Dear PDS Families,
On Tuesday, the Board of Trustees approved a resolution to participate in the Tennessee Education Freedom Scholarship (EFS) Voucher Program for the 2025–2026 school year. This program has the potential to impact many of our families in a meaningful way.
The program, administered by the state, provides financial assistance to eligible families through vouchers that can be applied toward tuition at participating private schools. Becoming an EFS partner does not affect our ongoing commitment to excellence in academics, character development, and faith formation. School leadership and the Board of Trustees will continue to evaluate this program and PDS’ participation as is appropriate.
In addition to participating in the EFS program, PDS will continue to offer variable tuition, which helps to support boys and families. PDS will also continue to participate in the Tennessee Education Savings Account (ESA) program.
Important Details
- The EFS program is managed by the Tennessee Department of Education. PDS has no input on who does and does not receive these funds.
- The proposed voucher amount for 2025–2026 is $7,295 per student.
- Families with rising Senior Kindergarten through 6th Grade boys will be eligible to apply.
- For the 2025–2026 school year, 10,000 vouchers will be available for eligible students who meet certain household income limits, and 10,000 will be available for eligible students, regardless of household income.
- Scholarships will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis based on when the Department receives a completed application.
- The EFS application portal is expected to open in May, and the department will announce the program’s launch date in the coming weeks. Here is a checklist of how to apply.
More information is available via the Tennessee Department of Education website. You can also sign up to receive regular updates about the EFS Voucher Program from the State of Tennessee. For questions, email EFS.Questions@tn.gov. If you have additional questions in relation to PDS’ involvement in the program, email our Director of Admission, Rachel Bishop (rbishop@pdsmemphis.org).
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