HOUSTON — As the March 17 deadline approaches for Texas’s record-setting school choice program, Houston families are leading the state in applications for Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFAs).
With over 38,000 applications originating from the region, Houston tops the list of requests for the program, which launches for the 2026-2027 school year. TEFAs provide families more than $10,000 annually for private school tuition, while students with disabilities can receive up to $30,000.
“Demand is strong for the record-setting launch of school choice in Texas,” said Kelly Hancock, whose office administers the program.
The application window opened on Feb. 4 and closes March 17. Advocates say the program represents the largest pull for educational choice in the U.S., with over 160,000 applications submitted statewide as of March 8.
Houston ISD leads the local exodus, submitting 7,553 applications, according to the comptroller’s office. Lawmakers have set aside $1 billion for the program’s first year, enough to fund roughly 100,000 students. Funds may be used for tutoring, uniforms, technology, transportation, and tuition at approved schools.
A lottery is expected to prioritize students with disabilities and lower-income families, especially for pre-kindergarten programs where eligibility is more limited. Pre-K applicants must meet one of eight criteria, including language barriers, homelessness, foster care status, or being the child of an active-duty military member or teacher.
Houston’s lead in applications reflects both its size and ongoing trend of families seeking alternatives. Houston ISD has lost over 39,000 students since 2016, with many opting into charter schools. During that period, public charter schools in the region have grown by 68%, now serving about 85,000 students.
Courtney Durbin of Good Reason Houston said families increasingly explore alternatives when local schools fail to meet their needs.
Critics, however, note that a majority of applicants already attend private or charter schools. The Texas Center for Voucher Transparency found that 76% of applicants did not attend a public school in the previous year, prompting concerns that the program primarily benefits families already paying tuition. The Texas State Teachers Association noted that “most of the applications have been coming from families who have already been paying for private school tuition without dipping into taxpayer dollars.”
Applications close March 17 at 11:59 p.m., with acceptance notifications expected by mid-April. For Houston families, the outcome could significantly influence how students navigate the region’s growing mix of public, charter, and private school options in the state’s expanding school choice landscape.
