“Opportunity Scholarships Fuel Growth in North Carolina Christian Schools”

Christian Schools in North Carolina Experience Rapid Growth Through Opportunity Scholarships North Carolina, USA: Christian private schools across North Carolina are experiencing significant growth as the state’s Opportunity Scholarships program provides financial assistance to families choosing private education. The program has helped many schools increase enrollment, improve facilities, and expand educational programs. At the same time, some Christian educators remain cautious about accepting government funding because of concerns about future regulations and the long-term sustainability of the program. Metrolina Christian Academy Sees Major Expansion One example is Metrolina Christian Academy (MCA) in Indian Trail, North Carolina. Over the past two years, the school has made several major improvements, including constructing a new special education building, expanding its track-and-field program, and installing smart whiteboards throughout its classrooms. According to school leadership, MCA has welcomed approximately 250 new students, including several dozen students with special education needs. The school now has an enrollment of around 1,500 students. School officials say that more than $10 million in public grants has contributed to the school's recent growth. During the 2025–26 school year, MCA received approximately $5.8 million through North Carolina's Opportunity Scholarships program, making it one of the largest recipients among private schools in the state. What Are Opportunity Scholarships? North Carolina introduced the Opportunity Scholarships program in 2013 to make private education more accessible, particularly for families with limited financial resources. The program was significantly expanded in 2023. Lawmakers increased the number of families eligible for financial assistance by relaxing income requirements and removing the requirement that students must have previously attended a public school. As a result, students attending private schools across the state can now qualify for different levels of financial assistance. For the 2026–27 school year, a family of four earning around $61,000 or less may qualify for the full scholarship amount, while families with higher incomes can still qualify for partial funding. Scholarship Funding Has Increased Dramatically The expansion has resulted in a major increase in government spending on the program. During the 2023–24 school year, approximately 32,500 students received $185 million in Opportunity Scholarship funding. By 2025–26, more than 106,000 students received approximately $589 million. Religious schools have benefited significantly from this growth. During the 2024–25 school year, religious schools received about 85 percent of the program's funding. At MCA, scholarship funding increased from slightly more than $800,000 in 2023–24 to $5.8 million in 2025–26. The Impact Varies From School to School Although the scholarship program has provided additional financial support, not every Christian school has experienced the same level of enrollment growth. Wake Christian Academy in Raleigh, for example, was already near capacity before the scholarship program was expanded. School officials estimate that many students now receiving scholarships were already enrolled before the changes were introduced. Grace Christian School in Raleigh has also seen a dramatic increase in the percentage of students receiving scholarships. However, school leadership says much of that increase is the result of relaxed eligibility requirements rather than a major increase in enrollment among lower- and middle-income families. Scholarships Have Changed Some Schools' Demographics At other Christian schools, however, the impact has been much more noticeable. Bethesda Christian Academy in Durham experienced a significant increase in new students following the expansion of the scholarship program. School leadership estimates that roughly half of its students would struggle to attend without financial assistance. For these families, the scholarships have made Christian education more affordable at a time when household expenses such as housing, food, and transportation continue to place pressure on family budgets. Critics Raise Concerns Despite the benefits, the Opportunity Scholarships program remains controversial. Critics argue that government funding for private schools could reduce resources available to public education. Some educators believe the program encourages families to leave public schools, potentially affecting enrollment and funding in the public education system. There are also concerns about the socioeconomic and racial makeup of students moving from public to private schools through the program. A 2026 state report found that students who used vouchers to move from public schools to private schools during the 2025–26 school year were more likely to be white and from more affluent backgrounds than the average student. These findings have raised concerns about whether the program could contribute to greater separation based on race and income. Why Some Christian Schools Reject the Funding Not every Christian school wants to accept government scholarship money. Cary Christian School, for example, chose not to participate in the Opportunity Scholarships program, despite potentially receiving millions of dollars in annual funding. School leaders say their primary concern is maintaining independence over their Christian mission and educational approach. Some Christian educators worry that accepting public money today could lead to government requirements in the future involving curriculum, school policies, religious practices, or other areas. Their concern is that once a school becomes dependent on government funding, it may become more difficult to reject new regulations or requirements later. A Blessing With Questions About the Future For schools that do participate, the funding has created opportunities to invest in students and facilities. At Metrolina Christian Academy, for example, additional resources are helping support a new special education program, along with improvements to classrooms and athletic programs. MCA leadership views the funding as an opportunity to make Christian education available to more students while expanding programs that some private schools might otherwise struggle to afford. However, questions remain about how long the current level of government support will continue and whether future lawmakers could introduce new restrictions. The Future of Christian Education in North Carolina North Carolina's Opportunity Scholarships program has opened new doors for Christian schools and families seeking private education. For some schools, the additional funding has contributed to increased enrollment, improved facilities, and expanded educational opportunities. At the same time, the program has sparked an important debate about the role of public money in private and religious education. The future could depend on political decisions following the state's midterm elections, including whether lawmakers maintain the current expansion, modify the program, or introduce additional requirements for participating schools. For Christian schools, the central question remains: Can they benefit from public funding while continuing to protect their independence and Christian mission? As the program continues to grow, North Carolina may become an important example of the opportunities—and challenges—that arise when public education funding reaches private Christian schools.