Opportunity Scholarships for the 2024-25 school year range from $3,000 to $7,000, originally aimed at low-income families but now accessible to all income levels, including the wealthy.

As of 2023, over 420,000 students in North Carolina—more than 22% of K-12 students—are enrolled in private, charter, or home schools, casting uncertainty on the future of public education.

North Carolina's General Assembly has expanded private school vouchers to include all K-12 students, regardless of income, allowing families to access taxpayer-funded private education.

Critics contend that this move undermines the state's constitutional obligation to fund a uniform public school system and unfairly shifts financial burdens onto taxpayers.

This expansion occurred after a legislative override of then-Governor Roy Cooper's veto of HB 10, with supporters arguing it improves educational opportunities for all families.

The impact is especially evident in Mecklenburg County, where $40 million of taxpayer money has been allocated to private schools in just one year, raising concerns about the strain on public school funding.

This voucher expansion is contributing to an underfunding crisis in public schools, leading to larger class sizes, fewer teachers, and a statewide teacher salary crisis due to inadequate funding compared to neighboring states.

Private schools such as Carmel Christian and Charlotte Christian have seen dramatic funding increases from the voucher program, with Carmel Christian's funding soaring from $231,646 to $3.5 million, a 1,153% jump.