48 Private Schools Register For Statewide Voucher Program

Forty-eight private schools have registered for the new statewide voucher program, according to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

However, only the schools with the most applicants will likely be able to participate. The new choice program limits the number of students who participate next school year to 500.

If more than 500 students apply, then the 25 schools or school systems with the most applicants will be in the program. If fewer than 500 students who apply, then all 48 schools would be eligible to participate.

The number of students who can participate will increase to 1,000 in 2014-2015.

DPI spokesperson Patrick Gasper says the first step in the process is for interested parents to fill out an online application, which they can do from August 1 to August 9. After parents apply, they have to provide residency and income documentation to the school they applied to.

To be eligible for the choice program family income has to be below 185 percent of the federal poverty rate – around $44,000 for a family of four.