BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Of the more than 5,000 public school students who applied to use Alabama’s new school choice program this year, just under half are enrolled in their school of choice.

More than 1,300 students hoped to attend a different public school using the education savings accounts created in 2024 — but none have been able to do so, according to data from the Alabama Department of Revenue.

Another 3,100 public school students applied to use ESAs at private schools, and fewer than half of them have activated their accounts.

By contrast, of the more than 10,000 private school students who were approved to use ESAs this year, nearly all – 96% – have done so.

Overall, combining all types of students – public, private, homeschool and first-time kindergarteners – 18,483 of 21,953 ESA

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