Vermont’s education spending continues to rise, despite a steady decline in student enrollment. The state spends over $24,000 per pupil, among the highest in the country, while enrollment has dropped more than 20% since the late 1990s. The trend has raised concerns about the long-term sustainability of Vermont’s education funding model.
In response, some policymakers are revisiting the idea of expanding school choice as a way to reduce costs and improve outcomes. Proposals include introducing charter schools—publicly funded but independently operated schools—and broadening access to Vermont’s existing approved independent schools, which already offer publicly funded alternatives to traditional public schools in certain towns.
How Vermont Funds School Choice
Vermont does not currently allow charter schools, making it one of only five states without them. However, it does operate a unique system of approved independent schools—private schools that are eligible to receive public tuition dollars from towns that do not operate their own schools.
Under this model, towns without a local public high school (and in some cases elementary schools) pay tuition for students to attend non-religious approved private schools, either in Vermont or out-of-state. These include well-known schools like St. Johnsbury Academy, Burr & Burton Academy, and Thetford Academy.
By contrast, charter schools—which operate in 45 states—are public schools with independent management, offering flexibility in curriculum, staffing, and budgeting. They are tuition-free, open to all students, and held accountable through performance contracts.
Are Alternative Models More Cost Effective?
Research suggests that charter schools and many independent schools operate at lower per-pupil costs than traditional public schools, while often achieving comparable or better academic outcomes.
A 2019 University of Arkansas study found that charter schools across the U.S. received about 30% less funding per student, yet delivered equal or better results, particularly in urban areas.
In Vermont, approved independent schools also appear to be more cost-effective than the public system. Their tuition rates are typically thousands of dollars lower than the state’s average public school per-pupil spending.
📊 Comparison of Vermont Education Costs
| School Type | Average Annual Per-Pupil Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Public Schools (State Average) | $24,000+ | Includes local and state education spending |
| Burr & Burton Academy | ~$19,200 | Approved independent school; tuition covered by sending towns |
| St. Johnsbury Academy | ~$17,400 | Approved independent school; serves multiple sending towns |
| Thetford Academy | ~$18,100 | Town-supported; open to public tuition students |
| U.S. Charter Schools (Avg.) | $11,000–$14,000 | National average varies by state; 20–30% less than public schools |
Data compiled from Vermont Agency of Education tuition reports, 2024 school websites, and national charter school funding research.
How Does Vermont Stack Up Nationally?
While Vermont ranks among the top states in student achievement, its per-pupil spending is also among the highest in the nation. This raises the question: Are similar or better academic outcomes possible at a lower cost?
The table below compares Vermont’s average NAEP score and per-pupil spending to other top-performing states. Several, including Massachusetts, Minnesota, Florida, and Indiana, achieve strong results while spending significantly less per student.
📊 Top NAEP-Performing States vs. Per-Pupil Spending
| State | Avg. NAEP Score | Per-Pupil Spending | Spending Rank | Efficiency Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 272 | ~$20,100 | 8th | Top scores, strong ROI |
| New Jersey | 272 | ~$25,100 | 3rd | High spending, top scores |
| Vermont | 270 | ~$24,600–$27,500 | 4th–5th | High spending, good outcomes |
| New Hampshire | 269 | ~$19,000 | ~11th | Consistent and efficient |
| Connecticut | 268 | ~$24,400 | 5th | High cost, solid performance |
| Minnesota | 266 | ~$14,900 | ~20th | Excellent ROI |
| Virginia | 265 | ~$12,200 | ~29th | Low cost, strong scores |
| Florida | 264 | ~$10,700 | ~43rd | High performance, very low cost |
| Wyoming | 263 | ~$20,000 | ~10th | Rural model, stable results |
| Indiana | 262 | ~$10,400 | ~44th | Efficient, consistent scores |
Sources: NAEP 2022 data; U.S. Census Bureau 2021 school finance data
While Vermont’s outcomes are respectable, the cost per student is significantly higher than many states delivering similar or better academic performance. This comparison has fueled discussion about whether introducing charter schools or expanding the independent school tuitioning model could provide more value per dollar.
Arguments For and Against Expanding School Choice
Potential Benefits
- Lower cost per pupil compared to traditional public schools.
- Flexibility in staffing and budgeting may reduce bureaucratic overhead.
- School choice can provide families with more options tailored to their children’s needs.
- Performance-based accountability in charter models allows for closure or reform of failing schools.
Concerns and Challenges
- Opponents worry that school choice could drain resources from already struggling public schools.
- Independent schools may have selective admissions, unlike public or charter schools.
- Vermont’s rural geography and small districts may limit the feasibility of a large charter network.
- Changes to the system would require legislative action and policy infrastructure not yet in place.
What Would Implementation Look Like?
If Vermont were to allow charter schools, policymakers would need to address:
- Who has the authority to approve and oversee new schools.
- How funds would follow students between systems.
- What academic and financial performance standards would apply.
Alternately, expanding the existing independent school model could involve:
- Increasing tuitioning access to more towns.
- Streamlining the approval process for new independent schools.
- Encouraging specialized or mission-driven models similar to charter innovations elsewhere.
What’s Next?
No major charter school legislation is currently under consideration in the Vermont General Assembly, but as education costs and property taxes continue to rise, school choice is likely to remain a part of the policy conversation.
Vermont’s existing independent school system may offer a model for gradual reform, or it could pave the way for broader school choice legislation in the future.
For now, the debate remains: How can Vermont deliver a high-quality education system that is also financially sustainable?
Dave Soulia | FYIVT
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