Wisconsin Parental Choice Program


St. Ignatius Catholic School and Chesterton Academy is a participating school in the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP), which provides tuition for eligible students in the state wishing to attend a private school. If you’re interested in having your children attend St. Ignatius but worry about its affordability and cost, consider applying through the WPCP.

How to Apply

If you think your child is eligible, we encourage you to consult with our school about how to complete an acceptable application. 

The WPCP application period for 2023-24 school year enrollment is closed. The program has a number limit set by the state. All online applications and documentation must be submitted to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and school before the deadline. Applicants will learn whether they have been awarded a seat in late spring by the DPI.

Contact Director of Business Services Lynn Zwick at lzwick@stignatiuskaukauna.org or 920-759-9290 to schedule an appointment for more information and assistance.  

eligibility

Eligibility is determined by three factors: residency, income, and where your child attended school in the previous year. Here’s how to determine if your child may be eligible:

  • Residency: Provide proof you reside in the state of Wisconsin.
  • Income: Eligibility is determined on a sliding scale that considers family size and 2022 adjusted gross income. You will have to prove your income.
  • Previous Attendance: If your child already attends a private school, he or she must be entering 4K, kindergarten, grade 1, or grade 9 in 2023-24 to be eligible. If your child attended a public, virtual, or charter school the current year or is homeschooled, he or she may be eligible to apply for any grade, 4K-12.

wpcp application process

1. Complete an Online Form
The application begins with an online form. You will need to create an account with the DPI by using your email address and a password. Then you must sign in using those credentials.

Follow the prompts to fill in the application. When you reach the income section, please choose the “DPI method” of income determination. We recommend, for various reasons, that you do not simply offer your Social Security number to determine eligibility. We also ask that you DO NOT SUBMIT your application. It will be in a queue holding for the next steps when you attend an application session or visit the school. We want to be certain that the documentation you are providing matches what you are submitting to the DPI online. Find the online application at http://dpi.wi.gov/choice.

2. Bring Documentation:
Your application is not complete until acceptable documentation is provided to the school, preferably during the application sessions. 

    • Residency: The documentation you provide must have your formal name as used in the application along with the address you used on the application. Acceptable forms include: a utility bill (gas/electric/cable bill), government correspondence, W-2 statement, or paycheck stub. All must be within a month or so of your application and have a date.
    • Income: Use the DPI method and then provide one of the following: 2022 W-2s, 1040 federal income tax form for 2022, Social Security or SSI benefit statement for 2022. If you do not make enough to file taxes, bring a statement of your 2022 state benefits and child support for the year, which you can access online in most communities.

View the Disclosure of Information here.

Contact Us

Contact St. Ignatius Director of Business Services Lynn Zwick to learn more and inquire about the WPCP.
Contact Us