3 Reasons Why Parents Are Choosing Private and Christian Schools After COVID
How Parental Priorities, Pandemic Responses, and School Choice Are Changing Education
In Part 1, we explored the dramatic shift in American K–12 enrollment since COVID-19—highlighting how private and Christian schools are growing faster than ever.
But that leads to a deeper question: Why are families making these moves? What’s driving parents to rethink their children’s education? And how are Christian schools positioned to respond?
In Part 2, we’ll look at three key forces behind the enrollment surge: pandemic response, parental priorities, and policy change.
1. Christian and Private Schools Reopened First
Timing matters. During the height of the pandemic, public schools in many regions remained closed or remote for months on end. In contrast, Christian and private schools reopened sooner, and generally more consistently and flexibility.
According to ACSI, 84% of Christian schools returned to in-person instruction “much sooner” than nearby public schools. For families craving normalcy, structure, and community, this was a decisive moment.
And it wasn’t just about being open—it was about being responsive. Smaller school communities were able to adjust quickly, support families personally, and create safer environments without the layers of bureaucracy. That trust didn’t just last for one semester—it appears this trend has reshaped enrollment patterns long-term.
2. Parents Are Rethinking What Matters
The pandemic didn’t just disrupt routines—it reshaped values—or at least brought them front and center. Many parents got a front-row seat to their children’s education through remote learning and came away with questions:
Is this curriculum aligned with our family’s beliefs?
Are my child’s emotional and spiritual needs being met?
Is school helping form character—or just checking boxes?
As a result, a growing number of families began prioritizing smaller class sizes, Bible-based teaching, relational environments, and a stronger sense of mission—all of which Christian schools are uniquely positioned to offer.
Recent surveys from ACSI and EdChoice confirm this trend: parents are increasingly choosing schools that align with their family values, not just their zip code.
3. School Choice Has Changed the Game
In past decades, many families who desired Christian education simply couldn’t afford it. That’s changing—rapidly.
Since 2020, more than 20 states have passed or expanded school choice legislation, including universal Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), vouchers, and tax-credit scholarships. These programs allow families to use public funds to attend private schools—lowering one of the biggest barriers for low to middle-income families.
The results are visible across the country:
Florida: 398,000 → 445,000 students (+11.8%)
Arizona: 500,000 → 1,000,000 students (+100%)
Ohio: 130,000 → 220,000 students (+69.2%)
Final Thoughts: Families Are Looking for More
This enrollment shift isn’t the result of a marketing campaign—it’s likely about families searching for foundational truth and a healthy community for their children. The families walking through the doors of Christian schools aren’t just looking for smaller class sizes or test scores. They’re looking for spiritual formation—for a school that will partner with them to raise children rooted in truth, wisdom, and grace.
In Part 3, we’ll explore how Christian schools can grow with purpose—and avoid the pitfalls of expansion and enrollment growth that loses sight of mission.