A recent report indicates that Louisiana’s school choice program is yielding positive educational outcomes for students affected by crime, financial hardship, and parental educational backgrounds. Launched in 2025, the GATOR Scholarship Program offers families financial aid to cover private school tuition and related educational expenses. A study involving 105 families and 190 private schools revealed that even though many participating private schools are located in high-crime areas similar to their public school counterparts, students attending these schools are significantly more likely to graduate and pursue higher education.
Conducted by Studyville, the report highlighted that approximately 63.8% of surveyed families were economically disadvantaged, with over half earning less than $50,000 annually. Many of these families were single-parent households. Despite these challenges, over 85% of the families noted improvements in their child’s academic performance since joining the program.
The graduation rate at Louisiana’s public schools is around 80%, while GATOR program schools boast a remarkable 97.5% graduation rate. Furthermore, more than 81% of students from GATOR schools enrolled in college, compared to 62% from public schools. Chronic absenteeism also decreased significantly, falling from 20.8% in public schools to 6.3% in GATOR schools.
The report suggests that smaller class sizes, a greater number of college and career counselors, and more advanced course options contribute to these favorable statistics. Parents who utilized the scholarship program also became more involved with their children’s education.
According to a statement from Landry, the LA GATOR Scholarship Program simply allows students to receive an education tailored to their needs, suggesting that the positive results—happier parents, better-performing students, and reduced costs—speak for themselves.
Additionally, Studyville noted that the state spends less on scholarships ($7,220 on average per student) than it does for public school students ($9,568 each). Currently, the program serves 5,546 students, with about 40,000 applications pending.
The report pointed out that students benefiting from the program often transferred to schools within their communities, which were still located in high-crime areas. In fact, more than 60% of these schools operate in neighborhoods classified as high or very high crime areas.
In a letter to Governor Jeff Landry, Studyville clarified that the program doesn’t necessarily relocate families to safer locations but provides access to safer educational environments while helping them stay within their own communities.
Moreover, GATOR schools offer a safer atmosphere and better academic results. They report 95% fewer bullying and suspension incidents compared to public schools, attributed to factors like smaller class sizes and active parent involvement.
The report did recommend establishing uniform reporting standards for all schools, as there currently isn’t a consistent framework in place. Nevertheless, around two-thirds of parents surveyed mentioned improvements in their child’s behavior after enrolling in a GATOR school.
Amanda Martin, the founder and CEO of Studyville, emphasized the importance of evaluating how the ESA (Education Savings Account) program impacts not just academic achievements but also the overall well-being of families. She observed that safety measures were enhanced in non-public schools even in high-crime areas.
Despite critiques about accountability in school choice programs—especially regarding private schools not being mandated to conduct state standardized tests—the report highlighted that metrics like graduation rates, attendance, and college enrollment allow private institutions to remain independent while still being accountable.
The governor is now looking to increase funding for the program to accommodate the numerous applicants waiting for their chance.
