On March 8, 2023, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed Act 237, known as the Arkansas LEARNS Act, into law. Arkansas LEARNS focuses on these critical areas for student success:
Improving literacy for all;
Ensuring students come to kindergarten ready to learn;
Empowering parents;
Promoting accountability:
Strengthening career and workforce readiness programs;
Improving access to broadband;
Focusing on school safety; and
Moving teacher starting salaries to the top five of the nation.
An an ANSAA accredited school, Trinity Catholic School has been approved by the Arkansas Department of Education (EDA) to receive funds from the LEARNS Act/ Education Freedom Account (EFA) program. This enables families with eligible students to receive approximately $6,600 toward independent/private school tuition for the 2023-2024 school year.
Year 2 (2024-2025) of LEARNS will open in the spring of 2024! Eligibility opens for many students in year 2. All students who received EFA's in year 1 continue to be eligible, along with the following students:
All students eligible in year 1
Students who were enrolled in the prior school year in public schools rated “D” or “F”
Fort Smith schools included:
Sutton Elementary
Carnall Elementary
Fairview Elementary
Howard Elementary
Raymond F. Orr Elementary
Park Elementary
Spradling Elementary
Sunnymede Elementary
Trusty Elementary
Morrison Elementary
Tilles Elementary
Darby Middle School
Kimmons Middle School
Students whose parents are:
(1) Veterans as identified under Title 38 of the United States Code;
(2) In the military reserves;
(3) First responders; or
(4) Law enforcement officers.
To determine student eligibility to receive EFA funds, please complete an application with the ADE.
Interested in learning more about admission to Trinity? Click here!
