DES MOINES, Iowa — Empigo Academy, a Christian-based non-public high school has opened in Des Moines with 95% of its tuition funding coming from the state's Education Savings Account (ESA) program.
The school held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday morning for parents to hear from educational leaders.
"This opportunity is a result of education freedom, and making that possible for everyone to make that choice for their child," said Lydia Quick, with Iowa Association of Christian Schools.
Gov. Kim Reynolds has commended the ESA program for over a year, something that provides families with government funding for education expenses (like tuition) at accredited non-public schools.
“Governor Reynolds believes education is the great equalizer in child development, which is why she sees the importance in making all learning options available to all students," said Mason Mauro, a spokesperson for Gov. Reynolds' office. "Financial barriers shouldn’t prohibit parents from enrolling their children in schools where they learn best. The Student First Education Savings Account program knocks down these walls to fair access and gives Iowa students the choice between a public or private education without the worry of cost.”
"Passing the bill that allows for school choice has been absolutely incredible for us," Empigo Academy's head of school Jenson 'Fig' Newton told Local 5 News. "Honestly we would not be able to open our doors if it was not for that."
Empigo Academy enrolls ninth through 12th-graders and currently has 15 students. Like public schools, it teaches all core curriculums like English, science and math, but also takes electives and branches them out based on students' needs and career desires, like cosmetology and trade.
The school also teaches its students about entrepreneurship and financial literacy, which are key values and educational principles Newton hopes will translate into growing the city's next leaders.
Iowa State Education Association President Joshua Brown sent Local 5 News the following statement regarding ESAs:
“Public money should be used for the public good. Iowa’s public schools serve 90% of Iowa’s student population and must admit every student who walks through their doors. Governor Reynolds’ private voucher program will use more than one billion taxpayer dollars over the next four years to pay for less than 10% of Iowa’s student population to attend exclusive, religious, and private schools that can turn any student they do not want away. These private schools have no public oversight, are governed by private boards, and have no directive to teach Iowa education standards. It is wrong to expect the public to pay for personal and private services with no public accountability."