Delafield, Wis. – 2,507 more Wisconsin students use vouchers in 2027 than in 2026, and 3,908 more students use independent, non-district charter schools. The programs grew faster than in 2026, even as the number of students statewide declines.
The Department of Public Instruction released school choice enrollment numbers October 15. Public and private enrollment numbers will be available in March.
THE QUOTE
“School choice has never been in higher demand, just as particular state leaders are crowing about taking it away,” said Quinton Klabon, Senior Research Director at the Institute for Reforming Government. “Instead of sabotaging some of Wisconsin’s highest performers and ripping options away from parents, Wisconsin should ensure every city has an ecosystem of diverse, excellent schools.”
THE NUMBERS
In 2026-2027:
- Milwaukee Parental Choice Program: 30,091 (+183) (+0.6%)
- Racine Parental Choice Program: 4,029 (-141) (-3.4%)
- Wisconsin Parental Choice Program: 25,338 (+1,941) (+8.3%)
- Special Needs Scholarship Program: 3,859 (+524) (+15.7%)
- Wisconsin Independent Charter Schools: 16,730 (+3,908) (+30.5%)
DIG DEEPER
- Districts chased out charter schools. Charters’ abnormally fast growth came from the Milwaukee College Prep, Carmen, and WSTEM charter schools, which were parts of school districts, leaving to go independent. Board discord often led to departure.
- The end of enrollment caps led only to moderate growth. This year, there is no longer a limit on the number of students in a district who can use school choice. Politicians unsuccessfully proposed reinstating the limit, blocking parents from access to the schools they want for their children. However, the 3 areas who had hit the limit (West Allis-West Milwaukee, Manitowoc, and Watertown) added only a moderate number of students without it this year. Additionally, it appears no other district would have hit the eliminated limit.
- Private schools are serving special-needs students. The Special Needs Scholarship Program grew the fastest of the 4 voucher programs. 19 schools participate only in the Special Needs Scholarship Program. Students in the program receive thousands of dollars less for special needs than those in public schools receive. There is also a multi-thousand-dollar funding gap among choice and district students overall, even when accounting for shared services.
- Population decline matters. The birth dearth is shrinking public schools, not private schools. Believe it or not, private school students compose the same size slice of the enrollment pie as they did in 2000. More of those students use vouchers, while fewer are paying tuition. It is home school that has rapidly grown, especially since the pandemic.