Christian education in the United States is undergoing a transformation. Rising tuition costs and financial struggles once threatened the sustainability of faith-based schools. But thanks to school choice programs and innovative funding models, more students now have access to Christian education than ever before.
In a recent episode of WISE and Otherwise, Andrew Neumann, CEO of Soaring Education Services and a leading advocate for school choice, shared his insights on the opportunities, risks, and future of funding faith-based education.
Breaking Financial Barriers to Christian Education
For decades, Christian schools relied on tuition and church support to sustain their operations. However, as costs soared and family incomes remained stagnant, many schools were forced to close.
Then came a pivotal moment: in 1998, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that state vouchers could be used for private Christian education in Milwaukee. This decision opened doors for thousands of families who previously couldn’t afford faith-based schooling.
Through Open Sky Education, Neumann helped launch some of the first Christian schools using vouchers. The impact has been remarkable:
Over 3,000 students, primarily from low-income families, now attend thriving Christian schools in Milwaukee.
More than 55,000 students statewide benefit from school vouchers.
Over 400 private and faith-based schools in Wisconsin now participate in the program.
Neumann sees this as both “the greatest opportunity and potentially the greatest threat to Christian education.”
The Promise and Risk of Public Funding
While public funding has made faith-based education accessible to more families, it also brings challenges. Neumann outlined two key risks:
Funding Stability – Schools and families that rely on state-funded vouchers could be at risk if policies change. If the funding is cut, thousands of students may lose access to Christian education.
Religious Freedom – Accepting public money raises concerns about government regulations affecting curriculum, hiring, and religious instruction.
Neumann acknowledged these risks but emphasized that through diligence and advocacy, Christian schools can maintain their faith-based identity while benefiting from public funding.
Why Churches and Christian Leaders Must Engage in Policy
Neumann urges Christian educators and church leaders to stay involved in shaping education policy. He warns against assuming that funding will always remain available without advocacy.
Homeschooling was once illegal in many states—policy changes made it possible.
Church-based learning centers and micro-schools are growing, but laws could either help or hinder them.
Even private schools that opt out of state funding are affected by broader education policies.
His message is clear: faith-based educators must actively engage in school choice policy to protect the future of Christian education.
Innovative Models: Charter Schools & After-School Faith Programs
Beyond vouchers, Open Sky Education has pioneered creative funding solutions to support faith-based learning:
Public Charter Schools – In states without private school choice laws, they launched charter schools focused on strong academics and character education, while offering separate faith-based instruction before or after school.
Match Ed – A platform helping families find curriculum, courses, and educational resources that align with their values and learning styles.
The Future of Christian Education: Customization & Choice
Education in America is shifting from one-size-fits-all schooling to customizable learning models. More families are choosing homeschooling, hybrid schools, micro-schools, and alternative education programs.
Neumann sees this as a critical moment:
Nearly 30% of students today are in educational models that didn’t exist or were illegal in 1990.
Christian families must stay engaged to ensure policies continue to support faith-based education.
“If we stand by and watch, the future could become more hostile to Christian education,” Neumann warned.
Final Thoughts: Seizing the Moment
The rise of school choice has created unprecedented opportunities for Christian education. But these opportunities come with responsibilities. Christian educators, parents, and church leaders must:
✅ Stay informed about school choice policies.
✅ Advocate for religious freedom in education.
✅ Explore funding solutions that support faith-based schools.
✅ Use available resources to provide Christian education to more families.
Neumann’s closing thought:
"This is a window that is open right now. Let’s use it to align education with faith and values. If policies change in the future, God will open new doors."
For more information on Open Sky Education and Andrew Neumann’s work, visit OpenSkyEducation.org.
This blog post was generated from the following episode of the WISE and Otherwise Podcast with Dalena Wallace. Find more at: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wiseandotherwise
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