{"id":20719,"date":"2026-01-17T16:21:21","date_gmt":"2026-01-17T22:21:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/dallas\/2026\/01\/17\/how-do-private-schools-become-eligible-for-texas-school-voucher-like-program\/"},"modified":"2026-01-17T16:21:21","modified_gmt":"2026-01-17T22:21:21","slug":"how-do-private-schools-become-eligible-for-texas-school-voucher-like-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/dallas\/2026\/01\/17\/how-do-private-schools-become-eligible-for-texas-school-voucher-like-program\/","title":{"rendered":"How do private schools become eligible for Texas\u2019 school voucher-like program?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction to Texas Education Freedom Accounts<\/h1>\n

Texas families can receive money from the state to help pay for private schooling, starting next school year. Gov. Greg Abbott signed the $1 billion education savings accounts program into law in May, creating Texas Education Freedom Accounts. It is expected to be the largest school voucher-style program in the country. Approved private schools can start accepting ESAs in the 2026-27 school year.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what to know about how private schools become eligible to accept ESA funds.<\/p>\n

What is an ESA?<\/h2>\n

An education savings account offers selected families money to go toward their child\u2019s tuition, tutoring, homeschool expenses, and other approved education expenses.<\/p>\n

Students attending an approved private school can receive about $10,500 to help with expenses. Students with disabilities could receive up to $30,000 each year. Homeschool students may get up to $2,000.<\/p>\n

Acting State Comptroller Kelly Hancock said the program prioritizes low-income students and students with special needs. About 80,000 are expected to participate in the program in the first year.<\/p>\n

Related<\/p>\n

Types of Private Schools<\/h2>\n

Private schools range from religious institutions to boarding schools. Some revolve around teaching philosophies or cater to specific types of students. For example, Montessori schools boast an individually paced, student-centered learning. Special needs schools hire specialized staff to support students with learning disabilities.<\/p>\n

The median private school tuition for the 2024-25 school year was $9,400, according to the Texas Private Schools Association.<\/p>\n

Deadlines for Private Schools and Families<\/h2>\n

The application period for private schools to take ESAs opened on Dec. 9. Afterward, private schools will be accepted on a rolling basis.<\/p>\n

Families can start submitting applications in February. They are expected to know by May if they were approved.<\/p>\n

Experts say the timeline of the program could prevent low-income families from participating in the program, the Houston Chronicle reported. Since private schools set their own admissions, some have application deadlines that close before families find out whether they will receive state aid.<\/p>\n

Approved Schools in North Texas<\/h2>\n

As of January, more than 1,000 schools across the state have been approved to accept ESA funds next school year, according to a map released by the Texas Comptroller\u2019s office. That includes more than 260 schools in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, serving pre-K to high school grades.<\/p>\n

Related<\/p>\n

\"Students<\/p>\n

The Hockaday School, the top-ranked private school in the Dallas Fort-Worth area on Niche, did not appear on the map. The school confirmed to The News that it has not signed up to receive ESAs and did not comment on whether it plans to.<\/p>\n

Accreditation Requirements for Private Schools<\/h2>\n

Private schools must be accredited by an organization recognized by the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission or an accreditor recognized by the Texas Education Agency.<\/p>\n

The private schools must also have operated for at least two school years before applying. To participate, private schools are required to administer a nationally norm-referenced test.<\/p>\n

Accreditation Requirements for Private Day Cares<\/h2>\n

Private providers of pre-K or kindergarten can accept ESAs, as long as they are licensed by and in good standing with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. They also must meet one of the following requirements.<\/p>\n