Wis. DPI releases final list for state’s School Choice Program

MADISON (WITI) -- The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction announced Thursday, August 15th the names of the 25 schools that received the most eligible applications during the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program application period.

The Green Bay and De Pere area will have four schools or school systems participating in the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program for the 2013-14 school year. The Kenosha, Manitowoc, Oshkosh, Sheboygan, and Wisconsin Rapids areas each have two schools or school systems that will admit students through the statewide choice program. The remaining 11 communities will have one school or school system each in the new choice program.

Parents and guardians submitted applications for 2,415 students to attend the 48 schools that indicated their intent to participate in the statewide voucher program

The top 25 schools had 2,069 eligible students apply to be in the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program. Of those students, 76 percent (1,566) did not attend a Wisconsin public school last year, and 24 percent (503) were from public schools. Of the 2,069 eligible students, 67 percent (1,393) attended a private school last year.

The Wisconsin Parental Choice Program is limited to 500 students for the 2013-14 school year. State law requires the department to conduct a random drawing of eligible student applications and allocate 10 seats to each of the 25 schools and then fill the remaining 250 seats randomly. The random selection of student applications will be conducted by computer next week.

According to state law, schools must submit documentation of their certificate of occupancy and meet program financial requirements by September 1st.

State legislators say there was so much interest in the expanded school choice program, the state is looking to double the number of students who could enroll next year.