The program allows students from low-income families who reside in the City of Milwaukee to attend any participating private school located in the city at no charge if certain eligibility criteria are met. Contact the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) for the list of schools participating in the program.  You may also access the program’s web page at: www.dpi.wi.gov/sms/choice.html or look at there brochure on the Program Here.

Payment of Allowable Fees

A Choice student may attend a Choice school at no charge for tuition.  However, they may be required by the school to pay reasonable fees for social or extra-curricular activities or for personal use items such as uniforms, towels, or gym clothes.  The student or their parents should check with the private school to determine what fees are charged to students attending under this program, if any.

Student Eligibility

Eligible students in grades K4 through 12 residing in the City of Milwaukee may apply for the Choice program at a participating private school during a period the school is accepting Choice applications. To qualify for the program, a student must reside in the City of Milwaukee and live in a household with an income equal to or less that 175% of the federal poverty level. 

How to Apply

The Milwaukee Parental Choice Program Student Application Form, MPS-PCP-3A is used to apply to a private school participating under this program.  Forms may be obtained from the school office or downloaded from dpi.wi.gov/sms/forms.html.

The student’s parents or guardian must submit an application directly to a participating private Choice school during the school’s open application period(s).  St. John’s open enrollment periods are:  February 1-20; March 1-20; April 1-20; May 1-20; June 1-20; July 1-20; August 1-20; September 1-14. The following open enrollment periods are for second semester participation only: October 1-20; November 1-20 and December 1-January 7.