Puerto Rico offers limited but meaningful school choice options through a publicly funded voucher program and a growing charter school sector. Established under the 2018 Education Reform Law (Act 85), these initiatives aim to expand access to alternative education settings for students across the island, particularly those in underserved communities.
Puerto Rico Free School Selection Program
The Puerto Rico Free School Selection Program was established to provide a school choice education alternative and opportunity to students in the public school system. The program provides publicly funded vouchers to eligible K–12 students to attend private schools or transfer to another public school.
Charter Schools
Puerto Rico authorized public charter schools under Act 85 in 2018. These tuition-free schools operate independently from traditional district schools but remain publicly funded and accountable to the Puerto Rico Department of Education. The law caps charter growth at 10% of all public schools on the island. While still limited in number, charter schools are expanding and offer families additional options within the public education system.