By Ahmed Abdelsalam
Conservatives are leveraging taxpayer-funded scholarships to grow classical Christian schools across the U.S., with half of school-age children now eligible for state money to attend private schools.
Coalition aims for 5,000 new schools
The Association of Classical Christian Schools (ACCS) has formed a coalition with groups like Turning Point Education and the Heritage Foundation, aiming to convert or create 5,000 new schools serving 1.5 million students in the next decade. ACCS President David Goodwin called it a historic opportunity to access public funding.
Movement rooted in 'Battle for the American School'
ACCS frames its campaign as the "Battle for the American School," echoing a book co-written by Goodwin and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Hegseth has introduced classical education into military base schools. ACCS membership has grown by nearly 200 schools since 2019, driven by pandemic-era distrust of public education.
Classical education varies but emphasizes Western Christian culture
Classical education exists in various forms, but ACCS schools focus on reclaiming Western Christian culture, studying liberal arts and "great books" with methods drawn from ancient and medieval sources.
Founder's controversial views
ACCS founder Doug Wilson, a self-described Christian nationalist, has advocated for repealing women's voting rights. While ACCS distances itself from his fringe beliefs, Wilson still advises the board and his books are required reading in some schools.
Texas program directs $1 billion to private education
Texas launched a $1 billion program this summer allowing eligible families to use public funds for private school tuition. ACCS administrator Keith Castello said the money transforms possibilities for Christian education. His new schools in the Dallas-Fort Worth area rely heavily on Texas Education Freedom Accounts, which provide at least $10,474 per student.
Critics warn of church-state concerns
Advocates for church-state separation argue the funding violates religious freedom by forcing taxpayers to support schools that discriminate. Castello counters that private school parents still pay taxes supporting public schools, but acknowledges the line between public and private is blurring.
