Due to recent changes in legislation, Texas will now have the largest school choice program in the United States, aimed at expanding options for families across the state.
Through Texas private school vouchers, parents can pay for private school tuition, homeschooling expenses, and other education services. While the program won’t be available until the 2026–2027 school year, it’s crucial to understand how much voucher funding you can receive and how to use those dollars to create the best possible learning experience for your child.
To help sort through the options, we’ll start by providing a list of factors to consider when evaluating private schools for your voucher funds:
- How the school accommodates different learning styles and needs
- The level of personalization in curriculum and teaching methods
- Social environment and support for students who may struggle socially
- Flexibility in scheduling and pacing
- Support for post-secondary planning
Then, we’ll compare several private school options, starting with our platform, Fusion Academy, offering a truly personalized one-to-one learning experience ideal for students with unique learning needs.
But first, let’s look at the Texas Private school voucher program in detail.
| With 8 campuses in Texas and a wide range of academic programs, Fusion Academy is the national leader in one-to-one personalized education — making us a top choice for Texas families. We offer college preparatory courses, honors, and AP® courses through customized one-to-one instruction or small-group classes. Our flexible, student-centered approach supports a wide range of learners — including those with IEPs — and is designed to help both neurotypical and neurodivergent students thrive socially, emotionally, and academically. Reach out to your nearest campus to learn more. |
Understanding the Texas Private School Voucher Program
In 2025, Texas enacted the largest day-one school choice program in United States history.
The $1 billion Education Savings Account (ESA) program will launch at the beginning of the 2026-27 school year, making Texas at least the 30th state to implement a program that uses public funds for private education.
This universal ESA program represents a significant shift in Texas education policy, providing families with unprecedented flexibility to customize their children’s educational experiences through state-funded accounts that can be used for private school tuition, homeschooling expenses, tutoring, and various other educational services.
Funding Structure and Payment Amounts
The Texas ESA program provides differentiated funding levels based on student needs and educational settings.
- Most participating students will receive 85% of the per-student funding that public schools receive from state and local sources, which amounts to approximately $10,330 in the first year of the program, according to estimates from the nonpartisan Legislative Budget Board.
- Students with disabilities qualify for significantly higher funding levels, receiving up to $30,000 per year under the program. This enhanced funding recognizes the additional costs associated with specialized educational services and therapies that these students may require.
- Families who choose to homeschool their children are also included in the new bill. They can receive up to $2,000 annually to support their educational expenses.
How to Get Your ESA Funds in Texas
The state comptroller, who oversees financial operations and accounting in Texas, will distribute funds directly to private schools and other approved vendors. Payments are made three times per year.
Eligibility Requirements and Student Prioritization
The Texas ESA program features universal eligibility, meaning it is open to all Pre-K–12 students in the state. This includes students currently enrolled in public schools, pre-K students enrolled in public programs, students currently enrolled in private schools, and homeschooled students.
Students must be U.S. citizens or lawfully admitted to the United States to participate in the program.
There are also prioritization systems put in place in case demand exceeds available funding. If that happens, students will be prioritized on a hierarchy:
- First priority will be given to students who are on or eligible for an Individualized Education Program (IEP).
- Second priority will then be based on family income level, with preference given to families at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.
There’s also a limit to prevent high-earning families from taking the majority of funds. ESA funding for students from households making at or above 500% of the federal poverty line cannot exceed 20% of the program’s total expenses.
Based on recent numbers, here is how the 500% federal poverty line income breaks down by family size:
- Single parent + 1 child = 2-person household ($105,750 threshold)
- Single parent + 2 children = 3-person household ($133,250 threshold)
- Two parents + 1 child = 3-person household ($133,250 threshold)
- Two parents + 2 children = 4-person household ($160,750 threshold)
Each additional person adds $27,500 to the annual threshold.
Within this higher-income category, for the first year of the program, students who attended public school in the prior school year receive priority over those already enrolled in private schools.
Approved Educational Expenses and Program Flexibility
Texas’s private school voucher program was designed to give families flexibility in how they can use the funds they’re given.
Approved expenses include:
- Tuition and fees for nonpublic schools
- Online learning programs
- Programs that train students to receive industry-based credentials
- Textbooks, instructional materials, uniforms, and educational technology, including computer hardware or software. Technology purchases are capped at 10% of ESA funds per student.
- Private tutoring by qualified tutors
- Educational therapies or services from qualified providers
- Transportation costs
The program also supports dual enrollment tuition and fees, allowing students to pursue college-level coursework while in high school.
