Poll: Americans strongly support school choice, especially in states with new programs

Enthusiasm for school choice continues to spread like wildfire as American parents seek more flexibility. 

New polling from yes. every kid., an education advocacy group, shows most Americans want the school choice movement to continue full steam ahead. 

The national survey found 74% of Americans want the education system to be more flexible. Over 60% said funding should follow the student. 

“There’s one clear message across the country: families, not systems, should drive education,” said Matt Frendewey, vice president of strategy at yes. every kid. 

“Polling shows broad agreement that parents deserve more flexibility and control over how and where their children learn. Together, these results point to a national realignment already reshaping education policy.” 

The survey also took a closer look at four states with new programs and found strong public support. 

Iowa 

The Hawkeye State launched its now-universal education savings account (ESA) program in 2023, thanks to the advocacy of Gov. Kim Reynolds. 

This year, the program has nearly 44,000 participants – 8% of the total K-12 population. 

Three-quarters of surveyed Iowans support education freedom, with 74% of parents interested in using the tax credit program. 

Reynolds has announced she won’t run for re-election, but 84% of Iowans say K-12 education should be a top priority of the next governor. 

Idaho 

Idaho also has strong public support for school choice (82%), and many parents are interested in participating in its new tax credit program (77%). 

A longtime school choice desert, Idaho had its first ever school choice program signed into law by Gov. Brad Little earlier this year. 

However, the Idaho Education Association is suing the new program, arguing all funding should go to the state’s “underfunded” public schools. 

For comparison, the school choice program was allocated $50 million, while Idaho public schools received over $5 billion in 2024. 

South Carolina  

The Palmetto State had legal difficulties passing school choice, but finally launched an ESA program for low-income families in 2024. 

After a lawsuit, the South Carolina Supreme Court shut down the program, ruling it unconstitutional to use tax dollars to fund private K-12 education.  

But education reformers persisted, and the state Legislature passed a new version of the program that launched in 2025 with 10,000 participants. 

According to yes. every kid., nearly 80% of South Carolinians support the program, which prioritizes low-income and military families. 

Georgia  

Georgia’s ESA program launched in 2025, with 90% of poll respondents in support. Nearly 70% also want the program to be expanded to all students, as it’s currently limited by income. 

Gov. Brian Kemp, who finishes his term in 2027, was praised for giving the program his unequivocal support. Nearly 80% of survey respondents said K-12 education should also be a top priority for the next governor. 

“Families are leading. Policymakers are catching up,” Frendewey concluded. “The education freedom movement has momentum on its side.”