DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – The Iowa Department of Education released the latest enrollment numbers showing public schools continue to lose students while private schools gain enrollment across the state. Public school and public charter enrollment dropped about 1.5 percent from last year, while private school enrollment increased about 6.5 percent.

The uptick at private schools in recent years comes as Iowa launched its education savings account program in 2023, which pays qualified private school expenses, like tuition. These vouchers pay private schools up to about $8,000 per student this school year. This is the first year where all students qualify for ESAs.

About 98 percent of private school students used an education savings account voucher this year, the first year the program opened to any student in kindergarten through 12th grade regardless of income.