Enrollment in D.C. school voucher program surges

More than 1,600 low-income students have enrolled in District private schools using a federally funded voucher program this year, a 60 percent increase over last year.

This school year was the first that the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program allowed new enrollees since Congress stopped the funds in 2009 amid controversy over whether the program improved educational outcomes for the District’s poorest students. Students already receiving vouchers continued in the program.