School Choice
Divine Savior School participates in the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP), a state-funded initiative that allows parents to send their children to participating private schools, like Divine Savior, at no cost to the family. Through this program, eligible families can receive tuition assistance for private education, giving them the freedom to choose a school that aligns with their values and educational preferences. The WPCP benefits Catholic schools like us by expanding access to families who may not have otherwise been able to afford tuition at a Catholic school. This also helps Divine Savior School maintain financial sustainability while providing families with the opportunity for a faith-based education in a supportive and nurturing environment.
Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP) Links & Resources
Below are links and resources that are available to families who are considering WPCP including information on eligibility, documents/applications, and further resources.
Application:
Each year, parents must complete the Online Parent Application. An email address is required. There will be monthly application periods. Below you can view the specific monthly application dates. Parents may apply to one or more schools for their student(s) during the open application periods. So, even if you are not sure if Divine Savior will be where you would like to send your child(ren), we recommend adding us to the list of possible schools.
Critical Application and Reapplication Details
- Apply During Monthly Window Monthly application window opens beginning in February. Specific details are in the “Application Windows” table below.
RETURNING FAMILIES – If you reapply in February, your student will be in the highest priority group. If you wait until March or later, available seats may already be taken by families who applied earlier. Your seats are not guaranteed. - Submit Online Application
Find it on the Wisconsin DPI website. First time applicants must also provide income verification. - Submit Documentation to Divine Savior Catholic School
Families must submit proof of residency to the school(s) they are applying to. New applicants must also submit income verification. If documentation is not submitted during the same window as the online application, the application cannot be verified. You will need to start your application again, during the next month’s application window. - Schools Send Notification of Status
After each window closes and applications are verified, families will be notified by the school whether their student has been accepted, placed on a waitlist, or not accepted.
Click on the link below to access the application for the 2026-2027 school year.
Eligibility:
There are three determining factors when figuring out eligibility: Age, Residency, and Income.
Age:
All students age 4-20 are eligible. A student must be at least the following age on or before September 1: 4 years old for K4, 5 years old for K5 and 6 years old for grade 1. Students applying in WPCP must:
(1) be applying to grades K4, K5, 1, or 9, OR
(2) meet one of the following requirements for the 2025-26 school year: (a) attended a public school in Wisconsin; (b) attended school in another state; (c) were not enrolled in school (including homeschool for the entire 2025-26 school year); (d) participated in the MPCP, RPCP or WPCP; (e) are on a MPCP, RPCP or WPCP waiting list, OR
(3) are applying to the WPCP and are on any prior year WPCP waiting list in 2015-16 or later due to a school district enrollment cap. (Note: District Enrollment Caps are being removed starting in the 2026-2027 school year)
Income:
New Choice students must provide income documentation showing the family income does not exceed the determined 2026-2027 Income limits. Those limits can be found at the link below.
Students who participated in any Choice program in the prior year and students on Choice waiting lists in the prior year applying to the same Choice program are not required to provide income documentation.
Residency:
Families must show proof of their Wisconsin residency. That proof must be submitted to Divine Savior before closing of the monthly application period that you applied. Below are links to a list of acceptable documents along with a verification form if the family is unable to provide a document from the list.
- Private School Choice Programs Residency Documentation Guidance for Parents
- Alternative Residency Documentation Form
Resources:
Below are a list of resources for families about the Choice program in Wisconsin:
- Wisconsin DPI Private School Choice Webpage - This website is maintained by the state. It has links and information on the application process
- School Choice Wisconsin - Founded in 2004, School Choice Wisconsin is the lead organization working to advance parent choice opportunities in the state
DIVINE SAVIOR SCHOOL participates in the Wisconsin School Choice Program. Current families with children entering PK4, K, or 1st grade are eligible to apply. New families with children in PK4 through 8th grade are eligible to apply. The process is very simple — all you need to be is a resident of the State of Wisconsin and meet the income level requirements. There is no cost to complete the application. Please go to https://sms.dpi.wi.gov/ChoiceParent/ to apply or contact the school for more information. Deadline to apply is April 17, 2025.