Press Releases

Press Releases

School Choice Wisconsin Names Ashley Czaja as New President

April 1, 2026

BROOKFIELD, WI — School Choice Wisconsin (SCW) has named Ashley Czaja to the position of president, effective immediately, said Brenda White, SCW board chair. Czaja served most recently as Chief of Staff for Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, an office in which she held increasingly responsible positions for the past ten years. She has a strong background in strategic planning, coalition building, and advancing public policy. “We are delighted to welcome Ashley at a time when educational options are more important than ever to Wisconsin families,” White said. “We are confident that her leadership and commitment to parental choice will strengthen…

School Choice Wisconsin Decries Governor Evers’ Veto of Assembly Bill 602, Blocking Millions in Federal Support for Students

March 31, 2026

BROOKFIELD, WI — School Choice Wisconsin issued a statement today following Governor Tony Evers’ decision to veto Assembly Bill 602. The legislation would have opted Wisconsin into the new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program, a move that would have unlocked millions in private donations for educational resources at no cost to the state. “Governor Evers’ decision to veto Assembly Bill 602 is a deeply unfortunate missed opportunity for Wisconsin’s families and students,” said Carol Shires, VP of Operations at School Choice Wisconsin. “By rejecting this measure, the Governor has effectively blocked access to a new stream of federal support that…

Applications Now Available for Wisconsin School Choice Programs 

February 2, 2026

February 02, 2026  (BROOKFIELD, Wis.) —Applications are now open for Wisconsin’s Private School Choice Programs. Families can apply for the 2026–27 school year beginning today, February 2, through February 20 and monthly thereafter through September.  This year’s open enrollment marks important changes for families participating in the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP). For the first time, district participation caps have been lifted, meaning the number of students who can participate in WPCP will no longer be limited by district-level seat restrictions starting in 2026.  “This change will better reflect family demand and remove barriers that previously limited access to choice schools,” said Carol Shires, School Choice Wisconsin.    What’s Changing for Families in the WPCP …

National School Choice Week Highlights Momentum as Open Enrollment Begins for Wisconsin Families on Feb 2nd

January 30, 2026

January 30, 2026 (BROOKFIELD, Wis.) — 433 Schools to Participate in Wisconsin’s Private School Choice Programs for 2026–27 As families across the state celebrate National School Choice Week, parents are also preparing to take the next step in choosing the right school for their children. Enrollment applications for Wisconsin’s Private School Choice Programs open February 2, giving eligible families the opportunity to apply for the 2026–27 school year. This week, more than 1000 students, parents, educators, administrators, and advocates gathered in Madison to celebrate the impact of school choice in Wisconsin and highlight the importance of educational options that meet…

Choice Enrollment Surpasses 60,000 Students in Wisconsin for the First Time Ever

October 16, 2025

Significant increases in schools participating in Special Needs Scholarship Program, and others   October 16, 2025 (BROOKFIELD, Wis.) — Data released today by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) highlight historic growth in the state’s private school parental choice programs. More than 60,000 students are enrolled in one of the state’s four choice programs – a record-breaking total that has nearly doubled in the past decade. “Parents are speaking loudly and clearly about what they want for their children: more educational options different than those offered by public schools. Lawmakers in Madison should continue to prioritize protecting these private-school options for…

Choice Students Score Higher – Once Again

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025 (BROOKFIELD, Wis.) — The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) last week released the annual state testing results. The scores demonstrate once again that students in the state’s private school choice programs continue to outperform their public school peers. Continuing a record dating to the late 2010s, private-choice students scored higher, on average, on state tests than comparable groups of public school students. Furthermore, choice students outscored all public students on the college-readiness ACT exam. Attached tables show that: On every comparison, choice students in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP) and Racine Parental Choice Program (RPCP) outscored…

Wisconsin’s Most Cost-Effective K-12 Program

August 12, 2025

August 12, 2025 (WEST ALLIS) — The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) ranks schools in the state’s private choice programs above traditional public schools, according to a new report from School Choice Wisconsin.  “DPI gives choice schools higher Report Card scores even though they receive substantially less revenue,” said Brenda White, chair, School Choice Wisconsin Board of Directors. “School choice is Wisconsin’s most cost-effective K-12 investment.” “DPI’s favorable ranking of school choice confirms that Wisconsin’s education policy should be grounded in giving parents options,” said Scott Manley, Executive Vice President of Government Relations at Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce.  Manley…

Wisconsin School Choice Programs Serve Thousands of Disabled Students

January 21, 2025

The News: An estimated 14% of students in Wisconsin school choice programs have a special needs disability, according to a new analysis conducted by the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) and School Choice Wisconsin (SCW). The Quotes: Will Flanders, Research Director at WILL, stated: “The data are clear. Wisconsin’s school choice programs serve thousands of students with disabilities—far more than choice opponents acknowledge. The Department of Public Instruction’s method of counting grossly undercounts these students. This fuels a false narrative about private schools’ commitment to serving children with disabilities.” Mike Metoff, Director of Research at SCW, added, “This…

State Report Cards Show Positive Results for Choice Schools

November 19, 2024

Latest DPI data shows substantial advantages for choice programs MADISON, Wis. (November 19, 2024) – New report cards from the Department of Public Instruction show positive results for private schools in Wisconsin’s school choice programs in terms of both student growth and achievement when compared to public schools. School Choice Wisconsin released the following statement from its president, Nicholas Kelly:  “Parents across Wisconsin know what educational opportunities are best for their kids. School choice empowers them to make those decisions. While report cards are just one piece of information a family might use, it’s clear that Wisconsin’s choice schools give…

“Decoupling” Legislation Would Save Manitowoc Schools More Than $1.5 Million

October 16, 2024

Update to school funding policy would solve issues public schools face, benefit all students MADISON, Wis. (October 16, 2024) – The Wisconsin Public Education Network is holding an event Wednesday evening in Manitowoc to attack choice schools over funding despite an easy solution existing. “Decoupling” legislation passed last year by the Wisconsin State Assembly would save taxpayers in the Manitowoc School District more than $1.5 million – a move supported by School Choice Wisconsin last legislative session.  “Thousands of Wisconsin families use vouchers to get the best educational outcomes for their kids every year. The solution isn’t fewer choices for…