Three private schools in Kewaunee County are experiencing growth this school year for a variety of different reasons. Enrollment at private schools statewide has increased since the state began offering a voucher program in 2013. Father Dan Schuster says his parishes’ schools at St. Mary’s in Luxemburg and Holy Trinity in Casco have grown in part because of the program, but also because of the quality of their staff.
Pastor John Moll of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church says his school is not eligible for the voucher program, but believes word of mouth about its preschool program has been able to keep families throughout their pre-high school years.
The growth at the three schools comes at a time when a UW Applied Population Lab report shows an overall drop in K-12 enrollment. The report places the blame on declining birth rates, an aging population, and families moving out of state for the decline.
