Wisconsin Parental Choice Program

Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP)

The Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP) is a statewide initiative that enables eligible families to enroll their children in participating private schools, such as VCA Virtual, tuition-free. This program is designed to provide educational opportunities to families across Wisconsin, excluding those residing in Milwaukee and the Racine Unified School District.

Eligibility Criteria

Residency: Must reside in Wisconsin but outside the city of Milwaukee and the Racine Unified School District.
Income: Family income must be at or below 220% of the federal poverty level. For married couples, an additional $7,000 deduction is applied when determining income eligibility.
Prior Year Attendance: The student must meet one of the following:
- Attended a public school in grades K4–12 in the previous year.
- Not enrolled in school the previous year (including homeschool students).
- Attended a private school in grades K4, K5, 1, or 9 in the previous year.
- Participated in the MPCP or RPCP in the previous school year.
Enrollment Cap: Total program enrollment cannot exceed 9% of the local school district’s enrollment.

Voucher Amounts for 2024–2025

Grades K–8: $10,237
Grades 9–12: $12,731

These amounts are subject to annual adjustments based on changes in state public school funding.

Application Process

Families can apply during the open enrollment period from February 3 to April 17, 2025, via the DPI School Choice Application Portal. An email address is required to complete the application. Supporting documentation for income and residency must be submitted to the chosen school(s) during the application period. Applications are subject to a random lottery if the number of applicants exceeds available seats.

Frequently Asked Questions

Some schools accept supporting documentation via email. Contact the school directly to confirm their preferred method of receiving documents.

Schools may charge additional fees for personal items (e.g., uniforms), extracurricular activities, musical instruments, meals, transportation, before and after-school care, and high school classes not required for graduation.

For grades K–8, the voucher covers full tuition. For grades 9–12, schools may charge additional tuition if the family's income exceeds 220% of the federal poverty level.

Parents may opt their child out of any religious instruction or activities by notifying the school in writing.

Schools cannot use grades or test scores as a condition for acceptance. However, they may assess students for placement purposes after admission.

Complete the online application during the open enrollment period via the DPI website. An email address is required. Ensure all supporting documentation is submitted to the chosen school(s) within the application window.

Need assistance? Contact our enrollment team and we’ll guide you through the application process.