Fact Check: Pungo Christian Academy hiked tuition nearly 40% in one year.

Published June 21, 2025

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VERDICT

Needs Research

# Fact Check: "Pungo Christian Academy hiked tuition nearly 40% in one year." ## What We Know The claim that Pungo Christian Academy raised its tuiti...

Fact Check: "Pungo Christian Academy hiked tuition nearly 40% in one year."

What We Know

The claim that Pungo Christian Academy raised its tuition nearly 40% in a single year is supported by multiple sources. According to a report from WHQR, the academy indeed increased its tuition significantly, bringing it to just below the maximum amount of a full scholarship under North Carolina's Opportunity Scholarship program. This tuition hike was attributed to a restructuring of fees that were previously billed separately, as stated by the school's Head of School, Marcy Sasnett.

Additionally, ProPublica corroborates this information, noting that Pungo Christian Academy raised its average tuition by almost 50% over the past three school years, although it does not specify the exact percentage for the most recent year.

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim comes from credible news sources that report on educational policies and private school funding in North Carolina. WHQR is a local public radio station known for its in-depth reporting on regional issues, while ProPublica is a well-respected nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power and has a strong track record in reporting on educational inequities.

While the claim about the tuition hike is substantiated, it is essential to consider the context of this increase. The restructuring of fees at Pungo Christian Academy indicates that the tuition hike may not solely reflect an increase in educational costs but could also be a strategic move to align with the funding available through the Opportunity Scholarship program. This program allows families to receive state-funded scholarships to attend private schools, which may incentivize schools to adjust their tuition rates accordingly.

However, the lack of detailed financial breakdowns or comparisons to previous tuition rates makes it challenging to fully assess the implications of this increase. The sources do not provide specific figures on the previous tuition rates or how they compare to the current rates, which is crucial for understanding the full impact of the increase.

Conclusion

Needs Research. While the claim that Pungo Christian Academy raised its tuition nearly 40% in one year is supported by credible sources, the context of the increase and its implications require further investigation. Additional data on previous tuition rates and the specifics of the fee restructuring would provide a clearer picture of the situation.

Sources

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