Mississippi

Mississippi offers K–12 students and their families several types of school choice, including three private school choice programs, charter schools, magnet schools, home schooling and inter-district public school choice via an open enrollment policy.

Equal Opportunity for Students with Special Needs Program

• The Equal Opportunity for Students with Special Needs Program, an education savings account program, allows Mississippi students with special needs to receive a portion of their public funding in a government-authorized savings account with multiple uses.
• Enacted 2015

Program Rules:

• • Income Limit: None 
  • Prior Year Public School Requirement: Yes, with exceptions 
  • Geographic Limit: Statewide 
  • Enrollment Cap: 3,000 
  • Budget Cap: $3 million  
  • Account amount: $5,606 (2020–21) 
  • Testing Mandates: None 
  • Additional Information: Limited to students with special needs 

Nate Rogers Scholarship for Students with Disabilities Program

• The Nate Rogers Scholarship for Students with Disabilities Program is the nation’s only voucher program designed only for students with speech-language therapy needs. Students with qualifying special needs can apply for a voucher to help them attend a private school that offers speech-language therapy.
• Enacted 2013

Program Rules:

• • Income Limit: None
  • Prior Year Public School Requirement: Yes, with exceptions 
  • Geographic Limit: Statewide
  • Enrollment Cap: None
  • Voucher Cap: $5,829
  • Testing Mandates: None
  • Additional Information: Limited to students with special needs

Mississippi Dyslexia Therapy Scholarship for Students with Dyslexia Program

• Mississippi has the nation’s only school choice program created exclusively for students with dyslexia. The program allows children with dyslexia to receive vouchers to attend accredited private and public schools that provide dyslexia therapy.
• Enacted 2012

Program Rules:

• • Income Limit: None
  • Prior Year Public School Requirement: Yes, with exceptions
  • Geographic Limit: Statewide
  • Enrollment Cap: None
  • Voucher Cap: $5,829
  • Testing Mandates: None
  • Additional Information: Limited to students with special needs

To find out more about educational choice programs in your state, please complete the below form.