Homeschooling and hybrid learning families can utilize ESA funds for home-based curriculum and materials, as well as for part-time enrollment in private or public schools.
Plus, Texas aims to give parents the flexibility to enroll their children in classes at multiple schools.
For example, schools can choose to offer individual classes that families can purchase using ESA funds. This provision creates opportunities for families to combine public and private educational resources according to their children’s specific needs.
What to Consider When Choosing Where to Spend Your Texas Vouchers
When evaluating how to use your Texas ESA funds, it’s important to look beyond just the cost and location of each option. The right fit for your child depends on several key factors that can make the difference between a good educational experience and a transformative one.
- Learning needs and accommodations: Every child learns differently, and the best schools recognize this. Look for programs that can adapt their teaching methods to match your child’s unique learning profile. Some students thrive with visual aids and hands-on activities, while others need auditory instruction or kinesthetic learning opportunities. The right school should be able to identify how your child learns best and adjust their approach accordingly.
- Curriculum personalization: Beyond accommodating learning needs, consider how much the school can tailor the actual curriculum to your child’s academic level and interests. Can they accelerate students who are ready for advanced work? Do they offer remediation for students who need additional support in certain subjects? The best educational programs allow students to progress at their own pace rather than forcing everyone into the same rigid timeline.
- Social environment and support: Academic achievement is important, but it’s not enough if your child’s emotional well-being is suffering. Evaluate how the school creates a supportive community, especially for students who may have difficulty with social interactions. Look for programs that actively work to build confidence, provide mentorship opportunities, and create inclusive environments where all students can develop meaningful relationships.
- Scheduling and pacing flexibility: Traditional school schedules don’t work for every family or child. Consider whether the program offers flexible scheduling options, such as part-time enrollment, online components, or non-traditional hours. This flexibility can be significant for students with special needs, those pursuing other interests like athletics or the arts, or families with unique circumstances.
- Post-secondary advising: Your child’s education should prepare them for life after graduation, whether that’s college, vocational training, or entering the workforce. Look for schools that provide dedicated college counseling, help with standardized test preparation, assist with scholarship applications, and offer guidance on career exploration. The right program will have a track record of successfully preparing students for their next steps.
With Texas ESA funds, you have the opportunity to find an educational environment that truly fits your child’s needs rather than settling for a one-size-fits-all approach. Take time to visit potential schools, ask detailed questions about these factors, and consider how each option aligns with your child’s unique learning profile and goals.
Fusion Academy Is Ideal for Texas Voucher Recipients
Fusion Academy is a private middle school and high school where you can use Texas school vouchers to pay toward a variety of programs, including:
- Full-time middle school programs and high school programs
- Classes for credit
- Tutoring programs
- Online schooling
- And more.
Unlike other private schools in Texas, Fusion Academy offers personalized, one-to-one learning.
With one-to-one learning, teachers work with one student at a time. This allows them to personalize the lesson plan toward the student’s preferences, pace, and goals.
At Fusion, we can easily accommodate most IEPs, such as extended time for testing, alternative formats for materials, and breaks during instruction.
We offer a complete range of courses to meet graduation requirements and college preparation needs:
- College Preparatory courses
- Honors courses
- AP® courses where students can earn college credit depending on test scores
- Essential courses (non-college preparatory courses that fulfill high school graduation requirements)
Additionally, we offer open enrollment, flexible scheduling, online and in-class options, as well as small–group and one-to-one classes on vibrant, community-driven campuses.
Our students participate in field trips, campus events, clubs, and volunteer in their community. Our campuses have organized food drives for local women’s shelters, created blankets for local shelters, written letters to the elderly during the holidays, and more.
Two Fusion teachers delivering care packages that students at Pembroke Pines made for a local woman’s shelter.
While each campus is unique — as campus life is driven by the students enrolled there — Fusion campuses focus on creating a diverse and welcoming environment where students can thrive academically and socially. Most of our campuses have a maximum capacity of around 100 students, giving students a vibrant, tight-knit community and social space while still letting us personalize the education and environment to each student.
If you’re interested in learning more about campus life in our Texas schools, then you can reach out to the campus closest to you:
If you’re interested in using Texas private school vouchers toward our online school, Fusion Global Academy, contact us here and we’ll help you take the first steps!
How One-to-One Education Helps Students Academically
Overall, Fusion’s 1-to-1 instruction has been shown to improve student achievement scores drastically. Fusion Academy student achievement scores grew 41% more in a school year than their peers nationally.
