New initiative aims to add thousands of private school seats across NC in next year

Since the N.C. General Assembly increased funding for vouchers through the Opportunity Scholarship program in North Carolina, many have predicted an increase in the number of private schools across the state.

So far, EdNC has reported that market share — across traditional public, public charters, private schools, and homeschools — is holding steady.

This week, Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina (PEFNC) announced the launch of EduBuilder, an initiative designed to help what it calls “edupreneurs” start and expand private schools in North Carolina.

The initiative aims to “add thousands of private school seats across the state in the coming year,” according to a press release.

EduBuilder says it will provide resources, strategic guidance, and advocacy to school leaders.

Currently, according to the most recent annual report, there are 930 private schools across the state, including 603 religious schools and 327 independent schools. That number is up from 881 private schools statewide in 2023-24, growth that is consistent with historical trends.

This map shows by county how many students were enrolled in private schools in 2024-25.

Eleven counties didn’t have a private school in 2024-25, including Alleghany, Ashe, Camden, Caswell, Gates, Graham, Jones, Martin, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington counties.

Here is how the number of private schools grew in North Carolina between 1994-95 and 2024-25. You can see the data along with the growth in the number of students here.

In North Carolina, private schools are required to register with the N.C. Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE). Here is what is required to register:

According to statute, here is a look at how the fiscal year appropriations for the Opportunity Scholarship Grant Fund Reserve have grown and will grow between 2017-18 and 2031-32, thus incenting the establishment of more private schools.

According to the N.C. State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA), “Once a school is registered with DNPE, the school may apply through NCSEAA to receive Opportunity Scholarship and Education Student Accounts (ESA+) program funding. Registration with each agency is separate and registration with DNPE does not automatically guarantee registration with NCSEAA.”

Registration with NCSEAA includes submitting a new school sign up request, a background check, and the submission of documents. Once registered, the private school is listed as a “direct payment school” by NCSEAA. Here is the current list of those schools for 2025-26.

New school registration will open in February 2026 for the 2026-27 school year. Schools must submit a new school signup request no later than June 15, and the final day for schools to submit their registration documents is June 30.