Arkansas spent more than $309 million through its Education Freedom Account school-choice program during the 2025-26 school year, with the 10 private schools recording the highest expenditures accounting for a combined $61,490,334.24.
The figures, attributed to the Arkansas Department of Education, show that 166 private schools participated in the program statewide during the school year.
The top 10 schools accounted for nearly 20% of the more than $309 million in reported statewide program expenditures.
Shiloh Christian School Tops List
Shiloh Christian School recorded the largest amount among participating private schools, with $10,629,130.80 in expenditures.
Little Rock Christian Academy ranked 2nd with $10,426,933.43, followed by Pulaski Academy with $7,990,487.
Central Arkansas Christian Schools ranked 4th with $6,174,029.25.
Harding Academy in Searcy ranked 5th statewide with $4,977,746.08 in expenditures associated with the program.
Episcopal Collegiate School ranked 6th with $4,780,864.
Conway Christian School ranked 7th with $4,741,288.83.
Catholic High School recorded $4,010,570.82, Providence Academy recorded $4,006,776.29 and Baptist Prep completed the top 10 with $3,752,507.74.
TOP 10 PRIVATE SCHOOL EXPENDITURES
Shiloh Christian School — $10,629,130.80
Little Rock Christian Academy — $10,426,933.43
Pulaski Academy — $7,990,487.00
Central Arkansas Christian Schools, Inc. — $6,174,029.25
Harding Academy — $4,977,746.08
Episcopal Collegiate School — $4,780,864.00
Conway Christian School — $4,741,288.83
Catholic High School — $4,010,570.82
Providence Academy — $4,006,776.29
Baptist Prep — $3,752,507.74
COMBINED TOTAL — $61,490,334.24
What Are Education Freedom Accounts?
Arkansas Education Freedom Accounts were created under the LEARNS Act as a state-supported school-choice program.
The accounts provide participating families with public funding that may be used for approved educational expenses, including private-school tuition and other eligible educational services.
Funding is allocated to participating students rather than being awarded to a school as a traditional government grant. Expenditures associated with each school generally reflect payments made through the accounts of students attending that institution.
The program was introduced in phases beginning with the 2023-24 school year. Eligibility was expanded during the 2024-25 school year before becoming available to Arkansas students statewide during the 2025-26 school year.
Education Freedom Accounts are funded at up to 90% of the state’s prior-year per-student foundation funding amount, according to the Arkansas Department of Education. Arkansas Department of Education EFA information
Statewide Participation Expanded
The 2024-25 Arkansas Education Freedom Accounts annual report showed that 166 private schools had been approved to participate as the program entered the 2025-26 school year. The report also listed an updated EFA amount of $6,994 for the 2025-26 program year. Arkansas Department of Education annual report
Supporters of Education Freedom Accounts maintain that the program gives parents more control over where and how their children are educated.
Critics have raised concerns about the amount of public funding directed toward private education and the potential financial effect on Arkansas public schools.
The figures in the supplied graphic represent gross program expenditures. They do not calculate potential savings associated with students who might otherwise have attended publicly funded schools.
The complete financial impact of the program remains the subject of continuing education and budget discussions across Arkansas.
SOURCE
Arkansas Department of Education
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