Delafield, Wis. – The Institute for Reforming Government (IRG) released the following statement celebrating the growing number of Wisconsin choice schools during National School Choice Week, National Catholic Schools Week, and National Lutheran Schools Week.
WHAT HAPPENED:
The Department of Public Instruction announced the list of schools participating in the Milwaukee, Racine, and Wisconsin Parental Choice Programs for the 2026-2027 school year on January 27. (Schools participating in the Special Needs Scholarship Program will be announced later this year.)
Next year will see soaring school choice options for parents. 18 schools joined the program for the first time. Limits will end on the amount of students participating in the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program as well, helping shorten waiting lists in Watertown, Manitowoc, and West Allis-West Milwaukee.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR PARENTS:
Parent registration begins February 2, with the first registration period ending February 20.
THE QUOTE:
“Kids from Marshfield to Milwaukee are getting some great news: they will have more quality options for school next year,” said Quinton Klabon, Senior Research Director at the Institute for Reforming Government. “Wisconsin remains the place any family should move for affordable, rigorous schools that match their values.”
DIG DEEPER:
2026-2027 school highlights include:
- 417 school entities will participate in the program.
- 18 new schools will join the program.
- The new schools’ focuses include microschooling, skilled trades, and Waldorf.
- 3 schools will open for the first time: Saint Augustine Christian North (Fox Point-Bayside), Firm Foundation Christian (Ladysmith), Victory Christian (Tomah).
- Saint Sava Orthodox (Milwaukee) will join, which will leave only 1 traditional private school in Milwaukee that will not have joined the program. Saint Sava is Wisconsin’s only Orthodox Christian school.
- Impact Christian Schools (Madison) will have helped 7 schools join the program in 2026-2027 through their network.
- Central and northern Wisconsin will see significant growth in school participation.
- Only 2 schools will leave the program.
- WPCP participation limits will end, helping shorten waiting lists in Watertown, Manitowoc, and West Allis-West Milwaukee.
