K-12 education: Families have choices

National School Choice Week runs Jan. 25-31, 2026, offering families a chance to explore educational options at a time when more parents than ever are looking for alternatives.

Record number of parents searched for new schools in 2025
According to a national survey of 3,960 U.S. parents conducted by the National School Choice Awareness Foundation, a record 46 million U.S. parents considered finding a new K-12 school for at least one of their children in 2025, marking a five-year high in school-search activity.
The survey found that 75% of parents of school-aged children considered, searched for, or enrolled a child in a new or different school last year, up from 60% the year before. About 21% of parents — roughly 13.3 million nationwide, or one in five parents — ultimately enrolled at least one child in a new learning environment.
“Over the past five years, more than 30 states have expanded public and private learning options for families, and new and nontraditional learning environments have opened their doors,” said Andrew Campanella, CEO of the National School Choice Awareness Foundation, which conducted the survey and organizes National School Choice Week. “As a result, exercising education options is no longer a niche exception, but an expectation for many parents.”

School-search activity spanned a wide range of outcomes, according to the survey. Twenty-three percent of parents considered new schools but did not actively search, while 31% searched but did not enroll a child. Parents living in cities, higher-income households, and younger parents were more likely to search, while parents in small towns and rural communities were more likely to follow through with enrollment once they began the process.
Most parents who enrolled their children in new schools said their decisions were driven by practical factors rather than dissatisfaction alone. Common reasons included children entering school for the first time, moving between grade levels, or families relocating. Thirty-two percent cited dissatisfaction with a previous school as the primary reason for enrolling elsewhere.
Parents who enrolled said they prioritized student well-being when choosing a new school. Safety and a supportive school environment ranked highest, followed by a positive social environment and a particular educational theme or instructional approach, such as STEM, arts-focused, or faith-based education.
Parents who ultimately enrolled were more likely to engage directly with schools during their search, including visiting campuses in person, reviewing school websites, and speaking with administrators. Conversations with family members, friends, and other parents also played a role, as did open houses and school tours.
Despite high interest, many parents did not complete the enrollment process. More than half of U.S. parents considered or searched for a new school but did not enroll a child. The most common barriers included concerns about disrupting a child’s academic or social life, uncertainty about making the wrong decision, limited availability or waitlists, and transportation challenges.
Looking ahead, interest in school choice is expected to remain high. Nearly two-thirds (62%) of parents said they are likely to consider new schools for at least one of their children in 2026.

Wisconsin options
Parents in Wisconsin have many learning choices and the flexibility to choose from public, private, home, and nontraditional learning environments for their children.
Traditional public schools: Wisconsin offers more than 2,110 traditional public schools for K-12 students. These schools are run by school districts and do not charge tuition, and students are usually assigned to attend a public school in their neighborhood or region. The state allows parents to send their children to public schools in another district in many cases, and some districts allow in-district options, with placement decisions made locally and transportation rules varying.
Public charter schools: Wisconsin is home to more than 230 charter schools. Charter schools are tuition-free public schools allowed to determine many of their own policies and innovate within the public education system. These schools are widely available, and transportation policies vary by district.

Public magnet schools: Magnet schools are tuition-free public schools or programs that focus on specific themes, such as math, science, technology, or the performing arts. Wisconsin offers several magnet school choices across the state. Transportation policies vary by district.
Private schools: There are more than 900 private schools in Wisconsin, many of them parochial, combining a faith-based component alongside academics. Private schools charge tuition and set their own admissions policies. The state has several programs that help families afford private schooling. Private school vouchers in many cases cover most or all tuition costs and often total $6,000-$8,000 or more per year, depending on grade level and location.
Online learning: Wisconsin offers several full-time, tuition-free online schools, where students learn from qualified educators and collaborate with classmates via the internet, including Wisconsin Connections Academy and Wisconsin Virtual Academy.
Homeschooling: Parents have the freedom to homeschool their children in Wisconsin. Families who want to educate their children at home must file an annual notice of intent and teach certain subjects but do not have to use standardized tests. Homeschooled students may be eligible to participate in sports, activities, or classes at local public schools.
Nontraditional education: Microschools are small group learning environments often established by families or educators to respond to local needs. Microschooling in Wisconsin includes small innovative private schools and microschool-style options. Examples include Acton Academy Madison West.