Private School Choice Has Presidential Roots

Calvin Coolidge served as U.S.
president from 1923-1929.

School choice is a hot topic of conversation these days with legislators and education leaders across the country debating new policies to expand educational options for families.  Despite its recent and growing attention, school choice and private school scholarships are no new phenomena.  In fact, according to the Heritage Foundation, the nation’s first private school choice program began back in 1869!  What is even more interesting is our nation’s 30^th president, Calvin Coolidge, received a voucher to attend St. Johnsbury Academy. 

The Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice says that many small towns in Vermont do not have the resources to operate their own high schools, so the town pays for students to attend public schools or non-religious private schools in other towns. 

Today, private school choice programs are helping nearly a quarter of a million students receive a quality education they deserve.  Check out our 2013 School Choice Yearbook to see how private school programs are helping students in 16 states and Washington, D.C. attend the school of their choice!

-American Federation for Children | Alliance for School Choice, KMS