school choice

noun

US : a program or policy in which students are given the choice to use public funds to attend a school other than their district's public school (as at a charter school, private school, home school, or at a public school in a different district)

Voucher plans were adopted largely as a last resort, an effort to guarantee a semblance of school choice for low-income minority students in failing inner-city schools.

—Jeffrey Rosen

To be sure, even their most enthusiastic defenders acknowledge that many public schools, especially in big cities are riven with serious problems. The debate over "school choice" and tax vouchers for private schools illustrates the widespread discontent with public schools.

—Dirk Johnson

Examples of school choice in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Darrell Smith, assistant commissioner for school choice and parent empowerment, has said about 55% are in kindergarten through fifth grade, while 23% are in middle school and 22% are in high school. —Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2025

Many began seeking alternatives outside the traditional system, and policymakers—particularly in Republican-leaning states—intensified efforts to expand school choice programs. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2025

By law, Tennessee's new universal school choice program turned away over 11,100 income-qualified applicants. —Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 23 Sep. 2025

However, that hasn’t stopped Barrett from presenting himself to voters as a supporter of school choice. —Patrick Gleason, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1988, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for school choice

• rejoice
• voice