Question: My school wants to join the choice program, but I see that there are some deadlines for new private schools in August that I’ve missed. I thought the deadline to register was Jan. 10. Which deadline is it?
Answer: Like many things in state law, the use of words can be confusing. In this instance, which deadline your school has to meet depends on the DPI’s classification of your school. There are two DPI categories for schools looking to join the choice program for the first time:
- New private school, new to the program; or
- Existing private school, new to the program.
It’s easy to misunderstand the terms and assume your school is a “new private school, new to the program,” since you’re just starting the program.
However, most WCRIS member schools will likely meet the definition of “existing private school, new to the program.” The DPI defines an “existing private school” as a school that’s been in operation for more than 12 months and has more than 40 students or three grade levels enrolled.
Schools that are considered existing must register by Jan. 10 of the school year preceding the school year they wish to participate in the choice program. So for these schools, the deadline would be Jan. 10, 2024 for the 2024-25 school year.
A few schools may meet the definition of a “new private school, new to the program” if they do not meet the DPI’s conditions of an existing private school above. “New private schools, new to the program” will need to meet the Aug. 1 deadline of the school year preceding the school year they wish to participate in the choice program. So to participate in the 2024-25 school year, the deadline was August 1, 2023.
Please note: These deadlines are for the Milwaukee, Racine and Wisconsin parental choice programs. There are other deadlines for the Special Needs Scholarship Program (SNSP).
