(The Center Square) – Wisconsin’s latest enrollment numbers show some good news for choice schools in the state, but there’s also a warning sign.
School Choice Wisconsin said choice enrollment hit a new record high of 60,972 students.
“Parents are speaking loudly and clearly about what they want for their children: more educational options different than those offered by public schools,” School Choice Wisconsin Vice President Carol Shires said.
The nearly 61,000 choice students this year is up from less than 34,000 in the 2016-2017 school year.
And, Shires said, the new record-high comes just as Wisconsin’s choice school enrollment cap expires.
“Lawmakers in Madison should continue to prioritize protecting these private-school options for all students,” she said.
But there are also warnings about the limits of choice school enrollment growth.
Quinton Klabon with the Institute for Reforming Government said choice schools will soon face the same demographic challenges that traditional public schools are facing.
He said the “baby bust” from the 2008 recession has arrived, and all schools will see enrollments fall because there are simply fewer school-aged children.
“School choice supporters and opponents alike have projected rapid, continued growth, but new data suggest the programs are affected by declining birth rates, school participation, or parent choices,” IRG noted.
“School choice supporters cannot be complacent,” Klabon said. “Informing parents, expanding high-quality schools, and protecting schools from hostile red tape are high priorities. Otherwise, the baby bust will close choice schools.”
The new enrollment numbers show Milwaukee’s choice program added 235 students this year.
Racine’s school choice program lost 14 students, and the state’s special needs choice program gained 419. But it was the statewide school choice program that saw the largest enrollment increases. The Wisconsin Parental Choice Program added 1,814 students this fall.
