Idaho’s school choice program gets thousands of applications in first few days

Days after launching its first-ever school choice program, Idaho has received thousands of applications from families hungry for education freedom.

Early data from the Idaho State Tax Commission revealed 4,650 families representing over 7,300 students have already applied for the Idaho Parental Choice Tax Credit.

“Five days in, Idaho’s parental choice tax credit is clearly meeting immediate demand,” said Chris Cargill, president and CEO of Mountain States Policy Center. “Thousands of families appear poised to participate before the March 15 deadline – underscoring that school choice isn’t a niche concept in Idaho, but a mainstream need for families across the state.”

Even if the application pace slows in half, Cargill estimates as many as 43,000 students may apply.

The tax credit program has a budget of $50 million and is available to all Idaho families. However, if the number of eligible applicants exceeds the funding, the state will prioritize low-income students. 

Each tax credit is worth $5,000, although students with disabilities can receive $7,500. 

Despite massive demand from families, the Idaho state teachers’ union filed a lawsuit against the program in September. 

“Legislators cannot fund a private-school program while starving public schools for decades,” claimed the Idaho Education Association.  

It pointed to a portion of the Idaho Constitution requiring the state government to maintain public schools and complained the state couldn’t fund “a parallel system of private schools outside of the single public school system prescribed by the constitution.” 

However, Idaho public schools are already spending $9,400 per student – nearly twice the amount of the Parental Choice Tax Credit. 

Idaho Gov. Little has actually increased public school funding at the same time. 

“I am proud that we have put close to $17 BILLION into our K-12 public school system since I took office and increased public school funding by close to 60% in just a few years,” Little said in 2025, after signing school choice into law. 

“Idaho can have it all – strong public schools AND education freedom. Providing high-quality education for Idaho students will always be our top priority.”