A new state law in Alabama is changing the educational landscape, allowing public funds to be used for private schooling. Peach City Academy in Clanton is one of at least a dozen new private schools that have opened since the CHOOSE Act was established, highlighting a growing national trend and sparking debate over accountability and the future of public education.
For families in rural Chilton County, the program provides new options. For critics, it raises significant questions about oversight and the use of taxpayer dollars.
Key Takeaways
- Alabama's CHOOSE Act allows families to use public funds for private school tuition and other educational expenses.
- Peach City Academy, a new private Christian school in Clanton, is one of several new institutions founded since the act's creation.
- The school choice movement is gaining momentum nationwide, but faces criticism over lack of oversight and its potential impact on public school funding.
- Peach City Academy's founder says the program empowers parents in a low-income rural county, while experts worry about transparency.
A New Educational Option in Chilton County
In the small town of Clanton, Alabama, Peach City Academy has opened its doors, welcoming 66 students this fall. The school, founded by the Peach City Fellowship church, represents a direct result of the state's new school choice legislation.
Many of its students, like junior Molly Hand, transferred from other local schools. Hand, who plans to study law, said her family did not hesitate to make the change. "It just is a much better environment for all of us," she explained. "It just feels like a lot of freedom."
This sentiment is shared by her peers. "We relate to each other a lot better," said junior Olivia Hubbard. "It’s more like family."
What is the CHOOSE Act?
The Creating Hope and Opportunity for Our Students’ Education (CHOOSE) Act is an Alabama state program that provides families with education savings accounts. These accounts can be used to pay for private school tuition, tutoring, textbooks, and other approved educational expenses. In its initial years, the program prioritizes low- to middle-income families and students with disabilities.
For many families, the financial assistance from the state is critical. Molly Hand and her two brothers attend Peach City Academy at no cost to their family, thanks to credits from the CHOOSE Act. "It’s been very helpful for my family," Hand said. "Having three of us in private school is a lot."
The Role of State Funding in Private Education
Peach City Academy's principal and founder, Charlotte Johnson, sees the CHOOSE Act as a transformative force for her community. Chilton County is a rural area where the median household income is approximately $60,000.
"That CHOOSE Act changed our world," Johnson stated. "We’re in a very rural, poor county. The people who come here, it’s a sacrifice for them. And as a result, we need to provide the best quality education that we possibly can."
Johnson, a veteran educator who previously worked in other local schools, said the goal is to empower parents with choices about how their tax dollars are spent on their children's education. The school charges around $500 per month for tuition, a cost now offset for eligible families by the state program.
The school's model focuses on developing well-rounded students. Johnson aims to cultivate "Renaissance people" who can participate in diverse activities like archery, sports, and yearbook. The school operates on a four-day week, with Mondays reserved for tutoring and extra help.
National Debate and Concerns Over Oversight
The rise of schools like Peach City is part of a broader "parental choice" movement spreading across the United States. Similar voucher-like programs have been implemented in states like Tennessee and Texas, receiving support from national political figures.
However, this movement is not without its critics. Experts raise concerns about the lack of public oversight when taxpayer money is funneled into private institutions.
Jameson Brewer, an assistant professor at the University of North Georgia who studies these programs, highlighted the accountability issue. "Now you have public funds going directly to these private schools where the taxpayer really doesn’t have any insight into the type of curriculum that is being used, and they certainly have no oversight, because this is now private space," he said.
Additional concerns include:
- Financial Stability: Experts warn that many new microschools may lack the financial foundation to operate long-term.
- Impact on Public Schools: Public school administrators worry that diverting funds and students will further strain already under-resourced districts.
- Inclusivity: The majority of private schools participating in these programs are religious and often require families to agree with specific doctrinal statements, raising questions about equitable access.
Building a School from Scratch
The journey to open Peach City Academy was rapid. In just three months, Johnson and her team transformed a wing of the Peach City Fellowship church into a functioning school. They hired 17 teachers, began the accreditation process, and got the building up to code.
Community involvement was essential. Parents contributed labor, with one father using his auto body skills to paint the school's new lockers. "The whole community came out, the church came out, the people who wanted their kids here came out," Johnson said. "They’re still doing it."
The school is still a work in progress. The gym is slated for upgrades, including air conditioning and a working scoreboard, and the library awaits the arrival of over 4,000 books. Johnson has applied for numerous grants to fund these projects.
Curriculum and Academic Approach
Peach City Academy uses faith-based curricula from established Christian education providers like Bob Jones University and Abeka. For subjects where they lack a specialized teacher, such as upper-level science, the school partners with Troy University for online courses.
Johnson acknowledges that students arrive with varied academic backgrounds, with some needing fundamental help in subjects like mathematics. To address this, the school recently held a 90-minute math camp to reinforce multiplication skills.
To ensure academic accountability, Johnson plans to use standardized tests, including the IOWA assessment and the ACT, to measure student progress. "There has to be accountability. There has to be," she insisted. "You can’t just be fooling around."
A Different Kind of Classroom
Despite being a religious institution, the school's leaders say they do not shy away from complex topics. In her high school English class, Johnson led a discussion on "The Yellow Wallpaper," a 19th-century story that explores themes of mental illness, domestic abuse, and feminism.
She prompted students to think critically about the historical roles of women. While the school's doctrinal statement requires families to affirm traditional gender roles, Johnson encouraged students in her classroom to question those norms. "What if that’s not your calling? What if you don’t get fulfilled by that? What if that’s not what God wants for you?" she asked the class.
This approach, Johnson believes, is crucial for preparing students for the real world. "They need to talk about these things," she said after the class. "We have to do it all. We’re not in a vacuum."