Nonprofit Says Requests For School Choice Scholarships Have Risen Significantly Since COVID

A nonprofit organization that provides school choice scholarships to low-income children has seen requests for students to move out of the public school system nearly triple since the government closed down schools across the country during COVID.

The group, ACE Scholarships, has reportedly seen requests for scholarships increase from 12,311 for the 2021-2022 school year to 32,113 for the 2023-2024 school year.

“Every kid learns differently, so a one-size-fits-all education system, no matter how well-meaning, cannot accommodate every student. The soaring demand for ACE scholarships is a testament to the hope school choice provides for students and their parents. We are committed to helping students find institutions where they can excel,” ACE CEO Norton Rainey told The Daily Wire.

ACE has allocated 14,090 scholarships for kids to go to private schools worth $42,660,935 for this school year alone.

The nonprofit reported that students it provided scholarships for tested 54% more proficient in math and 34% more proficient in reading than those in public schools.

“This historic demand for educational freedom should empower states currently considering school choice legislation in 2024 to act now. Every kid — no matter what state they live in — deserves access to a high-quality education that sets them up for a lifetime of success. We can’t let them down,” Rainey said.

ACE maintains that the “American public education system is flawed,” “free enterprise and democracy work,” and that “parents know the best education environment for their kids.”