On Friday, Gov. Kay Ivey introduced the Siemens family in Dothan as part of the state’s Educational Savings Account Program, which is part of the Alabama choice law.
Brady and Hannah Siemens are the parents of three children: Gabriel in 11th grade, Remington in 7th grade, and Annalize, who is in the third grade, all of whom benefit from the program.
Gov. Ivey remarked, “Brady and Hannah Siemens wanted Alabama to have programs like the Choice Act to help children get the best education possible. Now, that dream is a reality.” She expressed optimism about the choices available for more Alabama families, like the Siemens, going forward.
Before attending Northside Methodist Academy, the Siemens kids were in different schools—Gabriel at a private institution while Remington and Annalize were in public schools. This made transportation a bit of a juggling act, especially with both parents working full-time.
Brady works in sales, and Hannah is a medical assistant. At one point, Hannah had to spend nearly two hours a day just for school pickups. Now, they’ve chosen to have all three kids at the same school.
While Hannah appreciated the public schools for her younger children, she really wanted an opportunity for them to learn in the same environment and be part of the same community.
She encouraged other families to explore the program, saying, “I’m all in! I’ve shared this experience with many people. A single friend mentioned it was life-changing for her.”
Hannah also highlighted how well her children are doing in their new school: Gabriel is involved in sports, Remington enjoys math and Boy Scouts, and Annalize loves dancing and reading.
She expressed her optimism, stating, “This presents a fantastic opportunity for taxpayers. I feel more hopeful about my children’s future and I’m proud to provide them with a great start. I believe they can go to college and beyond, getting a tailored education along the way.”
The Siemens family represents thousands benefitting from the choice program.
Last month, Gov. Ivey also featured the McDade family from Montgomery, pledging to continue showcasing stories of Alabama families impacted by the program.
The Choice Act establishes a refundable income tax credit in the form of an educational savings account, allowing K-12 students to access educational opportunities. Families can use these ESAs for tuition, fees, and other approved educational costs at participating providers statewide.
Since launching in January 2025, over 36,800 students from all Alabama counties have applied to participate. The program offers $7,000 per student enrolled in participating schools, $2,000 for those attending home schools, and up to $4,000 per family.
The Alabama Department of Revenue, which oversees the selection process, reports that more than 23,000 students across all grades applied this year. Overall, the program has already allocated more than $124 million in ESA funding to families in Alabama.
For more information, including parent guides, frequently asked questions, and lists of approved providers, you can visit www.chooseact.alabama.gov. Applications for the 2026-2027 academic year will open in January 2026.
