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Despite Hope Scholarship participation nearly doubling across the state, and a recent survey showing high parent satisfaction with the program, skeptics continue to insist reform of the scholarship program is needed.
Upshur County Superintendent of Schools Tim Derico announced this month that the county’s Hope Scholarship participation rose from 146 students last year to 273 this fall, nearly doubling.
On Sept. 2, Randolph County Schools Superintendent Dr. Derek Lambert said, "Hope Scholarship participation increased by 119%, from 193 students to 423 students in one year. And I will remind everyone that this was the first year that it was available to everyone."
Statewide, more than 26,000 students applied for full Hope Scholarship funding for the 2026-2027 school year, up from the roughly 15,000 in 2025-2026.
New this year, all K-12 resident students are eligible to participate in the program, including traditional homeschoolers and existing private school students who previously did not qualify.
This month, State Treasurer Larry Pack announced a 98% parent satisfaction rate for the Hope Scholarship program during the 2025-2026 school year.
The survey, conducted in May and June of this year, included nearly 900 responses from the more than 10,000 surveys sent.
"The results of this survey reinforce what we hear every day from our Hope Scholarship families across West Virginia – parents value having the freedom to choose an education that best meets the individual needs of their children," Pack said.
There have been local examples this year of schools allegedly abusing the program, however.
In July, the Hope Scholarship Board acted to permanently disqualify Tygart Valley Christian Academy, located in Beverly in Randolph County, from participation in the program for alleged financial misconduct, failing to repay funds and other issues.
Laurel Academy, which has a location in Parsons in Tucker County, was placed on probation in July for alleged accounting and repayment missteps.
One other West Virginia school, A Broken Spur Riding Academy in Summers County, has also been permanently disqualified from the program.
Clearly, state lawmakers have more work to do on making sure the scholarship program - no matter how popular – cannot be gamed or misused.