PSFNC Report Finds 80% of Voucher Schools Use Selective Policies

RALEIGH, NC, UNITED STATES, September 29, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- The Public Schools First NC (PSFNC) has released a new report detailing the admissions policies of private schools in North Carolina that receive taxpayer funds through the Opportunity Scholarship (OS) voucher program. The report, titled "NC School Vouchers," is a comprehensive examination of the selective practices used by these private schools, which have received more than $1.6 billion in state funding since the program's launch in 2014.

Despite the significant investment, state law mandates minimal accountability for how these funds are spent, whether the schools provide adequate instructional programs, or whether they refuse admission to groups of students based on student or family characteristics. This lack of oversight stands in stark contrast to public schools, which adhere to detailed regulations for spending and transparency, including participating in the state testing program and electing school boards from community members.

PSFNC's latest report, an update to previous studies, reveals that 80% of the 703 voucher-accepting private schools that received taxpayer funds through the OS voucher program during the 2025-26 school year exhibited some evidence of selective admissions practices. These policies are applied regardless of whether students are paying tuition with a taxpayer-funded voucher.

The report's findings highlight a wide range of admissions criteria used by private schools, including religious beliefs, academic performance, disability status, and membership in the LGBTQ+ community. Some schools also require students and families to sign a "lifestyle policy" that extends to activities and behaviors of family members and associates. Non-compliance with these policies can result in a rejected application or expulsion from the school.

PSFNC's research involved a thorough examination of all 703 voucher-accepting private schools that received taxpayer funds through the OS voucher program during the 2025-26 school year. The organization compiled an online searchable database listing all 703 schools, their voucher funding, selective admissions policies (where found), and a link to the policy. This database serves as an important resource for providing insight into the schools receiving taxpayer-funded tuition vouchers.

Public Schools First NC is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing accurate information about North Carolina's K-12 education landscape. The organization's mission is to ensure that taxpayers' dollars are used effectively and transparently, and the new report underscores the need for greater accountability in the use of these funds.

The information contained in this report is provided by Public Schools First NC and is intended to inform the public about the admissions policies of private schools receiving taxpayer-funded vouchers in North Carolina. The organization's goal is to promote transparency and ensure that these funds are used to benefit all students, regardless of their background or characteristics.