School Choice in

North Carolina

North Carolina offers K–12 students and their families several types of school choice, including three private school choice programs, charter schools, magnet schools and home schooling. North Carolina does not have any type of open enrollment that would allow students to attend schools outside their zoned schools.

Fast Facts Policy Toolkit Regulations State Groups

Private School Choice

North Carolina has three private school choice programs, two school vouchers and an education savings account. These programs help families send their children to participating private schools.

Public School Choice

North Carolina is one of the few states that has no open enrollment policies, which would allow students to transfer to traditional public schools outside their zoned school. North Carolina does have many magnet schools.

Charter Schools

North Carolina has a number of charter schools. Charter schools are publicly funded schools that are free of many of the regulations that restrict traditional public schools.

Homeschool

Parents have to follow certain laws in North Carolina when homeschooling their children.