North Carolina expanded its Opportunity Scholarship program to more than $580 million during the 2025-2026 school year. Nearly 107,000 students received taxpayer-funded private school vouchers across the state. State lawmakers removed income restrictions from the program in 2023, allowing all families to apply regardless of earnings. A 2024 override of Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto accelerated the program’s statewide growth.
The scholarship program allows students to attend participating private kindergarten through twelfth grade schools using public funding. North Raleigh Christian Academy received the largest allocation at approximately $6.25 million this academic year.
Voucher funding increased sharply over the last two academic years following the policy changes. The program distributed about $186 million two years ago and roughly $432 million last year.
A Department of Public Instruction report identified more than 12,000 voucher recipients as former public school students. The report estimated public schools would lose $35.8 million across the next two academic years.
Online Reactions Focus on Teacher Pay and Public Funding
Online reactions intensified after North Carolina’s private school voucher program surpassed $580 million in funding. Commenters questioned how the state prioritized education spending following the program’s rapid expansion.
Several users criticized the use of taxpayer money for private education. “Welfare for the rich, taken from your taxes.”
Others compared the voucher funding to public school teacher salaries across the state. “580 mil for private schools but can’t pay teachers a livable wage.”
Some commenters focused on the pace of the program’s growth over recent academic years. “That’s some serious taxpayer money flowing to private schools now.”
Another reaction questioned the program’s oversight and accountability structure. “Yep, and there is zero accountability built into the system.”
Public school funding impacts from the voucher expansion remain under review.
