While the pandemic-driven surge in private school enrollment has slowed, interest among parents remains high. Public schools may be experiencing its effects.
Between 2023-24 and the start of the 2024-25 school year, private schools reported a 40% increase in enrollment, according to a new survey from the Cato Institute. Another 32% of schools witnessed a decrease, and 28% saw no change.
On average, private schools gained three students, or a 1.6% increase in enrollment. A majority of schools (69%) attribute the increase to a connection with parents’ values, such as:
- A better academic experience (44%)
- Religious alignment (43%)
- Political issues (32%)
- Demographics (24%)
- Affordability and financial reasons (18%)
- Competition with other schools (14%)
For example, one school wrote that “the Educational Choice law, the Hope Scholarship, has made private school tuition education affordable to families that desired it but previously could not afford it.”
A national trend
Cato’s research comes as federal policy gives parents more control over their child’s education. The Trump Administration’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” lets state-approved scholarship funding organizations raise money from donors. Donors receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit of up to $1,7000 per year.
These scholarships can cover private school tuition or other expenses eligible under the Coverdell Education Savings Program.
School choice appears to be exacerbating public school enrollment challenges, such as declining birth rates in parts of the country.
For instance, according to the Pennsylvania Capital-Star, fall 2024 enrollment in Massachusetts was down 2% from pre-pandemic levels, while private school enrollment rose 14% and homeschooling increased by 45%.
One of Texas’s largest school districts, Cypress-Fairbanks, is shrinking as families move toward charter schooling options, according to The Lion.
Last school year, the district lost a net 6,400 students and is expected to lose another 1,300 to charter schools by 2034, according to a report presented by the school board.
In Florida, often cited as the leader in school choice efforts, private schools are witnessing a surge in applications, according to WJNO. It’s largely a result of the state’s 2023 school choice law that allows parents to take their tax dollars and use them for private school tuition.
Jupiter Christian School President Jay Boggess told CBS 12 News that private schooling options provide a service parents say is lacking in public schools.
“In the last 12 months, we have 700 students sitting in a wait pool,” Boggess said. “That signals to me, there is pent-up demand for the type of educational model that we’re providing here.”
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