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 Cheryl Bowen is raising her three grandchildren: Lonnie Bowens, Lonshay Bowens, and Camille Bowens. All three are enrolled in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program and attend St. Rafael Catholic School. Lonnie previously attended Prince of Peace Catholic School.
“My grandchildren always went to Milwaukee public schools. Neither of my kids graduated from high school so I thought maybe I’d do things differently this time.”
“My own children did fine in elementary school but when they got to middle school that was the beginning of problems. There was no way I could get them into private schools because they were not about to go to a school with strict rules. So, I just thought it was better for my grandchildren to get that discipline right from the very beginning.”
“Without the choice program, there is no way my grandchildren could go to a private school. I’m hoping the choice program will help them get a good solid education and help them understand that you have to follow rules. I like that they teach religious values so the kids know what you need to do to live a good life.”
“I like the idea of more discipline and smaller class sizes and the fact that they wear uniforms at St. Raphael.”
“The teachers there are really dedicated. Obviously, they could all make more money somewhere else. So, they want to be there. And, the families are more involved. Not all the kids are in the choice program. Some parents are paying to send there kids there so they are really involved in what is going on.”
“My grandson just completed first grade and I can’t believe how well he can read. He is an excellent reader. He does will in math. They are teaching him Spanish.”
“It’s a very integrated school, which I like. I’m white, my children are biracial and my grandchildren are black. There are a lot of Spanish and Hmong families and biracial families. I think that’s good because that’s the real world.”
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