Some parents in Appleton have the opportunity to send their children to private schools and have a portion of state tax revenues earmarked for their child apply toward the cost of tuition. The statewide program has been growing fast, as shown in the image below. Under current law, all parents will be eligible to participate in the program beginning in 2026.
On September 8, 2022, Wisconsin’s leading school choice advocacy groups agreed to work together to plan how school choice can become universal in Wisconsin. See this news release from the Badger Institute for details of that announcement.
The Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP) is a statewide private school voucher program enacted and launched in 2013. The program allows students whose families meet certain income qualifications and are not assigned to the Milwaukee Public Schools or Racine Unified school districts the ability to attend a participating private or religious school of their choice, tuition free. 314 schools and 17,079 students currently participate in the program. Learn more about the program here: https://schoolchoicewi.org/programs/wisconsin-parental-choice-program/
The Special Needs Scholarship Program (SNSP) allows a student with a disability, who meets certain eligibility requirements, to receive a state-funded scholarship to attend a private school that is located in Wisconsin and participating in the SNSP. The school receives a state aid payment for each eligible student. 162 schools and 2,217 students participate in the program. Learn more about the program here: https://schoolchoicewi.org/programs/special-needs-scholarship-program/
A list of schools that participate in the choice program is available here: https://schoolchoicewi.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/wpcp_2022-23_school_list_by_county.pdf. Some or all of the cost of tuition at these schools is reimbursed to parents who participate in a choice program. The following schools in Outagamie County participate:
Celebration Lutheran School
3100 East Evergreen Drive
Appleton, WI 54913
Administrator: Renee Pickering
Phone: (920) 734-8218
Grades: K4–6,8
Fox Valley Lutheran High School
5300 North Meade Street
Appleton, WI 54913
Administrator: Alan Nolte
Phone: (920) 739-4441
Grades: 9–12
Holy Spirit Catholic School
W2796 Cty Rd. KK
Appleton, WI 54915
Administrator: Michael Zuleger
Phone: (920) 733-2651
Grades: K4–8
Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran School
W7265 School Road
Greenville, WI 54942
Other Location(s): N1222 Julius Drive
Administrator: Andrew Thiesfeldt
Phone: (920) 757-6606
Grades: K4–8
Mount Olive Evangelical Lutheran School
930 E. Florida Avenue
Appleton, WI 54911
Administrator: Landon Zacharyasz
Phone: (920) 739-9194
Grades: K4–8
Riverview Lutheran School
136 W Seymour Street
Appleton, WI 54915
Administrator: Seth Zimmermann
Phone: (920) 733-3728
Grades: K4–8
Saint Edward School
N2944 State Rd. 47
Appleton, WI 54913
Administrator: Renee Cowart
Phone: (920) 733-6276
Grades: K4–5
Saint Francis Xavier Catholic School System, Inc.
101 East Northland Avenue
Appleton, WI 54911
Other Location(s): 1810 North McDonald Street; 2626 North Oneida Street; 500 West Marquette Street; Â 600 West Prospect
Administrator: Philip Riley
Phone: (920) 735-9380
Grades: K4–12
Saint Ignatius of Loyola Catholic School
220 Doty Street
Kaukauna, WI 54130
Administrator: Nathan Vande Hey
Phone: (920) 766-0186
Grades: K4–12
Saint John Grade School
328 Grand Ave.
Little Chute, WI 54140
Administrator: Kevin Flottmeyer
Phone: (920) 788-9082
Grades: K4–8
Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception
N2387 Municipal Drive
Greenville, WI 54942
Administrator: Debra Fuller
Phone: (920) 202-3456
Grades: K4–8
Saint Nicholas Catholic School
W2035 County Road S
Freedom, WI 54130
Administrator: Scott Vanderloop
Phone: (920) 788-9371
Grades: K4–8
Saint Paul Lutheran School
225 East Harris Street
Appleton, WI 54911
Administrator: Phillip Rehberger
Phone: (920) 733-9061
Grades: K5–8
Saint Peter Lutheran School
N2740 French Road
Freedom, WI 54913
Administrator: Justin Danell
Phone: (920) 739-2009
Grades: K5–8
School Choice Wisconsin Action is a 501(c)(4) member organization that advocates for educational freedom in Wisconsin and provides information to members and others. “We strive to empower families by advocating for quality educational options regardless of zip code or income. We believe it is a parent’s right to choose the best educational environment for their child. Learn more by visiting https://schoolchoicewi.org/.
