WI Parental Choice Program Open Enrollment for 2023-2024

The WPCP online application period will open February 1st, 2023 and close on Thursday April 20th, 2023.

The DPI requires current Choice families to fill out an application for the 2023-2024 school year. Filling out the application informs the DPI that you want to receive your Choice voucher for the following school year. If the DPI does not receive an application from a current Choice family the voucher will not be renewed.

New and current families must electronically submit their application at:

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

NEW families must be income eligible to apply. The following income limits have been posted for 2023-2024:

Family Size Maximum Yearly Income

1 $29,898

2 $40,282

3 $50,666

4 $61,050

5 $71,434

6 $81,818

For each additional member in a family add $10,384.

Family income includes the income of the student’s parent(s)/legal guardian(s) that reside in the same household as the student.

Current Choice families are not required to provide income documentation. Proof of residency documents are required for current and new families.

Information about WPCP can be found on the SMSA website.

Questions can be directed to:

Carol Ellestad: SMSA Choice Designee

cellestad@smsacademy.org or 920.322.8002.

Forward Exam Testing Window:  March 20th-March 31st

St. Mary’s Springs Academy is preparing for our students in 3rd – 8th grade as well as 10th grade to participate in the Wisconsin Forward Exam.  

The Forward Exam is designed to gauge how well students are doing in relation to the Wisconsin Academic Standards.  These standards outline what students should know and be able to do in order to be college and career ready. The Forward Exam is a Wisconsin computer-based exam that is administered in the spring of each school year at the grade levels seen below:

• Grades 3-8 in ELA (English Language Arts) and Mathematics

• Grades 4 and 8 in Science 

• Grades 4, 8, and 10 in Social Studies

This year, testing at SMSA will take place during the weeks of March 20th and March 27th.  The Forward Exam must be administered in person and cannot be proctored virtually. We ask for our support by having your child(ren) attend school during the testing window.  

For more information, please review the Wisconsin DPI Forward Information Guide for Families.

Herb Herro Scholarship Now Accepting Applications 

The Herb Herro Scholarship is offered to current 8th grade SMSA students who intend to continue their SMSA journey in high school.

The scholarship is need-based, meaning that students/families must demonstrate financial need by way of completing the tuition assistance application once it opens on April 1st. Students must also complete an application (including an essay) and obtain two letters of recommendation.

This award is a four-year commitment, typically anywhere from a 1/4 scholarship to a full-scholarship, renewable each year.  Recipients are required to maintain a quarterly 3.0 grade point average, complete 20 annual hours of community service, and show active participation in their parish to maintain their award from year to year.

Applications are confidential and managed in the SMSA Advancement and Business Offices. A special committee will read these applications, and if selected to move on to the next round, students will be called in for a formal interview with our panel. If selected to interview, we will share more information about the date, location and time via email.

Please return your completed application and two letters of recommendation by Friday, March 31 at noon. These can be emailed to Katie Tank in the SMSA Advancement Office or mailed/delivered to:

St. Mary’s Springs Academy

Attn: Katie Tank

255 County Road K

Fond du Lac, WI 54937

Click here to download the Herb Herro Scholarship Application

Click here to download the Herb Herro Scholarship Recommendation Form