Our programs are transformational for all types of students, including:
- Students with learning differences: Fusion Academy has extensive experience working with students who have learning differences such as ADHD, dyslexia, and sensory processing disorder. Our teachers have the freedom to implement accommodations, including additional time on tests, breaking lectures into smaller chunks, and using specialized teaching approaches tailored to each student’s specific needs.
- Twice-exceptional students: Our specialized programs serve twice-exceptional (2e) students. These are students who are both gifted and have learning differences. These students often feel frustrated in traditional settings where their advanced thinking isn’t challenged while their learning differences aren’t properly supported. At Fusion Academy, teachers can simultaneously provide accelerated content and specialized learning strategies, allowing 2e students to excel in their areas of strength while receiving support in challenging areas.
- Students struggling with school anxiety: Fusion Academy’s supportive environment eliminates many traditional stressors that trigger anxiety, including large class sizes, social pressures, and rigid scheduling. Teachers check in with students’ emotional well-being before each class, ensuring they’re in the right mindset to learn. Students also develop confidence in a safe space where they can focus on learning without the elements that often interfere with academic progress in a traditional setting.
Campus Life: Student Clubs, Homework Cafés, and More
Fusion Academy campuses are hubs of socialization and learning. Our campuses are intentionally small, typically serving around 100 students to maintain a close-knit, supportive community. This small size also allows our faculty and administrators to provide the personalized education and experience we’re known for.
Each campus has two dedicated community areas — one for studying and schoolwork, and one for socializing.
First, each student has a scheduled time in the Homework Café. Here, whether they choose the quiet or social space, they can work alongside other students to complete schoolwork, with teachers nearby to support when needed. Because of this, students often don’t have to take any schoolwork home with them.
Second, there’s the Social Homework Café. Here, students can take a break for lunch and meet for groups, clubs, and other events. They can also work on schoolwork here if this environment is better suited to their learning needs than the Quiet Homework Café. In regard to clubs, each Fusion campus has different ones, as clubs are brought together by student interest. Some examples include running club, music club, student government, chess club, and DnD club.
Additionally, all Fusion campuses are open from 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM, allowing for flexible scheduling and a school day that accommodates each student’s unique needs and lifestyle.
Preparing Students for College and Beyond
Using Texas ESA funds at Fusion is a great way to prepare your child for college and beyond.
At Fusion, we help students build their confidence and develop executive functioning skills. But we also have dedicated programs that help prepare students for college.
First, we offer dedicated post-secondary counseling services. We have an in-house network of counselors and advisors who are experienced in helping students decide the best path for them after high school.
In 1-to-1 virtual sessions, our counselors can help with:
- Post-secondary planning
- Resume creation and building
- Course selection
- College prep timeline review
- SAT/ACT testing timeline review
- Practice SAT/ACT test support
- Help with applying for scholarships and financial aid
- Help with reviewing and completing college applications
- College admissions interview preparation
Second, students can earn Endorsements on their official transcripts. Endorsements show a student’s dedication to a specific field of study (like STEM or Business and Industry). These Endorsements can help a student’s transcript stand out when applying to college. For Texas schools, we offer Endorsements in:
- Arts and Humanities
- STEM
- STEM-Computer Science
- Business and Industry
- Multidisciplinary
How to Most Effectively Use Your ESA Funds at Fusion Academy
Understanding how voucher funding applies to private school tuition helps families plan their educational investment. Fusion Academy works with families to maximize their voucher benefits while providing transparent information about any additional costs. Our multiple program options allow families to choose the level of enrollment that best fits their needs and budget. This includes:
- Full-time middle school and high school enrollment
- Part-time enrollment for students who want to supplement their current school with Fusion classes
- Classes for credit to make up a grade or get ahead in specific subjects
- Private tutoring and mentoring in various subjects
- Summer academic programs
- Math and Reading Intervention Programs
For more information, you can:
- View our academic programs
- View our course catalog
- Reach out for more personalized information
Next Steps for Texas Families Considering Private School Vouchers
With implementation still a bit away, families have time to research their options thoroughly and make informed decisions. Start by identifying your child’s specific needs and learning style, then research schools that specialize in serving students with similar profiles. Consider scheduling tours now to understand your options and begin building relationships with potential schools.
If you’re looking for the best school for your child, you can consult our list of the best private schools in Texas. We cover Fusion Academy, as well as:
- St. Mark’s School of Texas
- St. Stephen’s Episcopal School
- The Hockaday School
- St. John’s School
- Greenhill School
- And more
Finally, please keep in mind that this is an ongoing program with new updates on the horizon. We will work to keep this post updated with helpful information, but you can also check the Texas Comptroller site for any new updates.
And as always, you can connect with us at any time to learn more about Fusion Academy!
