Parent Stories
Parent Stories
A teacher in Hales Corners, WI
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,…
Read MoreA school leader from Wauwatosa, WI
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…
Read MoreA parent from Ridgeland, WI
Christy M. heard about Academy of Excellence (AoE)’s virtual model from another parent in her community, and her initial thought was that it sounded too good to be true. Her three children had been homeschooled for a few years until attending another local virtual public charter school. Between the lengthy mandated testing and rigid curriculum demands, Christy felt she and her family could not keep up with the requirements for that school while giving her children a beneficial education. Upon enrolling in AoE, Christy was met with manageable accountability measures and a curriculum that was flexible enough to fit each…
Read MoreA parent from Ixonia, WI
Steve E. has taught at his local public high school for over a decade and chooses to send his children to Academy of Excellence (AoE)’s virtual school. After enrolling their first-born son into a private school that ultimately didn’t feel like the right fit, Steve and his wife knew they wanted to seek other options. They wanted a system that would push their children academically, while being supportive of the family’s needs—a system that would give them access to reasonably priced curriculum and other resources that would open doors to new learning opportunities. Once they heard about AoE, they gave…
Read MoreA principal from Sturtevant, WI
Recent public school closures in Racine and Kenosha have left local families looking for a trusted place to send their children. Enter St. Sebastian STEM Academy, one of seven Siena Catholic schools, which re-opened their doors in the fall of 2023 for the first time in over a decade. Enrollment at St. Sebatian has doubled since then, which is no coincidence. Principal Amanda McCauley describes the environment at St. Sebastian as a loving, family-like feel, which is palpable in the single-hallway school building that now houses 65 3K-1st grade students. Principal McCauley understands first-hand the impact the Siena Catholic school…
Read MoreA parent from Boulder Junction, WI
For many families, the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way people viewed best education practices. Gabriel M. had sent her oldest daughter through public schools her whole life, but when it came to her younger children, the pandemic hit at an especially impressionable age and caused her family to reevaluate what type of schooling works best. Upon enrolling her youngest at Academy of Excellence (AoE)’s virtual model through the choice program, Gabriel immediately saw positive results. Her children work at their own pace on a curriculum that has been approved by both the school and their parents. It’s engaging, tailored to…
Read More