Editor’s note: This story is the fourth in a six-part series.

SOMERS, Wis. – Students may be the direct beneficiaries of Racine’s new school choice initiative, but it’s called a “parental” choice program for a reason.

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High school sophomore Danae Sanchez discovered why during the waning days of her 2011 summer vacation.

At the time, Sanchez was looking forward to her freshman year at the local public high school with her friends.

Her parents had other ideas, however.

They had applied for a school voucher from the Racine Parental Choice Program, which Gov. Scott Walker had signed into law earlier that summer.

Just as the new school year was beginning, Sanchez learned she was accepted into the choice program and would be transferring to Shoreland Lutheran High School, a private Christian school located in Somers.

It was the fulfillment of a long-held goal – for Sanchez’s parents, that is.

For many years they had wanted to send their daughter to a private school, but it was financially out of reach, says Martha Torres, Sanchez’s mother.

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“There were a lot of problems at the other (public) school – fighting, low academics,” Torres says.

Sanchez wasn’t thrilled at the idea of leaving all her friends behind and beginning high school as the new kid in class, but her parents weren’t open to debating the matter.

“My parents want me to succeed in life,” Sanchez says. “They told me, ‘This school is going to benefit you later on. You may not think it now, but you’ll appreciate it later.’”

Sanchez may have been unconvinced by that age-old line of parental reasoning, but she took consolation in knowing that her cousin, Jocelyne Mendoza, was also accepted into the Racine Parental Choice Program and would join her at Shoreland Lutheran High School.

Mendoza was also reluctant to switch schools and only did so at her parents’ insistence.

“I didn’t know this school existed until the school choice program,” she says.

Mendoza explains that her parents chose the Christian school for her because they didn’t like the rough and sometimes dangerous atmosphere of the Racine Unified school system.

“My parents were concerned about the culture of the public school,” the high school sophomore says. “They were afraid I’d go bad.”

‘I see the value already’

Starting high school is a nerve-wracking experience for most kids, but it was especially awkward for Shoreland’s first group of vouchers students.

Because the Racine choice program was brand new, it took until late August before families were notified that they were accepted into the program. That meant Sanchez and Mendoza – along with Shoreland’s other 24 voucher students – weren’t able to sign up for classes until their first day of school, making it painfully obvious to all who the newcomers were.

That first semester was a lonely time for the cousins, but things started looking up when the pair decided to join the cheerleading squad halfway through their first year. The afterschool activity introduced them to more people and they steadily became more comfortable with their new school and classmates.

That was a year ago. Today, Sanchez and Mendoza are excited about being part of Shoreland and have no desire to leave. They’ve gotten to know virtually all 300 students in the school, and they say the emphasis on Christian values creates a better atmosphere.

“There was a lot of yelling and screaming at the other school, but there’s no fighting here,” Mendoza says.

Sanchez agrees, adding that Shoreland has “less drama” than her previous school.

Both say the smaller setting makes it easier to ask for academic help from teachers.

Sanchez and Mendoza are so happy with their new school that they’ve even told some of their public school friends to consider transfering to Shoreland.

They’re not the only ones with positive reviews for the school. Torres credits Shoreland for the positive changes she has seen in her daughter.

“She’s more confident, she’s getting better grades,” Torres explains. “She’s thinking in the right way. She’s doing better.”

Shoreland Principal Paul Scriver says he’s been hearing similar endorsements from other school choice families.

“They’re extremely happy and thankful to be here,” Scriver says. “Up to this point, the choice program has been a real blessing. It’s allowed about 25 more kids to be here who otherwise wouldn’t. It’s making a difference in the lives of kids, and that’s the most important thing.”

He wonders if some of the students realize how good they have it at the school.

Sanchez certainly does. She already agrees with her parents that switching schools was the right move.

“I see the value already,” Sanchez says.

Mendoza appreciates Shoreland, too, though she occasionally wonders how her life would be different if she had stayed at the public school.

“I feel like I’m missing out on some stuff by coming to a smaller, private school,” she says. “But maybe it’s not good stuff I’m missing out on.”