Texas Education Freedom Accounts: How to Compare Schools

Texas’s new Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program has created unprecedented opportunity for families to choose the school that best fits their child’s needs. With over 244,000 families applying for accounts and only around 90,000 able to be funded in 2026, making the right school choice decision is more important than ever.

This guide will walk you through how to systematically compare public, private, and charter schools using both data-driven tools and personal research to find the best fit for your family.

Understanding TEFA and Your Options

The Education Freedom Accounts program allows eligible Texas families to transfer K-12 per-pupil funding to approved education providers, including:

Public schools — traditional neighborhood schools and open-enrollment transfer options
Private schools — religious and non-religious private institutions
Charter schools — publicly funded but independently operated schools
Education providers — tutoring, online programs, and specialized services

The key advantage of TEFA is flexibility: you’re no longer limited to your assigned neighborhood school. You can choose based on academics, values, teaching philosophy, or specialized programs.

Step 1: Define Your Priorities

Before diving into data, clarify what matters most for your family:

Academic rigor — standardized test scores, college prep, STEM focus?
Teaching philosophy — traditional, Montessori, project-based, faith-based?
Special needs — gifted/talented programs, special education services, language support?
Extracurriculars — sports, arts, music, robotics, debate?
Logistics — location, transportation, before/after school care?
Values alignment — religious affiliation, diversity, community involvement?
Class sizes — does your child thrive in small groups or larger settings?

Write down your top 3-5 priorities. These will guide your research and help you filter through options without getting overwhelmed.

Step 2: Use Data to Build Your Shortlist

Start with MySchoolScout’s school ratings and comparison tools to identify schools that meet your academic criteria.

For public schools and established charter schools, our Texas school rankings show:

MySchoolScout Composite Score — our quality rating built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academics, and environment, plus college readiness for high schools
Test score data — math and reading proficiency from state assessments
Student-teacher ratios — class size and staffing levels
Demographic information — enrollment numbers, student composition, free/reduced lunch participation

Use these metrics to narrow your list to 5-10 schools that score well academically and align with your stated priorities.

For less-established charter and private schools, our data may be limited, so you’ll need to supplement with:

School websites and marketing materials
Parent reviews on independent sites
Local Facebook parent groups and online forums
Phone calls to school admissions offices asking about their academic performance, curriculum, and philosophy

Step 3: Compare Schools Head-to-Head

Once you have a shortlist of 4-6 schools, use MySchoolScout’s school search tool to see side-by-side data:

Test scores in math and reading — how do they compare to district and state averages?
Growth metrics — are students making progress year-to-year, or plateauing?
Demographic breakdown — what’s the socioeconomic diversity? English language learner population? Student with disabilities?
Student-teacher ratios — smaller classes generally allow more individual attention

Pay special attention to whether a school’s strengths align with your child’s needs. A school ranked #1 statewide might not be the best fit if it specializes in STEM and your child loves music, or if it has a rigid discipline approach and your child needs flexibility.

Step 4: Dig Deeper With Qualitative Research

Data tells you part of the story, but not all of it. Here’s what to research for your top 3 choices:

School culture and philosophy:

Read the school’s mission statement. Does it resonate with your values?
Look at the principal’s leadership background. Have they been there long term or are they new?
Search local news for any significant events — positive achievements or problems?
Check state accountability ratings and any disciplinary issues

Parent and teacher feedback:

Join local Texas parent Facebook groups and ask about specific schools
Look for parent-run blogs or websites reviewing local schools
Read teacher reviews on Glassdoor (though take these with a grain of salt — reviews are often from extreme cases)
Ask the school for parent references you can contact

Educational approach:

Request information about curriculum choices, pacing, and flexibility
Ask about teacher qualifications and professional development
Understand their approach to homework, testing, and standardized assessments
Learn about special programs (gifted/talented, special education, ESL, etc.)

Practical logistics:

Confirm transportation options and costs
Understand the enrollment timeline and any application requirements
Ask about before/after school programs and their cost
Check uniform or dress code policies if relevant

Step 5: Visit Your Top Choices

Nothing replaces an in-person visit. Schedule tours of your top 2-3 schools and observe:

Teacher-student interactions — are teachers engaged and patient? Do students look happy?
Physical environment — is the building clean and well-maintained? Are bulletin boards current?
Student work on display — what are students creating and learning?
Safety and security — orderly transitions, clear procedures, welcoming environment?
Diversity of students — does the population reflect your values around inclusion?

During tours, ask the admissions staff these questions:

What makes your school different from others?
How do you support students who are struggling academically?
What’s your approach to student discipline?
What percentage of your students take standardized tests?
Where do your graduates go to college (if applicable)?

Step 6: Make Your Decision

After gathering data and visiting schools, sit down with your family and discuss:

Which school best matches our stated priorities?
Would our child be happy and thrive here?
Do we feel confident in the academic program?
Can we realistically support the logistics (transportation, timing, involvement)?
Does our gut tell us this is the right fit?

Trust the data, but also trust your instinct. Parents often know their children best.

TEFA Funding Logistics

Remember that TEFA accounts have limitations:

Funding amount varies by family income and approved provider type
Not all private schools accept TEFA — you’ll need to confirm your school of choice participates
Transportation typically isn’t funded — families are responsible for getting students to school
Spending is restricted — accounts can only be used for approved education services
Rollover varies — check whether unused funds carry to the next year

Review the specific terms of your TEFA award before making your final decision.

Getting Started

Start your search on MySchoolScout’s Texas school directory. Browse schools by city, district, or use our search tool to filter by rating, location, or specific criteria.

For more specific cities and regions, try:

The TEFA opportunity is real, but it requires homework. Taking time now to research and compare schools thoughtfully will pay dividends for your child’s entire education.

Good luck with your school search!

Related guides: