St. Paul's Lutheran School

An update from Principal Buss, 1/21/22

"St. Paul's Lutheran School in Menomonie has been offering quality Christian education for nearly 150 years. The time for enrollment for the next school year beginning in fall is now. We offer grades 3k-8 and many classrooms are already full.  There are very limited seats open in a handful of grades for open enrollment.  We offer both tuition and seats available through the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program, which pays full tuition for qualifying families. The enrollment period for WPCP begins on February 1 and runs through April 21. Completed 2021 Tax Information & proof of residency is needed to complete enrollment eligibility process for new applicants. Income eligibility set by the state program is based on a family's Adjusted Gross Income; see Income Guideline Chart below.

Families with a student enrolled in the program in 2021-22 need to re-apply and provide proof of residency within the enrollment window."

WPCP Eligibility Chart for the 2022-23 School Year

Adjusted Gross Income

Family Size                     Maximum Yearly Income (Single)                  Maximum Yearly Income (Married)

2                                            $38,324                                                                N/A

3                                            $48,312                                                                $55,312*

4                                            $58,300                                                                $65,300*

5                                            $68,288                                                                $75,288*

6                                            $78,276                                                                $85,276*

7                                            $88,264                                                                $95,264*

8                                            $98,252                                                                $105,252*

9                                            $108,240                                                              $115,240*

For each additional member add $9,988

 *NOTE - Figures listed in the right column will not be listed on the DPI site but reflect the $7,000 adjustment for married couples with children.

St. Paul’s Lutheran School, Menomonie WI

3K – grade 8

Summary of a conversation on 10/8/21 with Mr. Robert Buss, Principal.

(The info below is subject to change without notice.)

St. Paul’s is almost full for the ‘21-’22 school year. There are a few openings scattered throughout the grades. Their conservative values and classical curriculum (which includes NO common core math) have made them a popular choice for families. Currently, masking is optional.

Cost

St. Paul’s is the only school in Dunn County currently participating in the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (https://schoolchoicewi.org/.) This returns 2/3 of the tax dollars dedicated for each child’s education to the participating private school, resulting in free tuition as long as program participation continues. There are some exceptions to this. Students, except in the youngest grades, who transfer into the school at this point in the year do not qualify and WILL REMAIN UNQUALIFIED for the rest of their schooling with St. Paul’s. Regular tuition is $2,000 a year for church members and $3,240 for non-members.

Religion

Every student, even in 3K, attends one religious class period per day. The early years are dedicated to Bible stories and history. Beginning in 5th grade, Bible study continues but catechism and hymn studies are added. All students attend chapel on Wednesdays as part of the school day.

Currently the breakdown of students is approximately:

1/3 church members

1/3 members of other Christian churches

1/3 not members of any Christian church

Future changes

St. Paul’s Lutheran School is expanding rapidly. Enrollment this year is pushing 130 students, up from about 50 a few years ago. Next school year, the plan is to expand to include 9th graders, followed by 10th, etc. until all grades are included. This involves moving to some larger facilities and including Lutheran school students from the surrounding area (Eau Claire, Bloomer, etc.)

Suggested move-forward

If you are OK with paying full tuition, you can contact St. Paul’s immediately to see if the grades you need have openings for this school year. Currently 3K and 2nd grade have the most openings.

If you are able to wait until the ‘22 - ‘23 school year and would like to receive free tuition at that point, you will need to start the paperwork in February of 2022 with a firm deadline for all paperwork completed by April. It will likely be hard to get a spot. You should probably start talking to them now and try to get on a waiting list for next year. That will also let them know how much they need to expand at that time.

https://school.stpaulmenomonie.com/

School Principal, Bob Buss

bob.buss@stpaulmenomonie.com

St. Paul’s Lutheran School

1100 9th St. East, Menomonie, WI 54751

 715-235-9621