St. Mary’s Springs Academy has participated in the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP) since 2013. The private school voucher program gives students whose families meet the income qualifications, the opportunity to attend SMSA, tuition-free.

Returning families, APPLY EARLY for 2026-27 or you could lose your spot!

The Wisconsin Parental Choice Program is making major updates for 2026-2027

• DISTRICT CAPS – 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. This is the application method that has successfully been followed by Racine for years.

What Families Need to Know

• QUALIFY – Qualifying families are encouraged to apply.
• NEW APPLICANTS – Only incoming 4K, K5, 1st grade, freshmen and new public school transfer students are eligible as new applicants for WPCP at SMSA.
• RETURNING FAMILIES – All current voucher families (2025-26) 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 student(s) 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 SMSA during the same application window.

Critical Application and Reapplication Details

1. 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.
2. Submit Online Application
   Find it on the Wisconsin DPI website. First time applicants must also provide income verification.
3. Submit Documentation to SMSA
   Families must submit proof of residency to the school(s) they are applying to. New applicants must also submit income verification (scroll down to Documentation Details for more information). 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.
4. 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.
5. Conduct Lottery and Manage Waitlist
   If more verified students apply than there are available seats, schools will follow the state-established guidelines to conduct a random lottery and manage the waitlist (see the Preference Order listed below).

2026-2027 WPCP Monthly Application Windows

Income Requirements for 2026-2027

• For the 2026-27 school year, the family income of a student new to the choice program must be at or below the amount listed in the table.  
• Family size includes parents/legal guardians, children by birth, marriage, or adoption that reside in the same household.

2026-2027 WPCP Income Limits

Family Size  – Maximum Yearly Income*

1 – $34,430

2 – $46,530

3 – $58,630

4 – $70,730

5 – $82,830

6 – $94,930

For each additional family member, add $12,100

*As determined by the Adjusted Gross Income (AIG) on the federal income tax return for the prior calendar year (2025 for the 2026-2027 school year)

If the students’ parents/legal guardians reside in the same household and are married, their income is reduced by $7,000 from their combined total income. (Example) The total combined income of husband & wife is $70,000, deduct $7,000 from that income and compare the amount ($63,000) to the income limit for a family of four.  

• Family size includes parents/legal guardians, children by birth, marriage, or adoption that reside in the same household.

Documentation Details

• The Online Parent Application gives those who are required to provide income documentation two choices for providing proof of income:
• (1) providing your social security numbers or taxpayer identification numbers and having the Department of Revenue determine whether your student is income eligible OR
• (2) using the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) Income Determination method by answering a series of income questions in the online parent application. Generally, documentation must be submitted directly to the school(s) if the parent selects the DPI Income Determination method
• You will receive a confirmation email after you submit an application with information about the supporting documentation that must be provided to SMSA to complete the application process. All parents will be required to submit residency documentation and some parents will be required to submit income documentation
• Parents must provide supporting documentation directly to each school they apply to, as explained in the Online Parent Application and the confirmation email, during the open application period or the application is ineligible
• To submit your documentation to SMSA you can email Pat Winkler at pwinkler@smsacademy.org or bring it to SMSA at 255 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937

Accepted documents for proof of residency

• Governmental correspondence (property tax bill, Supplemental Security Income “SSI”, Wisconsin Works “W2” Cash Benefits, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families “TANF,” FoodShare “Food Stamps”, United States Postal Service (USPS) letter, or Housing Assistance letter)
• Current water, gas, or electric bill (dated within the last 90 days)
• Current Wage Statement (can be year end W2)
• For additional options, click here

State-Established Preference Order

• The first time a family applies for a school voucher for their child is the only time your income will be verified.  If your child is selected to receive a school voucher you will not be required to verify your income in the subsequent years. 
• Once a voucher is granted to a student the voucher will follow the student every year through graduation.
• If in subsequent years another child in the family is eligible to apply for a school voucher your income will have to meet the required income in that year.

A school may charge a student participating in WPCP items such as, but not limited to: 

• Uniforms 
• Gym clothes
• Extracurricular activities 
• Musical Instruments
• High School classes not required for graduation

• Once a student is enrolled in SMSA he or she is required to follow the school’s policies and procedures. 
• Parents should contact the school for a copy of its policies and procedures.

To begin the application process or find out more about the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program click the following link: 

• https://dpi.wi.gov/parental-education-options/choice-programs/student-applications

Stacey Akey
WPCP Administrator
(920) 322-8007
sakey@smsacademy.org

Pat Winkler
WPCP Designee
(920) 322-8046
pwinkler@smsacademy.org