My wife and I are proud members of St. Marcus Lutheran Church in Milwaukee on Palmer and North.  In addition to a vibrant congregation, St. Marcus accounts for one of the real ongoing education success stories in Milwaukee.  The school includes 330 students and 45 staff, all of whom are committed to excellence.

As a recent WPRI article points out, 85% of the students are categorized as school-choice.  The article also points out that St. Marcus educates students for around $7,500 per-pupil, or roughly $5,500 less than MPS.

Recent moves by Democrats in Congress prove just how strong their attachment is to teachers unions.  Not only are Democrats not willing to permit the growth of school choice nation-wide, but many are even willing to kill programs that for the most part have been a success.  In fact, right in the District of Columbia Democrats are attempting to kill the school choice program which assists over 1,700 low-income children receive a chance at a better future.

With Democrats in control at all levels in Wisconsin and national Democrats making clear their intentions for school choice, it will be increasingly important that Wisconsin conservatives continue to spread the news of Milwaukee’s success stories, especially like those at St. Marcus.

As Superintendent Tyson at St. Marcus notes:

“Urban education is not rocket science. Our model is largely stolen. People who are serious about school reform need to ask themselves why St. Marcus is more successful than most inner-city public schools at about half the cost,” Tyson says.
“What we do here works. We should be replicating what works, but society has chosen not to.”

Henry is absolutely right.  And it is our responsibility to fight any attempts to suffocate successful measures while at the same time encouraging the replication of success and not failure.

If you are interested in learning more about St. Marcus or any of the many ways in which you can help out, please don’t hesitate to contact me.