Wisconsin school choice enrollment grows | Wisconsin

(The Center Square) – More families are opting out of traditional public schools in Wisconsin.

School Choice Wisconsin said the latest enrollment numbers from the state’s Department of Public Instruction show school choice enrollment is growing.

“Parents have spoken: they want more educational opportunities for their children. It’s evident from the new data that parents are exercising their rights and know what is best for their students,” School Choice Wisconsin President Nicholas Kelly said.

In all, Kelly said nearly 59,000 students in Wisconsin are enrolled on one of the state’s choice programs, up 3,674 from a year ago.

“Twenty new schools are now taking part in the choice program, bringing the total number of participating schools to 403,” Kelly added.

Wisconsin has four school choice programs:

• The Milwaukee Parental Choice Program is for low-income students in Milwaukee only. The Milwaukee Choice Program was Wisconsin’s first, it was established in 1990.
• The Racine Parental Choice Program is for low-income students in Racine and was created in 2011.
• The Wisconsin Parental Choice Program is for students across the state created in 2013.
• The Special Needs Scholarship Program created in 2015 to provide vouchers for students with special needs.

School Choice Wisconsin’s analysis shows the largest growth in both the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program and the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program.

Kelly said the enrollment numbers are just one sign of the popularity of school choice across the state.

“Statewide, school choice is incredibly popular. Recent polling indicates that nearly 70% of Wisconsinites support It, including 69% of Independents, 47% of Democrats, and 87% of Republicans,” Kelly said. “Thousands of families now have the freedom to choose the education best for their child. School Choice Wisconsin will continue to advocate for educational freedom for all parents — public, private, and charter.”