The Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP) was created in 1990, and is the country’s first school choice voucher program. The program allows low and middle-income families who live in Milwaukee to enroll their children in private schools that they could not otherwise afford, through the use of an educational voucher.

In its first year, seven private schools in the city accepted 341 students. Today, the MPCP has expanded to include more than 135 schools in the metro Milwaukee area and serves nearly 30,000 students annually. The MPCP has no enrollment caps. Most schools that participate in the MPCP enroll both choice and non-choice students.

Participating Schools

Click here for a list of schools participating in the MPCP during the 2026-27 school year. 

Student Eligibility

• The student must reside in Milwaukee.
• Family income must be at or below 300% of the federal poverty level (see income eligibility charts here)
• There is no limit on the number of students who may participate in the MPCP.

Application Periods

Application periods run on a monthly basis:

• February 2-20, 2026
• March 1-20, 2026
• April 1-20, 2026
• May 1-20, 2026
• June 1-22, 2026
• July 1-20, 2026
• August 1-20, 2026
• September 1-14, 2026
• October 1-20, 2026 (2nd semester only)
• November 1-20, 2026 (2nd semester only)
• December 1, 2026 – January 5, 2027 (2nd semester only)

Schools determine which months they will accept applications. View the DPI’s list of participating Choice schools or ask the school directly which months you may apply.

Voucher Amounts

For the 2026–2027 school year, the estimated amount of the voucher is $11,305 for grades K-8 and $13,799 for grades 9-12. The voucher amount increases by an amount equal to the increase in state public school funding each year. Please note that payment amounts are subject to statutory changes.

Enroll in the MPCP