Private schools reaping benefits of NC's voucher law expansion
The expansion, which went into effect prior to the 2024-2025 school year, did away with a limit on how much a family makes in order to qualify for tuition vouchers from the state.
Information about private schools' voucher funding was provided Thursday by Public Schools First NC, a non-profit organization committed to informing and educating North Carolinians about policies affecting public schools.
In 2022-23, the largest cohort of voucher recipients in the state attended Grace Christian School in Sanford, garnering the school over $3 million.
WUNC reports that after the income limit was removed, Grace Christian required for the first time that all students apply for the Opportunity Scholarships.
Grace Christian saw a bump from $3.07 million to $5.13 million from the 2023-24 to 2024-2025 school years. That $2 million difference represents a 67% increase.
Lee Christian School also saw a 67% increase, going from $1.1 million to $1.83 million in voucher funds for those two years.
Calvary Education Center in Lemon Springs went from $114,932 to $272,020, a difference of 137%.
Carolina Christian Academy declined 10% from $70,302 to $63,214.
CHATHAM
Thales Academy of Pittsboro went from $145,620 to $1.1 million, a whopping increase of 665%.
Haw River Christian Academy, northwest of Pittsboro, jumped from $121,983 to $545,715, a difference of 347%.
Jordan Lake School of the Arts, north of Wilsonville, increased 156% from $22,722 to $58,252.
Holy Youth Christian Academy, which is in northern Chatham, south of Chapel Hill, saw a 9% increase, going from $399,616 to $433,884.
HARNETT
Cape Fear Christian Academy, northwest of Erwin, increased 94%, going from $751,152 to $1.46 million.
Brookside Christian Academy in Dunn increased 69%, going from $691,187 to $1.16 million.
Faith Education Academy, southwest of Dunn, went from $225,811 to $314,395, a difference of 39%.
Miracle Tabernacle Academy, between Anderson Creek and Spring Lake, went from $379,840 to $426,580, a difference of 12%.
MOORE
O'Neal School in Southern Pines increased from $874,315 to $1.48 million, a difference of 381%.
Episcopal Day School in Southern Pines increased 316%, going from $97,380 to $404,913.
St. John Paul II Catholic School in Southern Pines increased 189%, going from $357,060 to $1.03 million.
Covenant Preparatory School in Southern Pines went from $129,813 to $351,050, a difference of 170%.
Father Vincent Capodanno High School, southwest of Vass, went from $100,626 to $216,198, a difference of 115%.
Fellowship Christian Academy, southeast of Carthage, went from $384,803 to $803,408, a difference of 109%.
ADVOCACY
The nonprofit wants to raise public awareness about public funds being directed from public to private schools.
In an email, Phillip J. Kirk, who served as chair of the N.C. State Board of Education from 1997-2003, said he supports school choice.
'Poor children deserve the opportunity to get a quality education when the traditional public schools fail them,' he said. 'Liberal policies are responsible for school choice growing in popularity. This growth will continue with strong Republican support.'
The expansion eliminated the family income limit, which was $57,720 for a family of four in 2023-24. The voucher program started in the 2014-15 school year.
Meanwhile, the Sanford Area Growth Alliance (SAGA) is raising funds for public school teachers, including pens, pencils, dry erase markers, notebooks, etc.
The deadline to contribute is July 17, according to a June 25 email. For more information about that effort, email sgomez@growsanfordnc.com.
Data from Public Schools First NC shows the ethnic/racial breakdown of students served by the vouchers as follows: 63% white, 19% black and 11% Hispanic, among others.
At least eight private schools raised their tuition to the exact amount of the full Opportunity Scholarship following the expansion, according to WUNC. In 2024-25, the voucher limit per student was $7,468.
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