Houston County, Ala. (WDNews) — Families interested in enrolling their children in Houston County Schools through the CHOOSE Act program have until March 16, 2026, to submit an application.
Houston County Schools announced the district is now a qualified provider under Alabama’s CHOOSE Act and will accept a limited number of tuition students for the 2026–2027 school year under established guidelines.
District officials say the program will allow select non-resident students to enroll, but the process will remain controlled and selective. Administrators emphasized the program does not mean open enrollment or unlimited expansion. The district is not required to accept all applicants and will only admit students who meet specific qualifications.
Students applying must meet standards related to attendance, academic performance, discipline history and other school-related factors where applicable. Those accepted into the district will be expected to meet the same academic and behavioral expectations as current Houston County students. Continued enrollment will depend on maintaining those standards.
Families who qualify for CHOOSE Act funding may use those funds toward enrollment. Families who do not qualify may still apply and pay tuition out of pocket if accepted.
Tuition for the 2026–2027 school year is set at $2,000 for the first child, $1,500 for the second child and $1,000 for each additional child in the same household.
District leaders say enrollment decisions will be based on available space at each campus. In recent years, Houston County Schools has expanded and improved facilities across the district, removing portable classrooms at most schools and creating additional classroom space.
Officials say the goal is to maintain balanced class sizes while also strengthening the district’s long-term financial stability. Additional tuition students will help support funding for teacher units and maintain strong instructional staffing without overcrowding classrooms.
District leaders say the plan represents intentional and controlled growth designed to protect the quality of education while expanding opportunities.
To apply, families must complete the Non-Resident Student Application by March 16, 2026. Applications must include attendance records, academic transcripts, discipline records and testing documentation. Houston County Schools will not request records from other schools on behalf of applicants.
Parents will be notified of their application status beginning April 10, 2026.
Applications can be found by visiting www.hcboe.us, selecting Enrollment, and scrolling to 2026–2027 HCS Non-Resident Student Application / CHOOSE Act.
