Arkansas Homeschoolers Recognized as 2025 National Merit Scholar Semifinalists

Home School

Last week the National Merit Scholarship Program recognized 135 high school seniors from Arkansas as National Merit Scholarship semifinalists.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports the students will go on to compete for nearly 7,000 scholarships worth approximately $26 million.

Among the semifinalists named this year were two home schoolers: Eli Colton of Bella Vista and Charles D. Raith of Siloam Springs.

Students vying for the National Merit Scholarships apply by taking the PSAT exam in the fall of their junior year.

The Arkansas Department of Education has taken steps to increase home schoolers’ access to the PSAT.

To be named as a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist is a tremendous honor. Please join us in congratulating these two home school students on their achievement!

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More than 16K Students Apply for School Choice Funding Under LEARNS Act

Education, ,

The Arkansas Department of Education reports more than 16,000 students have applied for Education Freedom Account (EFA) funding under Arkansas’ LEARNS Act. Families can use EFA funding to help their children receive a publicly-funded education at a public or private school or at home.

Since COVID-19, enrollment in private schools and in home schooling has surged in Arkansas.

In 2023 the Arkansas Legislature passed the LEARNS Act creating Education Freedom Accounts in Arkansas. The law also prohibits critical race theory in public schools, and it protects young elementary school children from inappropriate sexual material.

Many families feel like public education has deteriorated over the years, and they don’t like the direction it is heading. For those families, EFA funding and school choice legislation like the LEARNS Act could empower them with real alternatives that will help their children succeed.

That is part of the reason Family Council supported the 2023 LEARNS Act.

The fact that the State of Arkansas has received more than 16,000 applications for EFA funding shows there is serious demand for school choice in Arkansas.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

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