25 Wisconsin private schools tapped for voucher program

By Ryan Ekvall and Alyssa Hertig | Wisconsin Reporter

MADISON – With the beginning of the new school year just weeks away, administrators in 25 private schools learned Thursday they’ll participate in the first year of the statewide expansion of parental school choice in Wisconsin.

Parents across the state filled out applications for 2,415 students to attend 45 private schools, but only 500 students will receive vouchers to attend the 25 private schools that received the most applications this year due to a cap set by the Legislature.

The Department of Public Instruction issued a tight applications deadline, Aug. 1-9. So Thursday’s announcement of the top 25 schools and DPI’s student lottery next week leaves school administrators excited, but scrambling to prepare for incoming students.

“We’re extremely excited,” said Danielle Johnson, administrative assistant at Lighthouse Christian School in Madison. “We’re already getting prepared for new students. We’re already adding a new classroom. We’re hoping to hire one more teacher.”

Lighthouse Christian School was the 25th school on the list, with 31 applications. Seven other schools that will not participate in the program this year had between 26 and 30 applications.

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