Iowa’s education landscape continues to diversify as families make use of the growing range of options available to them—from ESAs and STO scholarships to homeschooling, open enrollment, and a small but expanding charter sector. Here’s a quick look at the latest numbers shaping school choice across the state
Education Savings Accounts (ESAs): 2025–26 Growth
Iowa families continue to show strong interest in the Students First ESA program.
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45,328 applications were submitted for the 2025–26 school year.
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43,784 applications were approved, according to early-July data.
Demand continues to climb as the program reaches full eligibility for all K–12 students.
School Tuition Organization (STO) Scholarships
Iowa’s long-running STO program remains an essential lifeline for thousands of families seeking faith-based and independent education options.
- In the most recent published year (2022-2023), 10,239 scholarships were awarded statewide.
- The program operates under a $20 million annual cap.
Even as ESAs expand access, STOs continue to support many families who rely on need-based tuition assistance.
Homeschooling is growing fast
Iowa does not report comprehensive counts for home education under Competent Private Instruction and Independent Private Instruction, but an analysis by John Hopkins University gives us an idea.
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This research-aligned estimate suggests roughly 5% of Iowa’s K–12 population homeschools—a notable increase from pre-pandemic levels.
Homeschool participation remains one of Iowa’s fastest-growing educational sectors.
Open Enrollment: Public-to-Public Choice
Open enrollment is a major driver of public school choice in Iowa.
- In the most recent statewide release (in January), more than 43,000 public school students open enrolled into a district other than their own, representing about 9 percent of the total 2024 public school district certified enrollment.
- For many families, the ability to choose another public school that better fits their child’s needs is an essential part of Iowa’s educational landscape.
Public Charter Schools: Small but Expanding
Iowa’s charter sector is still relatively new but experiencing notable growth.
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A total of 15 new charter schools have been approved since the charter school law changed in 2021. Before the law, there were only two public charter schools in the state.
- From 2022-2023 to 2023-2024 school years, charter school enrollment increased 68 percent from 257 to 433 students. With new charter schools opening this school year that number will jump again.
The Bottom Line
Whether through ESAs, STOs, homeschooling, open enrollment, or charters, Iowa families are embracing educational choice at unprecedented levels. The numbers show a clear trend: parents want options – and they are using them.