School Choice-The Controversy vs The Experience

As of the 2021-2022 school year, the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) had an annual budget of approximately $1.110 billion, serving around 35,000 students. This equates to roughly $31,714 spent per pupil.

In contrast, private schools receiving approximately $6,000 per student through school choice programs operate with significantly less funding per pupil compared to public schools like those in the CMSD. This stark discrepancy highlights the financial challenges faced by private institutions participating in these programs.

Public schools often have access to multiple funding sources, including local property taxes, state aid, and federal grants, all of which contribute to their higher per-pupil expenditures. Private schools, on the other hand, rely heavily on tuition, donations, and limited voucher funds, forcing them to operate on much tighter budgets. This funding gap directly impacts educational quality, affecting teacher salaries, facility maintenance, extracurricular programs, and access to specialized resources for students with diverse needs.

As a former principal of a Pre-K–8 Catholic school in inner-city Cleveland, I have experienced these challenges firsthand. We accepted all students, regardless of their background or learning needs, and worked with limited funding to provide the necessary support for special education services. Despite our best efforts to maximize every dollar, we still faced an average deficit of nearly $5,000 per student.

Because of this shortfall, our teachers made 30–50% less than their public school counterparts—without the protection of a union. Yet, they showed up every day, going above and beyond because they believed in our mission. They weren’t just teachers; they were mentors, counselors, and advocates for students who needed them the most.

School choice is exactly what it sounds like. While there are excellent public schools, families should not be forced to send their children to a public school solely because of their financial situation. Parents deserve the right to choose the best environment for their children, whether that be public, private, charter, or homeschool. The disparities between private and public school funding should not create division but rather an opportunity for collaboration. At the end of the day, education is about serving children—not institutions.

Too many people speak on this issue without truly understanding the financial realities, and this misinformation only creates unnecessary tension. Instead of debating over funding, we should be working together to ensure all children—regardless of their ZIP code or school type—have access to a high-quality education.

For those who argue that private schools should be transparent about their academic performance, I couldn’t agree more. Transparency is the only way we can build trust and ensure that all schools, whether public or private, are held accountable for student success.

I am passionate about this issue because while the wealthy and policymakers argue, our children—especially those in underprivileged communities—are the ones suffering. The longer we remain divided, the more they fall through the cracks. We argue, and they suffer. It’s time for real solutions, real collaboration, and a collective focus on what truly matters: the well-being and future of our children.