Last verified: October 2026
What does Alabama require of a church school?
A church school operated as a ministry of a local church, group of churches or denomination is exempt from the October 10 annual private-school registration. Parents file enrollment and attendance documentation with the local superintendent on a state form, and the principal teacher keeps an attendance register.
What does it take to receive CHOOSE Act money?
Accreditation, or being in the accreditation process, with a body the CHOOSE Act names, such as AACS, the Alabama Christian Education Association, Cognia or AISA, followed by approval from ALDOR as a participating school and registration with ClassWallet.
What does the money look like for a small school?
Each enrolled participating student brings up to $7,000 a year, paid through ClassWallet on the billing rhythm the school sets. Families still pay excluded fees such as uniforms and field trips.
What about a part-week or co-op model?
Students who are not enrolled at a participating school fall in the $2,000 home-education tier. Some congregations run a co-op that families fund from that account, while others aim for a full-time accredited school.
Before and after approval
| Before ALDOR approval | After approval |
|---|---|
| Families pay you privately | Families can pay from their ESA in ClassWallet |
| Not on the state list | Listed on ALDOR's participating or ESP list |