Parents considering private schools often encounter glossy marketing materials and ambitious mission statements, but investigative nonprofit ProPublica has found that critical information about a school's history, legal issues or financial stability can be difficult to obtain before enrollment. In a months-long investigation, ProPublica reporters used data, public records requests, court cases and interviews to examine hundreds of private schools across multiple states.
The investigation uncovered serious concerns at some institutions, including a school in Arkansas that continued operating after its founder was accused of creating what prosecutors described as a "makeshift 'Fight Club'" environment. Reporters also found instances where individuals with problematic track records in public or charter schools were able to operate or obtain employment at private schools in other states.
ProPublica's reporting highlights a fundamental difference between how public and private schools are monitored. While public schools face regular state inspections, mandatory teacher certification verification and standardized accountability measures, many states take what the outlet describes as a "hands-off approach" to private school oversight.
What the Right Is Saying
School choice advocates and conservative policy organizations argue that parental choice itself serves as the primary accountability mechanism for private schools. They contend that families who are dissatisfied can simply withdraw their children, creating market pressure for schools to maintain quality.
The American Federation for Children, a prominent school choice advocacy organization, has maintained that competition from private and charter schools improves outcomes across the education system. The group argues that regulatory burden on private schools disproportionately affects lower-income families by making it harder for new schools to open in underserved areas.
EdChoice, which produces guides on state requirements for private school operations, contends that parents already have significant tools available to evaluate schools through existing records, including accreditation status and enrollment data. The organization notes that many states have updated their oversight mechanisms as voucher programs have expanded.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic legislators and education advocacy groups have long argued for stronger oversight of private schools that accept taxpayer-funded vouchers or education savings accounts. Senator Patty Murray of Washington, who has chaired the Senate Education Committee, has repeatedly called for accountability measures ensuring that public money flowing to private institutions through voucher programs is subject to the same transparency requirements as traditional public schools.
The National Education Association and its state affiliates have pointed to ProPublica's findings as evidence supporting their position that school choice programs require robust oversight. Marc Egan, director of government relations for NEA, said in a statement that "families deserve to know whether the schools receiving public funding are actually providing safe, quality education."
Advocacy groups including the Southern Poverty Law Center have documented cases where voucher-funded private schools have operated with minimal regulatory scrutiny. The organization's Learning for Justice initiative has argued that without equivalent accountability standards, students can be placed at risk.
What the Numbers Show
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, approximately 6 million students attended private schools in the United States during the most recent academic year, representing about 10 percent of total K-12 enrollment. Private school attendance has remained relatively stable over the past decade despite growth in charter school options.
Education Department data indicates that 32 states and Washington D.C. now operate some form of private school choice program, including vouchers, education savings accounts or tax credit scholarships. These programs distributed an estimated $4 billion in public funds to participating private schools during the most recent fiscal year with available data.
A ProPublica analysis found that only 12 states require background checks for all private school employees equivalent to those mandated for public school staff. The outlet's review of teacher certification databases across eight states identified numerous instances where individuals whose certifications had been suspended or revoked in public systems were teaching at private schools, though the full national scope remains unknown.
The Bottom Line
ProPublica's investigation arrives as debates over school choice programs continue in state legislatures nationwide. The guide provides practical steps for parents to research private schools using publicly available records, including checking state education agency websites, reviewing voucher program requirements and examining court filings related to school operators.
Several states have begun reviewing their oversight mechanisms following reporting on problems at individual institutions. Parents utilizing vouchers or education savings accounts may face additional regulatory requirements depending on their state's program rules.
ProPublica has invited readers who discover information about private schools through their own research to contact the organization, noting that its investigation into the private school landscape remains ongoing.