The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction awarded $18.5 million in federal subgrants to support the planning, opening and expansion of 27 charter schools across the state.
This marks the third round of funding under a U.S. Department of Education grant designed to strengthen and grow charter school opportunities in Wisconsin. Subgrants were awarded through a competitive application process and support three focus areas: planning and implementation for new charter schools opening in fall 2027; implementation funding for schools that recently opened or are set to open in 2026; and expansion grants for existing, high-quality charter schools.
The department plans to apply for supplemental funds from the U.S. Department of Education.  If the department is awarded these additional funds, it intends to hold a fourth round of competition in the 2026-27 school year. Applicants interested in applying in any future rounds of competition held can find more details on the DPI’s Charter Schools webpage. View a full list of the 2026 charter school subgrantees.
Northeast Wisconsin schools receiving grants are:
- $880,000 Fond du Lac School District Cardinal Connect,
- $1.2 million School District of West De Pere Phantom Academy,
- $4.48 million Appleton Area School District Stephen Foster Elementary Charter School,
- $800,000 Hayward Community School District Northern Waters Environmental School,
- $640,000 Menasha Joint School District Fox Valley Virtual School,
- $960,000 Appleton Area School District Fox Cities Leadership Academy
