In just a few short years, Shepherd’s Watch Christian Academy has become a vital part of its small-town community. Entering its third year of operation and second year participating in Wisconsin’s school choice program, the school is set to welcome nearly 60 students for the 2025–26 school year—up from just 17 in its first year. With limited local options and long waitlists at the area’s other two private schools, Shepherd’s Watch offers families a much-needed alternative. Parents are drawn to the school’s commitment to quality education grounded in Christian values. Open to families from various denominations, the school reflects the…

During the 2024-25 school year, Wisconsin’s choice programs expanded over 400 schools and impacted over 58,000 students across the state. Despite the vastness of the program, more and more families are learning about their private schooling options for the first time each year. This opportunity to receive a choice voucher is life-changing for so many Wisconsin families—take Danyell G.’s family as one example. Her oldest children attended Ozaukee Christian School for a few years until the family decided to try homeschooling. Danyell’s husband was soon diagnosed with and passed away from cancer. Danyell couldn’t keep up with the demands of…

Wisconsin’s parental choice programs have steadily grown over recent years, but truthfully, many parents are still unaware of the options they have when it comes to selecting a school for their children. With all the information (and misinformation) out there, it can be daunting for families to confidently choose a school. LeNay G. is one example of a parent who found a school that fits her family’s values and needs, but was unaware they qualified for the state’s voucher program. It wasn’t until a conversation with the school’s principal when LeNay realized her children could attend for free. LeNay wanted…

St. John Lutheran School is small, but mighty—with an enrollment of less than 80 students, the family-like environment, as described by principal Diane Goetsch, comes naturally. The school sits between two larger school districts, yet offers local parents a faith-based education for their children that is highly valued in the community. Goetsch began her time at St. John after working in a public school for over 30 years. She felt the private, religious environment was a better fit for her personally, which helps to strengthen her relationships with families and students at St. John. “I can talk and teach kids…

Jay A. has been a public-school teacher for almost two decades, and he sends his three sons to St. Peter Lutheran in Appleton. This is no paradox—many Wisconsin families have ties to both public and private schools and find success in exercising their right to have educational options. When deciding where to send his own children, Jay didn’t have to search far to find St. Peter. The school is well known in the community for their early childhood care, and his family lives close to the campus. He says they took a leap of faith when enrolling the two oldest…

It seems obvious that parents would choose to send their children to a religious school because they want them to receive a faith-based education. However, many factors go into the decision to attend such a school. Take Lindsay Serrahn, a reading interventionist at St. Paul’s in Algoma, for example. In addition to working at St. Paul’s, she and her husband send their children there and are familiar with the school because her husband is an alumnus. Although Lindsay did not have a religious upbringing like her husband, she has no regrets about enrolling her children. Lindsay’s reasons for working at…

Last week, we shared a bit about Cross Trainers Academy (CTA), a school formed by the Milwaukee Rescue Mission, a homeless shelter located on Milwaukee’s north side. This school provides local children with a Christian-based education that many parents are seeking. Tiffany O. is one such parent who made the choice to enroll her children at CTA and has not looked back since. Upon moving to Wisconsin from California, Tiffany was searching for a Milwaukee school that would support her family’s values and Christian beliefs. She heard of CTA from a family friend who knew of Tiffany’s struggles with the…

At School Choice Wisconsin, we believe that each child is unique, and an array of educational options will best meet diverse needs. Journeys Lutheran School is a prime example of a choice school that serves students with exceptional needs, especially those with disabilities that need high-level attention. Each student is given an individualized learning plan upon enrollment to ensure these learning needs are the focal point of their educational experience. Special needs programs can be quite costly for parents, but Journeys includes these services for all their students who need them. The school features a program called the Crossroads Classroom,…

There are numerous Lutheran schools participating in Wisconsin’s four choice programs, which is a strong testament to the choices Wisconsin families make in sending their children to faith-based schools. Kingdom Prep, an all-boys Lutheran high school based just outside of Milwaukee, was born out of the need for more choice seats in local Lutheran schools. Hundreds of applicants were being turned away due to increased enrollment, leaving many families without the educational options they deserve. Kingdom Prep is a unique option for families looking for a school environment that will help their sons build leadership skills alongside obtaining a solid…