On Friday, Governor Kay Ivey introduced the Walker family of Montgomery as participants in Alabama’s CHOOSE Act, which supports families through education savings accounts (ESAs). The Walkers, a military family with seven children, use the CHOOSE Act to help pay for their children’s education. Four of their children—Peter (6th grade), Lucy (5th grade), Ella (3rd grade), and Andrew (Kindergarten)—attend Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School’s St. Bede campus. Their tuition is supported by the program. The family also includes Clare in Pre-K and twins, James and Joan, who are seven months old.
John Walker, a U.S. Air Force member, and his wife Mary, a teacher, moved to Alabama in 2023. With John’s military retirement approaching, the family chose to settle in Alabama. They cited the CHOOSE Act as an important factor in their decision. Governor Ivey stated that the CHOOSE Act allows parents to make decisions about their children’s education. The Walkers said they value traditional education and strong academic foundations. Mary Walker expressed appreciation for the program and said the family is pleased to live in Alabama. Their story is part of Governor Ivey’s effort to show the impact of the CHOOSE Act on families in different parts of the state, including Montgomery, Dothan, and Birmingham…