It has become clear, particularly in Beloit where schools have been closed for in-person learning for almost a year, that parents need to seek alternatives to public schools as long as teacher’s unions are running the show.
You pay property taxes (yes even if you rent, the taxes are built into your rent) and a large percentage of your annual property taxes are for public schools. If schools refuse to open then take your business elsewhere. The money goes with the student. With homeschooling, the money does not follow the student but the school district that refuses to open also doesn’t get the money if you pull your student out.
Keep in mind, if you want your local school to open and they refuse but you continue to stay enrolled, they still get the full funding for your student, whether they open their doors to your child or not. If you want to pressure them to open, enroll your student elsewhere.
The options listed below are open to everyone. Other than homeschooling, they are limited by capacity. You can literally try all four of the options listed below and then depending on where your child is accepted, you can make your choices and turn down the rest. Fortunately, homeschooling is an excellent alternative if all else fails.
Charter School – Lincoln Academy (Enrollment Window Feb 1-28)
Enroll in Lincoln Academy here
Lincoln Academy (Beloit) You can enroll February 1-28. The first year will just be K4-2 and 7-9 grade. There is no cost to attend here if you are accepted. Classes are limited to 50 students. If more than 50 applications are received, a completely random lottery will be held. Students with siblings enrolled or students with a parent employed by Lincoln will have enrollment priority.
Learn more about Lincoln here
Apply for a job at Lincoln Academy here
School Choice Vouchers: (Application Window Feb 1-April 15)
Apply for School Choice Here
If you are interested sending your children to a private school in Rock County but you don’t think you can afford it, apply for school choice vouchers. It’s a lot of fancy talk for “the state pays your tuition to a private school.” The program you would apply to is called the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program or statewide program (WPCP – Wisconsin Parental Choice Program). Parents have to apply every year and provide income documentation.
School choice is limited by the family income, limited to 5% of the district’s enrollment and is also limited by the availability of the school itself. Supporting documentation is provided by you directly to the schools so be prepared to contact the school after you complete your online School Choice application.
School Choice FAQ
List of Schools participating in school choice
Income Limits: Ignore the MPCP/RPCP column – that is for Milwaukee and Racine. WPCP is the rest of the state including Rock County.
Open Enrollment: (Enrollment Window Feb 1-April 30)
Apply for Open Enrollment here
If you live in Beloit where schools may never open for in-person learning again, look to neighboring school districts or even other virtual programs throughout the state. There is no tuition cost for the student but the family is responsible for transportation. The non-resident district can deny the application, most often because of space availability.
You are allowed to apply to up to 3 schools so definitely apply to all 3. You never know who will approve or deny your request or how your circumstances will change. There is no harm in doing it. You can even take your chances with a school like Beloit-Turner that is notoriously difficult to get into. You never know if a spot will open up. You will get a letter from the schools sometime in June letting you know if your child was accepted and then you will have 30 days or so to confirm if you want your child to attend.
If you want to explore a virtual charter school with more experience in virtual learning or different offerings than your local public school, there are many options throughout the state. They usually offer field trips and other events where your child can meet up with other students and teachers from their class. Some will give you a significant portion of the student funding back as a credit that you can use for music lessons, gym memberships for PE classes, computer equipment and anything else that can be considered educational.
Open Enrollment FAQ
Virtual Charter Schools in WI
Homeschooling: (Enroll year-round if pulling from public school or by October 15 each year)
Enroll in Homeschooling Here (PI-1206)
Homeschooling isn’t what it used to be. Stereotypes of religious fanatics or strict parents that only want to shelter their kids from reality are a distant memory. Homeschooling is a rich and wonderful choice that allows students to pursue thier passions and amazing flexibility for family travel and scheduling. It allows parents of young children to continue to bond, free from negative influences while providing a loving, quality education. I promise it’s easier than you think.
Another post-Covid benefit of homeschooling is that you wont have to worry about your child being forced to wear a mask 8 hours a day.
Here’s how you do it:
Fill out the the PI-1206 on or before October 15 every year (or as soon as you un-enroll your child from public school) This is required if your child will be six years old on or before September 1, but not if they are younger.
Provide 875 hours of instruction a year. That comes out to around 2.5 hours a day if you do it year round. The curriculum is up to you. You can purchase an expensive curriculum new, buy a used curriculum, or make your own. You can even unschool. Wisconsin has amazing homeschooling laws.
This is not designed to be a homeschooling guide or resource but just to put the idea in your head that it is very likely that the education and experiences you are able to provide for your child will be far better than what they will receive in a public school.
There are many homeschool meet up groups online for play, hiking, game nights, bonfires etc. If socialization is a concern, don’t let it be. With minimal effort, your child can have a fun filled social life without the constraints of public school.
Here are the resources to begin your homeschooling journey. Be warned, homeschooling parents are enthusiastic and this can be a fun rabbit hole to go down.
DPI homeschool FAQ
DPI Home Based Education Statutes
Home School Legal Defense Association: Start here for a homeschooling overview. Consider a membership if you start homeschooling.
Wisconsin Homeschooling Parents Association: Spend some time on this site if you are going to homeschool in WI. Learn the history of homeschooling and why we have some of the best homeschooling laws in the country (and what you should do to help protect those rights)
The Homeschool Mom: Everything you could possibly want to know about homeschooling
Did we miss anything? Leave a comment below if you have more information, want to recommend a virtual school, or you have some homeschooling advice.
