re always looking for ways to better support the schools and families we serve. That’s why we’re excited to share a new partnership with FACTS® , a trusted leader in school management solutions and part of Nelnet. This partnership positions us, and our partner schools, well for the future implementation of the Education Freedom Tax Credit (EFTC) , which will launch in January 2027. As we prepare for this next chapter in school choice across Alabama, it’s critical that we build systems that are both efficient and familiar. By working together, we’re streamlining processes for schools while creating a more seamless experience for families. The goal is simple: reduce administrative burden, improve access, and help more students find the right educational environment for their needs. We believe this model will not only strengthen how these new EFTC scholarships are administered, but also empower our partner schools to grow enrollment and better serve their communities. Most importantly, it helps ensure that families have the tools and support they need to make informed decisions about their child’s education. This is a step forward...and we’re just getting started.

Investing in a Lifetime, Not Just an Education

March 31, 2026
A single mother shares how scholarships made 13 years of faith-based education possible for her daughters, and the lifelong impact of that support.

How Alabama Families Can Access Education Choice with Tonya Jones | The Advocate’s Chair

March 24, 2026
Tonya Jones shares school choice options for families across Alabama with Neonta Williams, Founder of Black Alabamians for Education.

School Spotlight: The Rock Academy

March 20, 2026
For families in the rural communities of Russell and Lee County, finding the right school fit hasn’t always been easy. That’s exactly the gap The Rock Academy set out to fill. As a newer K–12 Christian school with an inclusive preschool program, The Rock Academy is grounded in a clear mission: deliver a high-quality education while shaping students academically, spiritually, and personally. Or, as Founder and Principal Kristi puts it, “We strive to cultivate academic excellence, spiritual growth, and character development in our students.” No fluff, just a straightforward commitment to doing school differently, and do it well.

New Polling Shows Parents Are Ready for the Education Freedom Tax Credit

March 16, 2026
New polling shows K-12 parents strongly support the Education Freedom Tax Credit and are likely to contribute to scholarship programs expanding opportunity for students.

How the Education Freedom Tax Credit Can Help Alabama Kids Thrive

March 2, 2026
For decades, AOSF has put parents — not systems — in the driver’s seat when it comes to their children’s education. We know one size doesn’t fit all. That’s why the new federal Education Freedom Tax Credit (a.k.a. federal scholarship tax credit) is a big deal: it lets everyday taxpayers redirect part of what they already owe in federal taxes to directly fund K-12 scholarships for Alabama students. Here’s the practical version of how it works, and why it matters.

Tax Deduction vs. Tax Credit — What Donors Really Need to Know

February 24, 2026
When you give to support K–12 scholarships, not all tax incentives are created equal — and knowing the difference can help make your gift go further.

Who Can Claim the Education Freedom Tax Credit?

February 16, 2026
What Is the Education Freedom Tax Credit? The Education Freedom Tax Credit (EFTC) is a federal tax credit that lets Alabama taxpayers reduce their federal income tax liability by donating to a qualified Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) like the Alabama Opportunity Scholarship Fund. When you give, you get a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit, not just a deduction, for your contribution. Key benefit: Donate up to $1,700 per individual and cut your federal tax bill by the exact same amount. This makes the EFTC one of the most impactful tools for supporting school choice and education scholarships in Alabama.

What the Education Freedom Tax Credit Means for Alabama Families and Donors

February 11, 2026
Big changes are coming to school choice and Alabama families stand to benefit in a major way. The new Education Freedom Tax Credit , launching in 2027, creates a federal tax credit for people who donate to scholarship-granting organizations like the Alabama Opportunity Scholarship Fund (AOSF) . Translation: taxpayers can redirect part of their federal tax bill to fund K–12 scholarships for students right here in Alabama. This isn’t a policy talking point. It’s a real, practical opportunity to expand educational access for families who need options. Let’s break it down.

My Why: Sherri's School Choice Story

January 31, 2026
Sherri Rowton, Development Director, shares why she supports school choice for all Alabama families. I was fortunate to grow up in a family where education was always a top priority. My mother was a first-generation college graduate who spent her career as an elementary school teacher. My father overcame a difficult childhood by enlisting in the military, where he earned a bachelor’s degree and two graduate degrees. From an early age, I saw how education can open doors and change the trajectory of a life. I later spent two decades as a fundraiser for Auburn University, where I witnessed firsthand the transformative power of education. Our generous donors gave so that others could earn an education—something no one could ever take away from them. But that foundation must begin well before college, equipping students for lives in which they, and their families, can truly flourish. That is why Alabama Opportunity Scholarship Fund is so invaluable. Through the generosity of our supporters, we empower parents to choose the school and learning environment that best fits the needs of their children—whether public, private, homeschool, or microschools. My own family experienced the difference the right school can have. Our local public school provided my older son with exactly what he needed to succeed; he is now a college graduate with a full-time career. My younger son, however, needed an environment with more structure than his school could provide. We were able to find a setting that better met his needs, and he is now a college senior—an outcome I sincerely doubt would have been possible without that change. It is my honor and privilege to work alongside such generous donors who make opportunities like these possible for families across Alabama. Education freedom is truly a win-win for families, for our donors, and for the future of our state.