Empowering Parental Choice

Arizona stands at the forefront of educational freedom, offering parents diverse options for their children's schooling, from preschool through 12th grade, through scholarships and Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs). These programs aim to make private education accessible, allowing families to choose the learning environment that best suits their children's needs.

Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs)

Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Account program provides state-funded scholarships directly to families. This program is exceptionally broad in its eligibility, as all K-12 students residing in Arizona qualify, regardless of family income or past academic performance. Preschool children with disabilities are also eligible.

Key aspects of ESAs:

• Funding: ESAs are funded by state tax dollars, with families receiving 90% of the state's per-pupil funding that would have otherwise gone to a public school.
• Award Amounts: On average, kindergarten students receive approximately $4,000-$5,000 per school year, while students in grades 1-12 receive between $6,000 and $9,000 annually. Students with special needs may be eligible for additional funding based on their disability category and required services.
• Eligible Expenses: ESA funds offer significant flexibility and can be used for a wide range of educational expenses, including:
• Private school tuition and fees.
• Required textbooks.
• Tutoring and teaching services.
• Online learning courses and fees.
• School services, including extracurriculars.
• Uniforms.
• Transportation expenses.
• Application Process: Applications are accepted year-round and typically processed within 30 days. The process is straightforward, generally requiring submission of the student's birth certificate and proof of residency.

School Tuition Organization (STO) Scholarships

Arizona also offers several tax-credit scholarship programs administered by School Tuition Organizations (STOs). These scholarships are funded by donations from Arizona taxpayers who receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for their contributions. STOs then use these funds to grant scholarships to students attending participating private schools.

Types of STO Scholarships include:

• Original Individual Income Tax Credit Scholarship Program.
• “Switcher” Individual Income Tax Credit Scholarship Program.
• Low-Income Corporate Income Tax Credit Scholarship Program.
• Lexie's Law for Disabled and Displaced Students Tax Credit Scholarship Program.

Eligibility for STO scholarships can vary depending on the specific granting organization and the program. For instance, the Low-Income Corporate Scholarships have income guidelines.

Phoenix Christian Preparatory School: An Example

Phoenix Christian Preparatory School, founded in 1949, offers education from Pre-K through 12th grade. It serves as an excellent example of a private school option for Arizona families.

For the 2024-2025 school year, the annual tuition rates for Phoenix Christian Preparatory School (PreK-8) are:

• Pre-Kindergarten: Ranging from $3,240 (MWF Half Day) to $7,980 (M-F Full Day) for the first enrolled student, with slightly lower rates for additional enrolled students.
• Kindergarten: $8,340 for the first enrolled student.
• Elementary (1st-4th Grade): $9,600 for the first enrolled student.
• Middle School (5th-8th Grade): $10,320 for the first enrolled student.
• High School : $10,834 for 9th-12th grade.
•  International Students Tuition rates are $26,153. 

 Through the strategic use of ESAs and STO scholarships, the cost of attending Phoenix Christian Preparatory School can be significantly reduced or potentially covered entirely, depending on the student's grade level and specific eligibility.

Comparing and Contrasting ESAs and STO Scholarships

While both ESAs and STO scholarships provide avenues for private school choice in Arizona, they differ in their funding mechanisms, flexibility, and eligibility:

Parents in Arizona have powerful tools at their disposal to customize their children's education. By understanding and utilizing Empowerment Scholarship Accounts and School Tuition Organization scholarships, families can explore private school options like Phoenix Christian Preparatory School, ensuring their children receive an education tailored to their unique needs and values.