School Choice in

Illinois

Illinois offers K–12 students and their families several types of school choice, including two private school choice programs, charter schools, magnet schools, home schooling and intra-district public school choice via an open enrollment policy.

Fast Facts Policy Toolkit Regulations State Groups

Private School Choice

Illinois has two private school choice programs, a tax-credit scholarship and an individual tax credit for educational expenses. These programs help families afford to send their children to participating private schools.

Public School Choice

Illinois has a limited intra-district open enrollment policy that allow some parents to transfer to traditional public schools within their district. Illinois does have magnet schools.

Charter Schools

Illinois has 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 Illinois when homeschooling their children.