Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina

08/21/2026

A proposed amendment to the 2027 National Defense Authorization Act would have created a pilot program providing military families with financial assistance for private school, public charter school, homeschool and other educational options. The measure received 214 votes but fell just three votes short of passage.

The North Carolina connection? The amendment was introduced by Addison McDowell for Congress of North Carolina.

With frequent moves and deployments disrupting children’s education, military families deserve greater flexibility and support. We hope Congress will continue working to make educational freedom available to those who serve.

Read more:

If you choose to serve in the U.S. military, you should also be able to choose the best education for your children. Today, nearly 22 million children, or 40 percent of all K-12 students in the U.S., have access to some form of school choice. Why shouldn’t military families enjoy the same freedom ...

08/20/2026

Thank you to Arlington Christian Academy for inviting us to your Back to School Open House! What a great way to help families explore what the Opportunity Scholarship and ESA+ can mean for their children!

08/20/2026

Meet Keisha, our amazing Parent Liaison! 💙

Since joining the team in 2022, Keisha has been a trusted resource for parents and families, helping them find answers, navigate the scholarship process, and feel supported every step of the way.

We’re grateful for the care, knowledge, and dedication she brings to our team and the families we serve. Help us show Keisha some love in the comments! 👏🏾✨

08/20/2026

08/19/2026

Spoiler alert: Families are not searching for one universally "right" kind of school. They want options that allow them to find the learning environment where their individual child can feel safe, receive the right support, and thrive.

When policymakers and educators listen to what parents are telling them, every type of school has an opportunity to serve families better.

In the 14th edition of the Schooling in America survey, EdChoice researchers asked questions about what motivates parents to choose the schools they do for their children. What factors determine where parents send their children to learn?
https://www.realcleareducation.com/articles/2026/08/17/why_do_families_switch_schools_1200888.html

08/17/2026

School choice can flourish within public education, too. 🎉 Cabarrus County Schools has opened its first microschool - and North Carolina’s first at the high school level. The Healthcare Innovation Microschool will give students a smaller, more personalized learning environment while connecting classroom instruction with real-world experiences in healthcare, technology and artificial intelligence.

Through the district’s Program Choice initiative, families can pursue specialized learning opportunities beyond their assigned schools, and students can find an educational setting that better matches their interests and goals.

This is public school choice at its best: educators embracing new models, communities expanding what is possible, and students gaining more ways to learn, grow and prepare for the future.

READ MORE:

“It won’t just be within the four walls of their school, but they’ll actually be going out into the community,” said Sarah Reeves, chief academic officer for Cabarrus County Schools.

08/17/2026

North Carolina continues to lead the way in expanding educational opportunities for families! 🎉

The 2026 National Charter School Law Rankings place North Carolina No. 7 in the nation — up two spots from last year. The state earned especially high marks for supporting charter school growth, innovation and teacher freedom.

With record enrollment and the fourth-fastest charter enrollment growth in the country, it’s clear that North Carolina families value having more public school options. This recognition reflects years of policies that allow public charter schools to grow, innovate and meet the diverse needs of students.

There is still work to do, particularly around facilities funding, but North Carolina’s progress is worth celebrating!

READ MORE:

North Carolina ranks seventh best in the nation for charter school laws, an improvement of two spots from last year’s rankings, the 2026 National Charter School Law Rankings and Scorecard

08/16/2026

🎉 Happy Birthday, Va’Nese! 🎉

Today, we’re celebrating an incredible member of the PEFNC family! 💙

Since 2022, Va’Nese has served as an outstanding Parent Liaison, building meaningful relationships with families, offering support, and helping parents feel informed, connected, and empowered.

Va’Nese, your dedication to the families we serve and the heart you bring to this work do not go unnoticed. We are so grateful to have you on our team!

Please join us in wishing Va’Nese a very Happy Birthday! 🥳🎂🎈 We hope your day is filled with all the joy you bring to those around you.

08/14/2026

🚨 Deadline today!

The 2026–27 Opportunity Scholarship application for new students closes at 5 PM TODAY.

If your family plans to apply, don’t wait! Complete and submit your application before the deadline. Questions or need help? Let us know!

Learn more and apply: https://k12.ncseaa.edu/opportunity-scholarship/

08/13/2026

Two North Carolina schools are among the nation’s most innovative! 🎉

Cornerstone Christian Academy in Statesville and Creative Minds Microschool in Wendell have been named 2026 Yass Prize Contenders, placing them among just 26 education innovators nationwide competing for the $1 million Yass Prize.

🎯 Cornerstone Christian Academy is being recognized for helping students who have struggled in traditional classrooms thrive through highly individualized instruction and expanded college and career pathways.

💡 Creative Minds Microschool is being recognized for its innovative learning model and state-recognized teacher apprenticeship program, which prepares future educators through hands-on experience, mentorship and coaching.

What happens next? Both schools will participate in the Yass Prize Miami Accelerator in September, where they will work with experts to strengthen their models and prepare to pitch for the $1 million prize. The 2026 Yass Prize winner will be announced October 6 at the Power of Innovation Summit in Philadelphia.

Congratulations to these two remarkable North Carolina schools! We’ll be cheering them on as they represent our state on the national stage.

Learn more:

Live from Forbes on Fifth in New York City, the Yass Prize contenders were revealed in a special livestream event. These contenders will now have the opportunity to pitch at the Yass Prize Miami Accelerator, making the case for why they should receive the $1 million Yass Prize.