St. Catherine's High School Will Not Accept Vouchers

Racine Unified parents who were hoping this fall to send their high school freshman to St. Catherine's High School with a school choice voucher will have to wait or try another school.

Christopher Olley, president of the school, said today, July 22, that while school officials see value in the program, they're going to adopt a "wait and see" policy for now.

According to a story in The Racine Journal Times, a release from St. Catherine's stated there just wasn't enough time to fully educate and inform teachers and the Board of Directors.

Private schools have until Aug. 1 to tell the state whether or not they will participate in the voucher program. School choice is available for the 2011-2012 school year for 250 Racine students who are incoming freshman even if they already attend private school. Vouchers are issued for $6,442.

The program expands to 500 students in 2012-2013, with first preference given to low-income or underserved students if there are more applicants than there are scholarships. Caps are removed for subsequent years.

Some state officials have expressed their dismay over the voucher program, saying it takes money away from Racine Unified School District when the schools can least afford it. But others say this is a step forward that helps parents make the best education decisions for their children.

Racine Lutheran, the only other faith-based high school in the area, will accept a small number of voucher students this fall. The Prairie School is not going to admit students with vouchers at this time.