Texas school vouchers boost demand at Catholic schools
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Catholic schools across the Archdiocese of San Antonio are seeing increased interest from families as Texas' voucher program gets underway — but funding doesn't mean unlimited seats.
Why it matters: The new Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) could reshape who can afford private schooling, but access ultimately depends on school capacity.
Zoom out: State officials report more than 130,000 TEFA applications were submitted statewide since the window opened Feb. 4.
By the numbers: All 35 Catholic campuses in the San Antonio archdiocese are participating in the voucher program.
- Together, they now serve about 9,000 students, with an average 15-to-1 student-teacher ratio.
Zoom in: Archdiocese recruitment and outreach manager Liliana Gutierrez tells Axios principals are seeing increased inquiries and some schools are reaching capacity in specific grades months ahead of the norm.
- "Unfortunately, we're not going to be able to accept everybody with a voucher. We need to make sure that we're growing at a pace that everyone's comfortable with," Gutierrez says. "We don't anticipate to have 30 students in each classroom next year, but there will be some growth."
- Applying for TEFA does not guarantee admission. Families must still complete each school's admissions process and are encouraged to stay in close contact with admissions teams while awaiting award decisions.
Between the lines: There are no new archdiocese-wide caps tied to TEFA. Enrollment decisions remain campus-based, guided by classroom space and staffing, Gutierrez says.
How it works: The Texas Education Agency set the 2026–27 voucher amount at $10,474 per student, which is 85% of the statewide average public school funding per child.
- For most K–8 students in the Archdiocese of San Antonio, vouchers are expected to cover full tuition. At the high school level, the vouchers cover most — but not all — tuition costs, Gutierrez says.
What they're saying: Gutierrez says the goal is to be "able to serve a more diverse range of families without losing who we are."
- The voucher program comes with financial and academic oversight, but Gutierrez stressed that "we have full autonomy over our schools, still, over admissions, over everything."
The other side: The Texas State Teachers Association has criticized the program as costly and discriminatory, arguing it diverts taxpayer dollars from public schools.
What's next: TEFA applications close March 17. Award decisions will be sent in early April.