Seven Racine-Area Schools Accepting Vouchers

It's official now. Seven area schools turned in their applications to the Department of Public Instruction by the Aug. 1 deadline.

While these schools still need accreditation by Sept. 1, according to a story on jsonline.com, the following schools are expected to welcome school choice students this fall:

• John Paul II Academy
• Mount Pleasant Renaissance School
• Our Lady of Grace Academy
• Saint John Fisher Academy
• Saint Joseph School
• Trinity Lutheran School
• Wisconsin Lutheran School
• Shoreland Lutheran

Students must live in the Racine Unified area and come from families that earn up to 300 percent of the poverty level.

Families that want to apply for school choice have until Aug. 20 or until the cap of 250 students is reached, whichever comes first.

If interested, parents should have the following documents for the application as listed on The Racine Journal Times website:

• 2010 Income Tax return, Tax ID number or Social Security Number for income verification

• Proof of Racine Unified residence like a lease, utility bill, government program letter

If more applications are received than spots available, families living at or below 185 percent of the poverty level will be given preference. There may also be a lottery held on Aug. 27.