QUALIFY
Qualifying families are encouraged to apply.
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Wisconsin Parental Choice Program
The Wisconsin Parental Choice Program is making major updates for 2026-2027.
Returning Families, please APPLY EARLY or you might lose your seat!
- DISTRICT CAPS - School district enrollment caps are being removed.
- NEW APPLICATION WINDOWS - Monthly application windows will now be used (see the table below for dates). Each month, applications will be verified and Choice seats assigned.
What Families Need to Know:
NEW APPLICANTS
Students entering PK 4, Kindergarten, or 1st grade, and/or those transferring from another public school or home school at any grade level are eligible as new applicants for WPCP.
RETURNING FAMILIES
All current voucher 25-26 families must reapply on the DPI website for the 2026-2027 school year.
- You are strongly encouraged to apply in the February window so that your students will be in the highest priority preference order while all Choice seats are still available. Every month, the number of available seats will be reduced as applications are verified.
- Submit your application on the DPI website and then bring your proof of residency to St. Mark during the same application window.
Application Periods
| Application Period | Application Open Date | Application Closing Date |
| February | February 2, 2026 | February 20, 2026 |
| March | March 1, 2026 | March 20, 2026 |
| April | April 1, 2026 | April 20, 2026 |
| May | May 1, 2026 | May 20, 2026 |
| June | June 1, 2026 | June 22, 2026 |
| July | July 1, 2026 | July 20, 2026 |
| August | August 1, 2026 | August 20, 2026 |
| September | September 1, 2026 | September 14, 2026 |
WPCP Eligibility Chart for the 2026-2027 School Year
| Family Size | Max. Yearly Adjusted Gross Income (Single) | Max. Yearly Adjusted Gross Income (Married) |
| 2 | $46,530 | N/A |
| 3 | $58,630 | $65,630 |
| 4 | $70,730 | $77,730 |
| 5 | $82,830 | $88,830 |
| 6 | $94,930 | $101,930 |
| For each additional member add $12,100 |
This program is based on your household's adjusted gross income, which can be reduced
by contributions to your traditional 401(k), traditional IRA and Health Savings Account (HSA).
If you have any questions regarding the Choice program or application process, please contact the school office.
Steps to Apply for Parental Choice at St. Mark
1. Fill out the online application through the WPCP website.
Note: An e-mail address is required to register. Communications on the status of applications and the steps necessary to complete them will be e-mailed to the parent or legal guardian.
Once an application is electronically submitted, the parent or guardian will be able to correct it online until the final day of the application period. Be sure to record the e-mail address and password that you use. Missing or incorrect information will cause problems processing applications and may cause a student to be ineligible.
2. Provide Proof of Residency. St. Mark must be given a copy of ONE of the following documents. It must be current and within the last 3 months of the month you apply in.
Note: An e-mail address is required to register. Communications on the status of applications and the steps necessary to complete them will be e-mailed to the parent or legal guardian.
Once an application is electronically submitted, the parent or guardian will be able to correct it online until the final day of the application period. Be sure to record the e-mail address and password that you use. Missing or incorrect information will cause problems processing applications and may cause a student to be ineligible.
2. Provide Proof of Residency. St. Mark must be given a copy of ONE of the following documents. It must be current and within the last 3 months of the month you apply in.
- Current water, gas, electric, cable, satellite, or landline phone bill. (Cell phone & internet bills are NOT acceptable).
- Property tax bill or current (signed and dated) lease agreement
- Current wage statement (can be a year-end W2)
- Recent government correspondence. Current benefits statements from access.wisconsin.gov
3. Families applying to the WPCP for the first time need to provide income documentation. St. Mark prefers that families select the DOR Method.
DOR Method (Preferred Method): Possibly provide your Social Security Number(s) of parents/guardians
DPI Method Documentation (Secondary Method): Acceptable documentation includes:
A copy of the first two pages of your 1040 Federal Income Tax Return for 2024. It needs to be signed and dated by the taxpayers.
-OR-
If your taxes are not completed, you may submit copies of all 2024 income documentation (employer W2s, 1099s, etc).
-OR-
If you do not file income tax, you must provide copies of all other income documentation for 2024 (social security statements, unemployment compensation statements, child support statements, etc).
**DPI or DOR?**
There are two methods by which families may determine their financial eligibility:
The DOR (Department of Revenue) method is St. Mark’s preferred one and requires the parent(s) to provide their social security numbers or taxpayer identification numbers during the online application. The parent enters these numbers into the state’s online system and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue determines income eligibility for the program.
The DPI (Department of Public Instruction) method is a series of income questions that are answered in the initial online application. Once completed, the parent(s) must provide hard copies of income documentation to Lakeside as directed in the application. The school then verifies that the student meets the WPCP’s income requirements.
What else should families do?
Know that when the application period closes, St. Mark must have all required income and residency documents in its possession. If these materials are not at Mark’s by the end of that school day, the WPCP application is ineligible. Submitting income and residency documentation well before the deadline makes it possible for us to follow up if necessary.
DOR Method (Preferred Method): Possibly provide your Social Security Number(s) of parents/guardians
DPI Method Documentation (Secondary Method): Acceptable documentation includes:
A copy of the first two pages of your 1040 Federal Income Tax Return for 2024. It needs to be signed and dated by the taxpayers.
-OR-
If your taxes are not completed, you may submit copies of all 2024 income documentation (employer W2s, 1099s, etc).
-OR-
If you do not file income tax, you must provide copies of all other income documentation for 2024 (social security statements, unemployment compensation statements, child support statements, etc).
**DPI or DOR?**
There are two methods by which families may determine their financial eligibility:
The DOR (Department of Revenue) method is St. Mark’s preferred one and requires the parent(s) to provide their social security numbers or taxpayer identification numbers during the online application. The parent enters these numbers into the state’s online system and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue determines income eligibility for the program.
The DPI (Department of Public Instruction) method is a series of income questions that are answered in the initial online application. Once completed, the parent(s) must provide hard copies of income documentation to Lakeside as directed in the application. The school then verifies that the student meets the WPCP’s income requirements.
What else should families do?
Know that when the application period closes, St. Mark must have all required income and residency documents in its possession. If these materials are not at Mark’s by the end of that school day, the WPCP application is ineligible. Submitting income and residency documentation well before the deadline makes it possible for us to follow up if necessary.
As a participant in the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program, St. Mark Lutheran is required to annually communicate the release of the DPI School Report Cards for our school along with a list of all educational options available to families in the state.
DPI School Report Card
The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) creates School Report Cards and District Report Cards for publicly funded schools and districts in the state. Report cards for private schools participating in the choice program are required by law. The Report Cards are intended to help schools see a clear picture of how well they are preparing students to be ready for the next educational step – including the next grade level, graduation, college, and careers. St. Mark's All-School Report Cards, as well as those of all other Wisconsin public and private schools participating in Choice programs, are available through the DPI website link below.
DPI School Report Card
The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) creates School Report Cards and District Report Cards for publicly funded schools and districts in the state. Report cards for private schools participating in the choice program are required by law. The Report Cards are intended to help schools see a clear picture of how well they are preparing students to be ready for the next educational step – including the next grade level, graduation, college, and careers. St. Mark's All-School Report Cards, as well as those of all other Wisconsin public and private schools participating in Choice programs, are available through the DPI website link below.