Elusive Voucher School Has a New Address in Harrisburg — And Students Are There

Charlotte

A Charlotte private school that receives North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship money has surfaced at a new address in Cabarrus County. After months of searching for Teaching Achieving Students Academy (TAS Academy), journalist Ann Doss Helms discovered a small group of students actively engaged in learning at the school’s latest location in Harrisburg. Here’s what she found:

The Search for TAS Academy

The investigation into TAS Academy began in June, aiming to clarify discrepancies in a report suggesting the school was receiving more Opportunity Scholarships than it had enrolled students. Over the past decade, TAS Academy has received close to $483,000 in public voucher funds. The debate surrounding the voucher program intensified following a recent legislative expansion, which removed many restrictions on eligibility and allocated nearly $192 million in public funds for private school tuition.

Continued Challenges in Locating the School

Despite multiple attempts to locate the school, previous addresses provided no leads, including a duplex, vacant property, a charter school, and a university student housing facility. Subsequent addresses in Davidson and Concord also turned out to be dead ends, leading to further confusion. However, a recent visit to a shopping center in Harrisburg revealed a group of students engaged in academic activities at the new location of TAS Academy.

Address Confirmation and Compliance

The Division of Nonpublic Education, responsible for record-keeping on private schools, confirmed the new Harrisburg address for TAS Academy. The State Education Assistance Authority acknowledged the school’s compliance at the updated location, signifying a resolution to the ongoing search for the elusive institution.

Accountability Debate and Program Expansion

The debate surrounding the Opportunity Scholarships program extends beyond TAS Academy, with critics highlighting the lack of accountability for private schools that receive public funds. While opponents argue that public schools are held to stringent reporting standards, private institutions are not required to disclose key academic and safety data. Governor Roy Cooper has criticized the program’s expansion, emphasizing the need for more oversight and transparency in public funding for private education.

Future of the Program

With a significant increase in scholarship applications for the upcoming academic year, the demand for the Opportunity Scholarships program continues to rise. Supporters believe in the importance of parental choice in education and advocate for the program’s expansion to provide more families with access to alternative schooling options. As the program evolves, the debate over accountability and funding allocation will likely remain at the forefront of educational discussions in North Carolina.