At a glance
Maine has a distinctive, long-standing town tuitioning system: towns that do not operate their own public school at some grade levels pay tuition for their students to attend another public school or an approved private school. Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s Carson v. Makin (2022) decision, eligible private schools can include religious schools.
This state's choice programs
Under town tuitioning, if your town doesn’t run a school for your child’s grade, it pays tuition to a public or approved private school you choose (up to a set amount). This is geographically specific — it applies only to students in “tuition towns.” Maine does not have a statewide ESA or voucher for all families.
Eligibility
Town tuitioning applies to students who live in a town without its own public school for their grade level. Whether you qualify depends on your town. Confirm with your town or School Administrative Unit (SAU).
Applying
Work through your town / SAU to use town tuitioning. Confirm eligibility, approved schools, and tuition amounts.
Public school choice, too
Remember: “school choice” also includes public options available in every state:
- Open enrollment / transfersAttend a public school outside your zone, where allowed (see our finding-your-school guide)
- Charter schoolsTuition-free public schools of choice (where available)
- Magnet schoolsTuition-free public schools with a specialized focus
- HomeschoolingLegal in all 50 states (rules vary)
Legal & legislative status
After Carson v. Makin (2022), Maine cannot exclude religious schools from town tuitioning solely because they are religious. Confirm the current rules with your SAU.
Tips for families
- Confirm the current programThis area changes fast — verify eligibility, amounts, and deadlines
- Watch the deadlines & capsMany programs have windows and funding caps
- Understand what’s coveredESAs are flexible; vouchers usually cover tuition only
- Check your school participatesNot every private school accepts every program
- Combine with school aidChoice funds can stack with a school’s own financial aid
Frequently asked questions
- Does Maine have a private-school-choice program?Yes (town tuitioning) — Maine’s tuition towns pay for students to attend other schools (which can now include religious schools); no statewide ESA.
- What’s the difference between an ESA and a voucher?A voucher pays a private school directly; an ESA is a flexible parent-managed account for many approved expenses.
- What is a tax-credit scholarship?Donors get a tax credit for giving to organizations that fund private-school scholarships.
- Is there public school choice too?Yes — open enrollment, charters, and magnets (plus homeschooling).
- Where do I confirm the details?On the official state program site (see below).
At a glance
- ProgramTown tuitioning
- HowTowns without schools pay tuition elsewhere
- Since Carson v. MakinCan include religious schools
- NoStatewide ESA or voucher
- Confirm withYour town/SAU
Where to confirm
Confirm current programs and eligibility with the official source: