Paris Classical Academy is TEFA Approved
What that means
Classical Christian education is now more accessible than ever. The new TEFA program provides state-funded accounts that eligible Texas families can use to help cover tuition at Paris Classical Academy — at no additional cost to the school’s mission or independence. Tuition Schedule for the upcoming year of ’26-’27 is $10,400 pre child.
Overview
In 2025, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 2, creating the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program — the largest day-one school choice initiative in the nation. With $1 billion in funding, the program gives parents greater freedom and flexibility to choose the best educational environment for their children.
Through TEFA, families who enroll their children outside the public school system can receive state-funded accounts to pay for approved educational expenses — including private school tuition.
Funds are held in a state-managed account and disbursed through a secure, Comptroller-approved payment system. Families do not handle the funds directly.
An Important Distinction
TEFA is administered by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts — not the Texas Education Agency (TEA). This matters for families and schools alike. Because the program operates outside of TEA oversight, participating private schools are not treated as state actors, and the state cannot impose requirements that conflict with a school’s religious values, curriculum, or admissions standards. Paris Classical Academy retains full independence over how and what we teach.
Eligibility
If applications exceed available funds, the state uses a prioritization system. Families do not need to prove eligibility before applying — the determination happens after you submit your application. You can read more on the ESAs.
- Students with disabilities from households at or below 500% of the Federal Poverty Level (~$160,750 for a family of four) are first priority.
- Low-income families with household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (~$64,300 for a family of four) are second priority.
- Middle-income families with household income between 200% and 500% of the Federal Poverty Level are third priority.
- All other eligible families, depending on available funds, are prioritized next. Students switching from public school are prioritized within this group.
The Sibling Rule
If one child in your family is awarded a TEFA, all siblings you applied for will also receive TEFA funding — provided you applied for each child separately through the portal. This policy is specifically designed to keep families together and ensure no household has to split children between schools for financial reasons.
Additionally, once your family is enrolled in the program, siblings will receive top priority in future application cycles — meaning your family’s place in the program is protected year over year.
Timeline
- December 2025
- Schools Approved – Paris Classical Academy applied and was approved as a TEFA participating school.
- February 4 – March 17, 2026
- Family Application Window – Families may submit applications through the official TEFA portal at EducationFreedom.Texas.gov. This is not first-come, first-served — you can apply any time during the window.
- Week of April 6, 2026
- Award Notifications – Families are notified whether they qualify and the funding amount they will receive.
- July 1, 2026
- Funds Begin Disbursing – At least 25% of approved funding becomes available. Additional disbursements follow in October 2026 and April 2027.
Our Commitment
Paris Classical Academy remains independent. Because TEFA is administered by the Texas Comptroller — and not the Texas Education Agency — participating schools like Paris Classical Academy are protected from state interference in our curriculum, admissions, and values. Accepting TEFA funds does not make us a state actor, does not require us to change what we teach, and does not compromise the classical, Christian mission that defines who we are.
Our goal remains simple: Make rigorous classical Christian education accessible to every family in Lamar County that desires it. TEFA is a meaningful step toward making that a reality.
How Funds Are Managed
The Texas Comptroller has selected Odyssey as the certified educational assistance organization (CEAO) to manage the TEFA program. Odyssey operates an end-to-end digital platform that handles applications, account management, and payments.
- Apply – Submit your application through the Odyssey portal at EducationFreedom.Texas.gov between Feb. 4 – March 17, 2026.
- Get Notified – Award decisions are sent to families beginning April 6, 2026. PCA will confirm your enrollment.
- Access Funds – Beginning July 1, 2026, funds are loaded into your secure digital wallet. Payments to PCA are made directly through the platform.
- Roll Over – Unused funds carry forward each year — they do not expire as long as your child remains enrolled in the TEFA program.
Tuition Schedule for ’26-’27
Tuition for the upcoming year is $10,400.
At Paris Classical Academy, we are committed to making classical, Christ-centered education accessible to mission-aligned families whenever possible.
TEFA FAQs
No. TEFA approval and PCA enrollment are two separate processes. Families must complete PCA’s admissions process in addition to applying for TEFA. We encourage families to begin both processes simultaneously. Contact our admissions office to get started.
No. You can apply any time between February 4 and March 17, 2026 without affecting your chances. If applications exceed available funding, a priority-based lottery determines placement — not the order in which applications were received.
No. Because TEFA is administered by the Texas Comptroller — not the TEA — Paris Classical Academy is not treated as a state actor. We are fully protected in our curriculum, admissions decisions, and faith-based values. Accepting TEFA funds does not require us to change what we teach, how we teach it, or who we admit.
Families who apply but do not receive an account will be placed on a waitlist. You will also need to reapply through the portal the following year. The program is expected to expand over time — state officials have indicated that more families will become eligible as funding grows.
Students with a disability and a current IEP on file with TEA may qualify for up to $30,000 per year and receive top priority in the application process. It is important to confirm that your child’s IEP is on file with TEA before the March 17 deadline. Please note that private schools are not subject to the same federal, special-education requirements as public schools — speak with our admissions office to discuss your child’s specific needs.
Once accepted, you do not need to submit a full new application each year. However, you will need to update or confirm your information annually through the Odyssey portal to remain active in the program. Unused funds roll over year to year as long as your child stays enrolled.