This week marks National School Choice Week, and there’s a lot to celebrate. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated changes in the education system, including the growing demand for alternatives to traditional schooling. With funding now following students rather than being tied to government-run schools in many states, more families are choosing what works best for their children. And most are happy with their choices.
The Rise of School Choice Programs
By the end of 2024, more than one million students in the United States were expected to participate in private school choice programs, according to Colyn Ritter from EdChoice. “Participation has more than doubled since 2020,” Ritter said.
Florida leads the way, with nearly 13% of students enrolled in private school choice programs. Arizona follows closely behind, with 10% of their students participating.
These “private school choice programs” allow families to use some or all of the funding allocated for public schools to pay for private schooling, microschools, homeschooling, and other options. More states are offering education savings accounts (ESAs), tax credits, or vouchers. While terms may vary, ESAs generally offer more flexibility, while vouchers provide direct tuition payments to private schools.
A Variety of Education Choices for Families
School choice programs are only part of the picture. Many families are choosing educational options outside of these programs. The latest data shows that 2.2% of students attend private schools through a choice program, while 6.8% attend private schools by paying tuition themselves or using private scholarships. The majority, 74.8%, attend traditional public schools, 4.9% attend magnet schools, and 6.6% attend publicly funded charter schools. About 4.7% of students are homeschooled.
In recent years, homeschooling has seen significant growth. Many parents began homeschooling during the pandemic when public schools were closed and discovered they preferred the flexibility and results. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey, around 5.82% of American K-12 students were homeschooled in the 2022-2023 school year. This trend continued into the following year, with 21 states reporting growth or recovery in homeschooling numbers.
Parent Satisfaction with School Choice
The increasing availability of school options is a reflection of what parents want. A December 2024 poll by Morning Consult/EdChoice asked parents what type of school they would choose for their child if given the option. Here are the results: 8% preferred charter schools, 13% chose homeschooling, 12% favored religious private schools, 20% selected secular private schools, and 35% chose public schools in their district.
When parents get to choose, they tend to be satisfied. The same poll found that 81% of parents were satisfied with charter schools, 94% with homeschooling, 90% with religious private schools, 88% with secular private schools, 80% with in-district public schools, and 85% with out-of-district public schools.
However, homeschooling and private schools had the highest percentage of parents reporting being “very satisfied.”
Broad Support for School Choice
School choice has long been popular among Americans, and support remains strong as more families are empowered to find the best fit for their children’s education. The American Federation for Children has consistently found that two-thirds to three-quarters of Americans support allowing parents to use their tax dollars for the school that best serves their child’s needs.
After the challenges of pandemic-related school closures, lost learning, and debates over educational content, it’s no surprise that many Americans now see school choice as a way to avoid these issues and find better educational options.
In conclusion, Americans want the freedom to choose the best educational path for their children, and they’re generally happy when they have that freedom. This shift in the education landscape highlights the importance of choice and flexibility in meeting the diverse needs of students across the country.
