It’s unlikely that Nashville public schools will face an exodus of students because of Tennessee’s Education Savings Account Program anytime soon. In addition to Metro Schools, ESAs are open to students in Memphis-Shelby County Schools and the Achievement School District.
But, hardly anyone knows what’s going on with the controversial program that’ll be back in court on Friday.
More: Tennessee’s school voucher program is back in court Aug. 5, days before school starts
A Nashville judge lifted an injunction that put a halt to the program in July. Tennessee responded by attempting to re-up the launch of the program.
Families were given an opportunity to formally express their interest in a voucher, but the Tennessee Department of Education has not yet released an application for them to sign up.
Eligibility requirements for students:
- Be a Tennessee resident entering kindergarten through grade 12.
- Be a member of a household with an annual income for the previous year that doesn’t exceed twice the federal free lunch income guidelines.
- Have been zoned to attend a public school in Shelby County, Nashville public schools or a school that was a part of the Achievement School District on May 24, 2019.
- Were enrolled in and attended a Tennessee public school for a full school year immediately before receiving an ESA, or are eligible for the first time to enroll in a Tennessee public school.
The 39 private schools that submitted applications to accept vouchers have also yet to be approved by the state. A spokesperson for the education department told WPLN News that they’d “review all completed applications received by the deadline and notify schools of their participating status soon.”
Each student who qualifies for a school voucher for the 2022-2023 school year will receive $8,192. While vouchers may help cover tuition and fees at some private schools, many of the highest performing academy’s charge double that amount.
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