Cecilia Maes, the superintendent of Alhambra Elementary School District, near Great Hearts Christos’s Phoenix location, has no shortage of ideas of what she could do with more money: Give raises to teachers. “In public schools, we are committed to every child who walks through our doors, regardless of the challenges,” Dr. Maes said, echoing critics who say that children with the fewest resources and highest needs tend to be left out of the school choice frenzy. Patrick Wolf, a University of Arkansas professor who studies school choice and has supported vouchers, said that expanding eligibility “pulls in a broader customer base,” which builds political support. Steve Perez, a 38-year-old mortgage loan officer who says he is politically independent, will use vouchers to send four children to Great Hearts Christos. “What parent wouldn’t,” he asked, “given this opportunity, choose what they believe to be a superior education if they can?”

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Persons: Cecilia Maes, ” Dr, Maes, Katie Hobbs, Patrick Wolf, Steve Perez, ” Organizations: Elementary School District, Hire, Democrat, Republican Legislature, University of Arkansas Locations: Hearts