Georgia Gubernatorial Candidate Criticized Over Children's Private School Enrollment

Keisha Lance Bottoms, a leading Democrat campaigning for Georgia governor, has faced scrutiny for sending her children to Woodward Academy, a private institution with tuition exceeding $37,000 annually. This decision has drawn attention given the Democratic Party of Georgia's stated opposition to school choice policies, which they argue divert taxpayer funds from public education.

While Bottoms has not publicly detailed her specific stance on school choice programs, her party has strongly criticized such initiatives. The DPG has characterized them as a "scam to siphon taxpayer money away from public schools." Bottoms herself has advocated for increased public school funding.

According to reports, two of Bottoms's four children have already graduated from Woodward Academy. The estimated cost for a student to attend from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade at the school, based on current tuition rates, is nearly $477,740. The tuition for her 15-year-old twins this year alone would approach $80,000 for both.

This issue has emerged as a significant point in the gubernatorial race, with polls indicating a close contest between Bottoms and her Republican opponent, Rick Jackson. Jackson supports financial assistance programs for families, including vouchers, to help them choose educational options such as private schools.

Bottoms has also emphasized her commitment to universal pre-kindergarten in Georgia, proposing an increase in funding for the program. This plan, intended to be financed through legalized casino gambling, aims to address current limitations where the program serves approximately 57 percent of eligible four-year-olds, with waiting lists in some areas.

"As a mother of four, I know every child deserves a strong start in school. Yet each year in Georgia, thousands of four-year-olds are left behind," Bottoms stated, highlighting the need for expanded pre-K access. She has also outlined plans for free technical and community college pathways for high school graduates.

Bottoms, a graduate of Atlanta's Frederick Douglass High School, has previously spoken about the importance of public education. She earned her bachelor's degree from Florida A&M University and a law degree from Georgia State University College of Law.

Georgia ranks 26th in education nationwide, according to U.S. News & World Report's Best States rankings. Education and affordability have been identified by Bottoms as central issues in her campaign.