A record 10,000 New Hampshire students have enrolled in the state’s Education Freedom Account (EFA) program for the 2025–2026 school year, the Children’s Scholarship Fund New Hampshire (CSF NH) announced Monday, marking a milestone in what supporters are calling a transformational moment for education in the Granite State.
“Every one of these 10,000 students has a story,” said Kate Baker Demers, executive director of CSF in New Hampshire. “Some are kids who finally feel safe and seen. Others are discovering a love of learning in ways they never had before. That’s the power of educational freedom.”
This is the first school year EFAs have been available to all New Hampshire families, following the passage of SB295, which eliminated income restrictions and instituted a statewide cap of 10,000 students. More than 11,000 students applied in the first month after Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed the bill into law, twice the level of last year’s participation.
“I’m proud that we expanded education opportunities in our state to help every child reach his or her full potential,” Ayotte said Monday. “We’ll continue to ensure students have the opportunity to learn in the environment that best fits their needs.”
The 10,000 enrolled students — and an additional 295 students already on a waitlist — means the enrollment cap set under this year’s expansion legislation has been met. As a result, the program will automatically expand by 25 percent next year, raising the cap to 12,500. The expansion provision is built into the law to meet growing demand from families across the state.
Education Freedom Accounts allow families to access the state portion of their child’s education funding — usually around $5,000 of the $22,000 or so per pupil spending — and use it for a wide range of educational options: private school tuition, tutoring, special education services, homeschool curriculum, etc. The goal is to help families tailor educational experiences to meet each child’s individual needs.
Natalie, a single mother and EFA participant, told CSFNH the program changed her daughter’s life.
“My daughter used to get overwhelmed in big group settings. She has anxiety,” Natalie said. “But now she’s reading above grade level and writing in cursive. It’s night and day.”
CSF NH officials say the program is particularly impactful for students who face barriers based on geography, income, or learning differences. “EFAs have transformed access to education for students who once lacked options,” Baker Demers said.
In this group of 10,000 students, CSF NH also identified returning students from economically challenged households who didn’t complete the income section of the application and were therefore underreported in the differentiated aid grant category for low-income students. “And 60 percent of the students are priority group children,” Baker Demers told NHJournal.
“This program isn’t about labels or sides. It’s about children,” said Baker Demers. “We owe them more than a system that sorts them by zip code. We owe them the freedom to thrive.”
State Rep. Joe Sweeney (R-Salem) called the news part of the GOP’s success in reforming New Hampshire education this year.
“Thanks to Gov. Ayotte and Republicans in Concord, this has been the most transformational legislative session for education in quite some time,” Sweeney said. “With universal EFAs, the Parental Bill of Rights, a bell-to-bell cell phone ban, and more, the future of education is brighter for New Hampshire students.”
Sen. Victoria Sullivan (R-Manchester), a vocal advocate of school choice, also celebrated the news.
“Reaching this milestone so quickly shows that, not only is there a huge appetite for education freedom in New Hampshire, but there is a growing need. I will continue to work to make sure every single child has the education that lifts them up, empowers them, and supports their educational and personal growth.”
And Rep. Glenn Cordelli (R-Tuftonboro), who chairs the House Education Policy and Administration Committee, says there is more to come.
“This news exceeds my expectations. I wish the best to the children who will now have a better opportunity to get the education they need and deserve. On the other hand, it demonstrates the frustrations many families feel with their public schools,” Cordelli said.
“Education freedom is a national grassroots movement and continues to grow,” Cordelli added. “Next for New Hampshire is allowing children to go to the public school of their choice and doing away with arbitrary district boundaries.”
