MPS, Mayor Hail Success of ‘Adopt-A-School’
Volunteer program helped increase student attendance and engagement, officials say.
City leaders gathered at Clarke Street School to celebrate the inaugural year of Adopt-A-School. Photo taken June 9, 2026 by Sophie Bolich.
From Milwaukee City Hall to Milwaukee Public Schools, more than 100 workers spent time in classrooms over the past nine months as part of a new initiative aimed at improving academic outcomes and student well-being.
Adopt-A-School held 62 events across nine schools during its inaugural year, yielding a 1.7% attendance increase and a 7.4% decrease in disciplinary actions compared with the previous school year.
City leaders gathered at Clarke Street School on Tuesday morning to celebrate the results.
“Student attendance has increased by nearly 2% over the last year, and that’s no small feat,” said MPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius. “When students feel connected and they have trusted adults in the schools, they’re more likely to show up, and they also are more ready to learn.”
City workers from 14 departments participated in Adopt-A-School’s monthly events, ranging from literacy initiatives to community cleanups. “Every single month, their dedicated team brought laughter, energy and a true heart to serve us here at Clarke,” said principal Shunda Davis. “They didn’t just show up, they transformed our culture.”
Volunteers contributed a total of 326 hours at sites including Clarke, the Barack Obama School of Career and Technical Education, Dr. Benjamin Carson Academy of Science, the Benjamin Franklin School, Elm Creative Arts School, Hartford University School, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School, the Milwaukee Sign Language School and Sherman Multicultural Arts School.
The program comes from the Kids Cabinet, a group of city, district and community leaders formed in 2025 that meets quarterly to coordinate efforts between city departments and public schools. Mayor Cavalier Johnson and Cassellius are co-chairs of the group.
“Our partnership doesn’t always make headlines, but it shows up in the places that matter the most for our kids — in attendance and literacy, and with students who know we believe in them and that we believe in their future,” Johnson said.
Canyla Cassidy, an eighth-grader at Clarke, said she felt “happy and appreciated” while working with city volunteers. “It makes the students feel better, and it also makes them want to be here more every day.”
Tuesday’s event also highlighted the Milwaukee Health Department‘s lead remediation efforts in MPS schools, the City of Milwaukee Election Commission‘s “I Voted Early” sticker design contest and the City’s Hello Summer initiative, which connects families with free and low-cost summer opportunities throughout Milwaukee.
Health Department Commissioner Mike Totoraitis, Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman, Milwaukee Election Commission Deputy Director Maricha Harris and representatives of the Milwaukee Public Library gave brief remarks. James Ferguson II, vice president of the Milwaukee Board of School Directors, and Brian D. Litzsey, senior director for Milwaukee Recreation, were also in attendance.
Cassellius said she looks forward to continued results next school year as the program grows.
“We are excited to continue — and potentially even expand — this Adopt-A-School partnership so that we can reach even more students next year,” she said. “On behalf of the district, I want to express my incredible gratitude to the dedicated City of Milwaukee employees who consistently showed up for our students and made a real difference in their lives.”
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