MPS fall applications double as “Three-Choice” enrollment opens

MILWAUKEE (February 6, 2015) – More than 700 families submitted their fall enrollment application for Milwaukee Public Schools at the very first opportunity: the district’s All-School Enrollment Fair this past weekend.

That’s roughly double the number of applications received on the same day last year.

The fair marked the opening of the district’s “Three-Choice Enrollment” period, which is now open and runs through Feb. 20, 2015.
Families new to MPS or looking for a new school for the fall are invited and encouraged to enroll now for the best opportunity at their first-choice school.

Enrollment applications taken during “Three-Choice” allow families to choose three schools for the fall. Families can fill out an application online at http://mpsmke.com/EnrollMPS, at the MPS school of their choice, at MPS District Parent Resource Centers located at North Division and South Division high schools or at MPS Central Services, 5225 W. Vliet Street, Milwaukee 53208.

Families still looking for the right school for their child can use the new ‘Find A School’ function on the district’s website — http://mps.milwaukee.k12.wi.us — to see schools near them, with the grade level they’re seeking and with the programs they want for their children. The site contains information about all the academic, extracurricular and athletic opportunities at each and every MPS school.

School options include strong neighborhood schools that prepare students to succeed in college and careers as well as specialty schools focused on Advanced Placement coursework, the arts, bilingual education, Career and Technical Education, Gifted and Talented education, rigorous International Baccalaureate college preparatory programming, language immersion and Montessori education.

“We’ve seen more of our students meeting reading standards and our schools are committed to continuing to improve outcomes,” MPS Superintendent Dr. Darienne Driver said. “Filling out your Three-Choice Enrollment application now gives families the opportunity to connect with a school that meets the needs of their children.”

All applications received during the Three-Choice period (and at the All-School Enrollment Fair) are treated equally and if there are more students applying at a given school than there are seats, a random selection determines enrollment. Families in the attendance area are given preference at neighborhood schools during Three-Choice. Families will receive notification of the results of their Three-Choice application in mid-March and more than 90% of families receive one of their three choices.

After Three-Choice ends February 20, applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

This year’s Three-Choice Enrollment period comes as more MPS students are meeting reading standards, its 2014 graduating class earned $31 million in scholarships and the district is committed to improve outcomes through a number of significant efforts:

• The district continues its work to create more high-performing schools and expand successful and popular programs. Examples include more seats at top-ranked Ronald Reagan College Preparatory High School and the new high school at highly-rated Golda Meir School.

• MPS is transforming underperforming schools into high-performing schools through its Commitment Schools initiative. The district is implementing rigorous academic and behavioral interventions at Commitment Schools so students achieve greater college and career readiness.

• MPS GE Foundation Schools are models for the rigorous Common Core state Standards and collaborative learning that can be studied and replicated by other MPS schools.

• MPS is part of a unique 5-in-1 Collaborative to bring the energy of the district together with major partners Northwestern Mutual, City Year, Teach for America and Schools That Can Milwaukee to pursue academic excellence at Carver Academy with the goal of making the school a model of success.

• MPS is working closely with Milwaukee Succeeds on a pilot program focused on foundational reading skills for students at teacher coaching at Gwen T. Jackson and Clarke Street schools. Early findings show encouraging results and promising growth.

• MPS provides Parent Coordinators in each school to strengthen the bonds between schools and families because parents are students’ first and most important teachers.

• All MPS schools now have School Support Teachers to drive improved instruction by supporting school-based professional development and working to identify and grow excellence in teaching.

• MPS is also recognized as a leader for its work to increase college and career readiness, including its two College Access Centers and a growing number of schools using rigorous Project Lead the Way curriculum. MPS has the largest urban PLTW program in the country.

• The district is committed to building its leadership pipeline to better prepare innovative, effective and energetic staff for leadership roles and to strengthen teacher and school leader performance through the Educator Effectiveness system of feedback, support and evaluation.

About Milwaukee Public Schools

Milwaukee Public Schools is committed to accelerating student achievement, building positive relationships between youth and adults and cultivating leadership at all levels. The district’s commitment to improvement continues to show results:

• More MPS students are meeting reading standards
• The MPS Class of 2014 earned $31 million in scholarships, up $7 million; and
• MPS is home to 4 of the state’s top 15 high schools according to U.S. News and World Report

Learn more about MPS by visiting http://mps.milwaukee.k12.wi.us/en/District/About-MPS.htm. More MPS news is available at http://mps.milwaukee.k12.wi.us/news.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.