Buckeye’s 85326 ZIP code ranks among the top five in Arizona for participation in the state’s Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program, with 897 students enrolled in Fiscal Year 2024 Quarter 4. The program, which provides families with state-funded scholarships to pursue education outside the public school system, reflects a growing interest in alternative educational options as Buckeye continues to expand.
Statewide, nearly 75,000 students used ESA funds during the fourth quarter, with 55,590 qualifying under universal eligibility. Another 18% of participants are students with disabilities, with autism being the most common diagnosis in this group, representing 53%. The average scholarship ranged between $7,000 and $8,000 per student, contributing to $738 million in total awards during the quarter. Families have used ESA funds for diverse educational needs, from private school tuition and tutoring to more unconventional purchases like ski passes, LEGO sets, and online ballet lessons.
The ESA program, first introduced in Arizona for students with disabilities, expanded universally in 2022 under then-Gov. Doug Ducey. This expansion, part of a broader push for "educational freedom," has drawn national attention, with several other states modeling similar programs after Arizona’s. While advocates praise the program for giving families more choices, critics point to its rapid cost increases — from an initial estimate of $100 million over two years to over $400 million annually — and its impact on Arizona’s budget deficit.
Supporters of the program argue that they provide families with the freedom to choose the best educational options for their children, whether through private schools, homeschooling, or specialized programs. They emphasize that vouchers empower parents, leveling the playing field by making high-quality education accessible to more families, regardless of income. Supporters claim that ESAs promote innovation and competition, driving public schools to improve while offering parents the flexibility to customize their children’s education. They also argue that directing funds to students rather than institutions increases efficiency and ensures resources are spent where they are most needed.
Opponents of school vouchers argue that programs like Arizona’s ESAs strain state budgets, with costs ballooning from $100 million over two years to $400 million annually, contributing to the state’s budget deficit. They contend that vouchers divert essential funding from public schools, leaving the majority of students with fewer resources and perpetuating inequities. Opponents also highlight the lack of oversight, citing questionable expenditures like the LEGOs, and assert that vouchers disproportionately benefit wealthy families who already afford private school tuition, effectively subsidizing their choices with taxpayer dollars. These concerns raise questions about fairness, accountability, and the long-term impact on public education.
In Buckeye, the program’s growth mirrors the city’s development as a thriving suburban hub. While 85326 ranked fifth with 897 students, other top ZIP codes included Queen Creek’s 85142 (1,757 students), Peoria’s 85383 (1,264), and Yuma’s 85365 (1,071), with most of the leading areas located in affluent parts of Maricopa County.
As soon as eligibility opened up in the state, 114 students from 85326 were enrolled in the program. That number increased 687% in two years.
Buckeye's other major zip code 85926 only has nine students enrolled in the program as of Q4.
