Private schools collecting public money often run in barns, go-kart tracks and strip malls with little oversight. A ProPublica investigation shows how voucher programs fuel this unregulated growth across states.
Across the United States, taxpayer-funded voucher programs send millions of dollars to private schools housed in converted barns, empty storefronts and even go-kart facilities. These locations often lack basic safety features, trained teachers and standard curricula. State rules are weak or rarely enforced, allowing schools to open quickly with minimal checks.
Parents choose these options hoping for better education, yet many students receive lessons in noisy commercial spaces or buildings never meant for classrooms. Reports document cases where schools collected funds for months before closing suddenly, leaving families without support. Lawmakers in several states have expanded vouchers without adding stronger accountability measures.
Critics argue the system wastes public resources and risks student safety. Supporters say choice improves education overall. The lack of clear data makes it hard to track results, leaving the rapid growth of these unusual schools largely unexamined by officials.
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