Islamic Schools Admitted to Texas Voucher Program After Lawsuit

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A federal judge has ordered the state of Texas to allow four Islamic schools to apply for and participate in the state's private school voucher program. The judge cited concerns that no Islamic schools had previously been approved for the program, which provides tuition reimbursement and other financial assistance to parents who send their children to private schools. The schools were quickly approved and added to the program after applying.

Why it matters

The inclusion of Islamic schools in the state's voucher program is seen as an important step in ensuring equal access to educational options for families of diverse religious backgrounds. The program provides financial assistance to help make private schooling more affordable, which can be particularly beneficial for underserved communities.

The details

The four Islamic schools that were admitted to the Texas voucher program include the Houston Quran Academy. Hamed Ghazali, the principal of the Houston Quran Academy, said the school was able to quickly register and get approved for the program after receiving an invitation to apply. The voucher program provides up to $10,400 in tuition reimbursement and other fees for parents who send their children to private schools, with higher amounts available for students with disabilities.

• The federal judge ordered the state to invite Islamic schools to apply for the voucher program in late March 2026.
• The application deadline for families was extended to March 31, 2026 by the judge.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The judge's order requires the state to keep the application deadline for families extended to March 31, 2026 to allow more time for Islamic schools to be approved and added to the program.