Jewish day school tuition has long been one of those topics that lives somewhere between a spreadsheet and a heartstring. For many families, the desire to provide a Jewish education is clear, but the cost can stretch a budget.
In recent years, a growing number of families in St. Louis have begun turning to MOScholars, Missouri’s tax credit scholarship program. In the local Jewish community, one of the key entry points into the program has been Agudath Israel of Missouri, which helps families understand and access available funding.
MOScholars is part of a broader national debate over tax credit scholarship programs. Supporters say they expand educational access and give families more choice, while critics argue they can divert resources from public schools and raise questions about the use of public funds for religious education.
The program launched in 2022 but faced legal uncertainty in its early years. A Missouri court ruling in August 2025 upheld MOScholars, and a separate legal challenge dismissed in April 2026 cleared the way for it to continue as structured. With those questions largely settled for now, schools and families in St. Louis are beginning to more fully incorporate the program into their approach to affordability.
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The initiative allows taxpayers to redirect a portion of their state tax bill to Educational Assistance Organizations, or EAOs, which then distribute scholarships to qualifying families.
One of those EAOs is Agudath Israel of Missouri, led by Rabbi Hillel Anton. His office helps families navigate eligibility, applications and funding.
“The program was designed to put parents in the driver’s seat,” Anton said. “The grants go directly to students, and schools maintain full autonomy over what they teach.”
Anton said about $2.5 million in MOScholars awards were distributed in 2025 to students in Jewish day schools.
How schools are approaching the program
At Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School, MOScholars has become one part of a broader affordability strategy. The school works with the Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation, a separate state-approved EAO.
“Since the program’s launch, approximately a dozen Mirowitz students have received MOScholars awards,” said Andrea Newstead, director of enrollment. “We communicate directly with eligible families and help them navigate the process.”
Newstead said the program does not affect the school’s independence.
“Mirowitz remains proudly independent,” she said. “MOScholars is one tool that can help families access a Jewish day school education.”
Federation’s role
The Jewish Federation of St. Louis said it met with Anton to better understand the program and how families might benefit. Federation leaders said they do not play an operational role but support efforts to reduce financial barriers.
“Jewish day schools play an essential role in shaping the next generation of Jewish leaders,” said President and CEO Danny Cohn. “We encourage families to explore opportunities like MOScholars.”
Federation noted that through its annual campaign, it provides subsidies to Jewish day schools across the region.
Impact on families
Two families who spoke with the Jewish Light asked to remain anonymous, noting that financial assistance is considered private in many school communities.
For one family, the scholarship made it possible to keep multiple children in Jewish day school.
“Tuition for several kids is very difficult to shoulder,” the parent said. “The scholarship allows us to provide a solid Jewish education without cutting back on other needs.”
Another family said the program helped support a child with an Individualized Education Program, or IEP.
“The assistance made private school possible and opened up resources we didn’t have access to before,” the parent said.
What comes next
As MOScholars continues to expand following recent court rulings, schools and families are still assessing its long-term role.
“Affordability is one of the central challenges,” Newstead said. “MOScholars is one tool alongside tuition assistance and community support.”
