As a result of state legislation that recently passed, Racine is now able to participate in the School Choice Program, a program that has been available to Milwaukee residents for 20 years. There were flyers that were sent out throughout Racine inviting parents to come to an informational event held on Sunday July 31 from 11am-4pm at Kurt Sports Complex in Racine. The event gave parents the opportunity to learn more about the program, talk to schools and get application packets to take home.

Hispanics For School Choice was present to assists parents with questions about the program and the application process. Five schools that are participating in the School Choice Program in Racine were present to meet and talk to families about their school. Those schools were Trinity Lutheran, Wisconsin Lutheran, Shoreland Lutheran, Mt. Pleasant Renaissance School and St John Fisher Academy. These schools were also planning on attending the DeKoven Center the following day along with three other schools that are participating in the program (John Paul II, St. Joseph School and Our Lady of Grace) to take applications and enroll children for the coming school year.

There were lots of families that came who were excited about the possibilities of sending their children to a private school. Many of them expressed their desire in seeing their children get a quality education and wanted to take advantage of the options now available to them. By the time the event ended at 4pm, we had 122 families come to event to inquire about the program, meet with the schools and take application packets with them. Many of them were planning on going to the meeting the following day to apply to the School Choice program and enroll in their children in the schools that are participating.!