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…

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…