The Wisconsin Parental Choice Program is a state-run voucher system that helps eligible families send their kids to private or religious schools. Launched in 2013, it primarily benefits families outside Milwaukee and Racine.
As of 2024, 12 states have enacted universal or near-universal Education Savings Account (ESA) programs, with Arizona's program alone serving over 75,000 students — making state-funded homeschooling more accessible than ever (EdChoice, 2024). According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), approximately 3.3 million students were homeschooled in the United States as of 2023, representing roughly 6% of the school-age population.
What is the Wisconsin parental choice program?
The Wisconsin Parental Choice Program started in 2013. It’s a state-run voucher program that helps families pay for private or religious schools. To qualify, families must have low income and live outside Milwaukee and Racine. For K-8 students, the voucher covers full tuition. For high schoolers, it helps a lot, but schools can charge more if your income is above 220% of the federal poverty level. Wisconsin has four choice programs, with this one covering the most area.
Who qualifies for wpcp?
To qualify for the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program, you need to meet three criteria: residency, income, and school attendance. You must live in Wisconsin, but not in Milwaukee or Racine. Your income should be at or below 220% of the federal poverty level—about $68,640 for a family of four. Also, students must have attended a Wisconsin public school last year, not been enrolled anywhere, or be entering K4, K5, first, or ninth grade. Homeschoolers find this program appealing since they can enter at any grade.
The 'once in, always in' protection
A great feature of the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program is the income protection. Once your child is in the program, they stay eligible even if your income goes up. This is true as long as your student remains enrolled in a participating school. Many families appreciate this—if you get a raise, it won’t kick your child out of the program.
The bottom line
The Wisconsin Parental Choice Program opens doors to private education for families who might struggle with tuition costs. The application period is short, so families looking to start in the 2026-27 school year should gather their documents now. If you’re a homeschool family thinking about switching to private school, this program is a flexible option. For questions, reach out to the Wisconsin DPI at 1-888-245-2732 or PrivateSchoolChoice@dpi.wi.gov.
