What Is School Choice — And Why Does It Matter in North Carolina?
Discover why school choice matters in North Carolina and how programs like Opportunity Scholarship and ESA+ empower families to find the best education for their children. Learn about different schooling options including public, charter, private, and homeschool, and why education tailored to each child’s needs is essential.
School choice isn’t just a policy. It’s a philosophy grounded in the belief that families, not institutions, should have the power to direct their children’s education. But where did this idea come from, and why does it matter today more than ever?
At the heart of school choice is the principle that education is a deeply personal journey — one that should reflect a child’s needs, interests, and learning style. Government-assigned schools may work for some, but one-size-fits-all education has never worked for everyone. That’s why advocates believe parents deserve access to all options: traditional public, public charter, private, virtual, microschool, or homeschool.
In North Carolina, these options are becoming more accessible through programs like the Opportunity Scholarship and ESA+. Empowering families with choice doesn’t weaken public education. It strengthens it through innovation and accountability. School choice is ultimately about fairness: every child, regardless of ZIP code or income, deserves access to a great education.