VT H0089

Parents of students in prekindergarten through grade 12 may choose any public or approved independent school in Vermont, regardless of their district of residence, with the Agency of Education maintaining a list of eligible schools.

School Choice Grants issued by the Agency of Education would fund tuition at the selected school, paid from Education Fund monies otherwise allocated to the student's home district.

Public schools must accept all students who select them unless capacity is insufficient, in which case a lottery system applies with preference for siblings; independent schools cannot decline students based on protected characteristics including race, sex, or sexual orientation.

Independent schools and out-of-state public schools may charge tuition above the School Choice Grant amount, with parents responsible for any excess costs.

Joint Fiscal Office must submit a report by January 15, 2026 with recommendations for integrating the school choice program into Vermont's education funding structure; the school choice provisions take effect August 1, 2026.