When it comes to choosing a school for your child in Arizona, it’s a bit like going to a buffet. There are a myriad of choices available: traditional public schools, private schools, charter schools, magnet schools, virtual schooling, microschooling and homeschooling. Not to mention, there are options within options; e.g., several types of homeschooling options. It can be a bit overwhelming for parents to contemplate.
In addition to choosing the type of education parents want for their child, they must consider what their ESA will cover. The Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) is the amount of state money spent on a child’s education in a traditional public school. When a parent wishes to remove their child from that school to receive a different type of education, the ESA money follows them. In Arizona, 90% of that money can be used for private schools, homeschooling, and other education-related necessities. In this way, parents have the right to choose how their tax dollars are spent on their child’s education.
Arizona’s ESA for private school education is an average of $9,572. With this amount of funds supporting private school educations, is a charter school option like Leman Academy still an excellent school choice?
In this blog, we’ll zoom in on Tucson and examine the benefits and drawbacks of using ESAs to fund private education in Arizona. First, let’s take a closer look at ESAs and what they are.
What are ESA Grants and Why are They Fueling Private School Growth in Tucson?
The Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) provides parents with their share of tax money used in the traditional school education of their child to pay for private schooling. It can also be used for homeschooling expenses, therapies for special education, tutoring, curricula, and other expenses related to education.
A national leader, Arizona was the country’s first state to allow families, regardless of income, to use public dollars for private school tuition. In the 2023-2024 school year, over 75,000 scholars in Arizona have received ESA awards. Now, President Trump, in his July 4th “One Big Beautiful Bill”, has signed into law a federal tax-credit scholarship program to provide private and parochial school scholarships for families across the nation. As a result of these programs, Arizona has seen, and will likely continue to see, a surge in private school enrollments.
In Tucson, approximately 9% of their K-12 scholars attend private schools, compared to the state average of 6%. Driven by the ESA program and parents’ concerns over public schools’ quality of education, parents are seeking smaller class sizes and stronger academic programs. As a result of this increase in private school applications, Arizona’s private schools have raised tuition between 6% and 20%.
Although ESAs have made private school education more affordable for Arizona families, parents need to take this a step further and examine exactly what costs are incurred in a private school education before they make the choice to send their children to one.
The Tucson Private School Boom: Hidden Costs and Enrollment Gaps
Before applying for enrollment in a private school, parents should educate themselves on all the costs involved in sending their children to that school. Tuition isn’t the only expense they will incur. There are also fees for textbooks, lab fees, uniforms, extracurricular activities, testing, transportation, and supplies. Furthermore, the ESA grant may not cover all the costs of tuition.
When a school is filled to capacity, families are placed on a waitlist. As spots open up in classrooms, scholars from the waitlist are selected to occupy them. However, a waitlist isn’t a guarantee that the scholar will be given a seat. Some parents will see a rise in tuition costs while on the waitlist, and if their child is selected, they won’t be able to cover the costs. Thus, they are priced out of the option for private schooling.
In Arizona, laws allow private schools to operate without direct supervision from state or local authorities. They’re still required to meet guidelines that apply to school safety and the implementation of special education services; however, private schools are not required to be held accountable for tuition rates. It’s important to note that even during these volatile times in private school tuition, many schools do offer financial aid to families. In addition, residents of Arizona may claim a tax credit for private school tuition.
Leman Academy’s Commitment to Tucson Families
The Leman Academy of Excellence, a K-8 Classical Education school with campuses in Arizona and Colorado, is committed to providing its scholars with an exceptional education. If you’re gazing at the school choice “buffet”, here are four reasons to consider Leman Academy:
1. Tucson and its surrounding areas are home to four Leman campuses: Central Tucson, East Tucson, Marana and Oro Valley. Additionally, Leman’s Virtual Academy is also headquartered in Tucson. Any scholar in the state can attend Leman virtually.
2. Leman Academy teaches with the Classical Educational model based on the Trivium. A well-rounded, values-driven curriculum sets Leman apart from other schools, with its scholars acquiring excellent critical thinking abilities and a strong character foundation.
3. Leman Academy is a charter school — no tuition is charged. There are no surprise fees, and Leman is fully public and fully accountable.
4. Leman serves scholars from all of Tucson with diverse enrollment and open access for families from every background.
Conclusion: Think Beyond ESA
While an ESA is a huge driving factor of school choice, it isn’t guaranteed to cover all the costs you would need to send your child to a private school, and it doesn’t promise that your child will be accepted into a private school of your choice.
It’s even more important for you to consider the quality of the education you wish your child to receive. If you’re dining at a real buffet, you’ll select the food choices that provide you with a well-rounded meal. In the same way, it’s critical to consider your child’s needs, talents, and strengths and find a school that can offer exactly the type of setting your child needs.
The Leman Academy of Excellence offers a stable, proven, and tuition-free alternative that continues to grow with Tucson’s families in mind.
Schedule a tour, attend an info session, or explore how Leman Academy can meet your family’s needs, without the high cost.
Simplified Summary
ESA grants give families money from the state to help pay for education. This article explains how ESA programs work and how they affect school choice.