School choice participation topped 1.3 million students last school year, up 25%

Over 1.3 million students were enrolled in private school choice programs last year – with enrollment continuing to grow across the United States.

Participation surged 25% in 2024-25, up from 1 million the previous year. And with more states adding or expanding programs, that number could hit 1.4 million in 2025-26, said Colyn Ritter, senior researcher for EdChoice, a leading school choice advocate.

“Next year’s going to include newer states like Idaho and Wyoming,” Ritter told The Lion. “New Hampshire recently eliminated their income requirements. My bet is it will be creeping up toward 1.4 million and perhaps surpassing that.” 

Several states showed strong gains last school year: 

• Arkansas: Enrollment nearly tripled from 4,800 to 14,300 in 2024-25 as more students became eligible. This school year, all students can receive education savings account funds. 

• Iowa: Participation jumped 66%, from 16,750 to 27,900 students in 2024-25. The program is now fully universal. 

• West Virginia: Enrollment nearly doubled, from 5,400 to 11,000 in 2024-25. Starting in 2026, the program will be fully universal. 

Other leaders include Florida and Arizona, where 10% or more of students participate in choice programs. Florida alone has more than 500,000 school choice students. 

“The landscape of Florida is one of innovation,” Ritter said. “They laid the groundwork and now the supply side of the market is producing innovation and parents are getting more options to choose. I wouldn’t be surprised if its number grows to 15% or so over the next couple of years.” 

Further growth is expected in 2026-27, when Texas launches education savings accounts with funding for 90,000 or more students. The federal government is also entering the arena, approving a national tax credit scholarship program in this year’s budget bill, set to start in 2027. 

“Texas is a large state, obviously, and going from zero participation to 90,000 is a massive jump,” Ritter said. “It would automatically be one of the biggest programs in terms of single participation.” 

Programs are also growing in North Carolina and Alabama as school choice sweeps across much of the South. Georgia may expand its program, Ritter said, and Mississippi leaders have said they will make passing school choice a priority in 2026. 

These gains mark a seismic shift in how America educates its children. 

“The numbers speak for themselves; families want choice, and a 25% increase in one year shows that more families are starting to take advantage of programs offered in their area,” EdChoice said in its report. “Importantly, it’s a positive step in closing the gap between parent preferences and student enrollment.” 

The organization’s annual Schooling in America survey found 50% of parents say they would choose private school or homeschool if given the chance, but 80% of students attend traditional public schools. 

Ritter said safety and the desire for more personalized learning are the main reasons parents move their children. 

“The real motivator for families is whether or not their kid feels safe, whether or not their academic needs are being met for a student with special needs, or just a student without special needs. And then a lack of one-on-one attention, personalized learning, things like that. 

“And that’s also what we know from our research of microschools, is that parents are choosing microschools because their kid can feel safe,” he said. “They’re not being bullied as much and they’re getting a more personalized learning experience.” 

Although programs often face accusations of benefiting the wealthy, Ritter said research shows participation mirrors broader society in states that report family income. 

“In Indiana, out of 75,000 kids participating, 55% of parents make less than $100,000,” he said. “Additionally, 26% earn up to $150,000 and only 19% make more than that.” 

The same is true in North Carolina, with about half of families earning less than $100,000 and fewer than one-fifth earning above $150,000. 

“It’s not all going to rich families,” Ritter said. “It’s actually pretty evenly distributed.” 

Similarly, claims that school choice will cause widespread public school closings, especially in rural areas, are unfounded. 

“We’ve done extensive research and those are mere claims. It’s a ‘Chicken Little,’ ‘the sky is falling’ type of thing,” he said. 

What’s driving the push for educational freedom, according to Ritter, is the desire for options. 

“The momentum for choice is certainly real,” he said. “The federal program is completely unprecedented. What we’re seeing in states is also unprecedented. 

“There’s a real issue: Students are not being served. The current system of going to school where you can afford to live is antiquated and it’s not going to meet the needs of families or students. Education just continues to get more personalized.” 

He added that issues such as masking students during COVID-19 and how much technology to allow in schools will continue to divide parents, spurring the demand for options. 

“Parents really have to have options in their child’s education,” Ritter said. “Parents need time. They need experience with different schools, especially coming out of a system (that) where you live is where you go to school. 

“I can see a future where opponents are arguing, ‘see, choice doesn’t work. Parents can’t find the right fit for their kid.’ But to me, that’s the best part of these programs – the ability to switch schools to find the right fit.”