Education Savings Account
An Education Savings Account (ESA) is a family-directed funding program that empowers parents to use education dollars for the learning options that best nurture their child’s faith and academic growth, including tuition at Orthodox Christian schools, homeschool curricula, tutoring, and approved educational expenses.
OCEN supports ESAs because they protect parental rights and religious liberty, giving Orthodox families greater freedom and resources to choose an education rooted in the Gospel and the rich Tradition of the Church.
What is an ESA?
Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) are innovative, family-empowering tools that allow parents to direct education funds toward the learning options that best fit their child’s needs and faith formation. Instead of money flowing only to a single public school, ESAs place the power and resources directly in the hands of families.
The Orthodox Christian Education Network (OCEN) strongly supports the expansion of Education Savings Accounts because they advance parental rights and religious liberty in education. ESAs enable Orthodox families to use allocated funds for tuition at Orthodox Christian schools, homeschool curricula, online courses, tutoring, educational materials, and other approved expenses — all while keeping Christ and His Church at the center of their children’s formation.
Why ESAs Matter
In today’s educational landscape, parents face growing challenges in finding environments that nurture both academic excellence and genuine spiritual formation. ESAs provide flexibility and choice, ensuring that faithful families are not forced into secular systems that contradict their deeply held beliefs.
Through advocacy and partnerships, OCEN works to promote ESA programs that respect religious freedom and allow Orthodox education to flourish. Whether a family chooses a traditional Orthodox day school, a classical academy, or a vibrant homeschool community, ESAs make these options more affordable and attainable.
