In many communities — particularly urban areas — private and religious schools have historically played an important role in delivering quality education to poor and working-class children. Changes in enrollment, demographics, human capital, and other education policies have created new opportunities and challenges for private schools, however.

Bellwether has substantial experience with the private school sector, particularly inner-city schools serving low-income students. Our work seeks to build the knowledge base on private schools, support the sector in responding to an evolving landscape, and develop policy and practice solutions to help underserved children access high-quality private schools. We conduct research and analysis to understand the types of private school choice policies that exist; the policy, governance, and other conditions that foster the preservation and growth of high-quality private schools; and the impact of these programs on students and schools. Our work in this area includes research and support related to financial sustainability, public scholarship and tax credit programs, school networks, human capital, and school performance. We also advise school leaders transitioning from private schools to public charter schools and help philanthropists chart a course in giving to the private school sector.

The content below reflects our work on this issue: