Texas school vouchers spark rapid growth of classical Christian academies
Texas' new $1 billion education savings account program is fueling a surge in classical Christian schools, with networks aiming to open thousands of new campuses.
Texas rolled out a $1 billion education savings account system that allows eligible families to apply public money toward private school tuition, accelerating the expansion of classical Christian academies. Administrators such as Keith Castello are opening three new Kyrie Christian Academy campuses, while the Association of Classical Christian Schools (ACCS) targets 5,000 new schools and 1.5 million students over the next decade.
The network, founded by conservative pastor Doug Wilson, emphasizes a liberal-arts curriculum rooted in Christian doctrine and cites the influx of state funds as a historic opportunity. Opponents contend the vouchers siphon resources from public schools and breach church-state separation. Proponents, including ACCS President David Goodwin, argue the program broadens educational choice and cultivates future leaders aligned with their values.
Why it matters
Taxpayer-funded vouchers are reshaping K-12 education by channeling public money into privately run religious schools.
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