Milwaukee Students Flee to Online Charter Schools

Choice is good

More than half the school districts in the four-county Milwaukee metro area saw enrollment decreases at the start of this school year, according to data released by the state last week that provides a preliminary count of kids in public schools this year.

But while many traditional districts adjust for fewer students, enrollment is up—way up—in some of Wisconsin's largest virtual charter schools, where students do most or all instruction online and don't need to live anywhere near the district where that school is located.