Milwaukee Academy of Science Receives $700k Grant From Burke Foundation
MILWAUKEE, WI — Milwaukee Academy of Science (MAS) is proud to announce it has received a $700,000 capital grant from The Burke Foundation to support the creation of four specialized workforce development labs on its newly expanded fourth floor. This transformative investment will provide MAS students with hands-on, career-connected learning opportunities aligned to high-demand industries in the Milwaukee region.
The new labs will serve as immersive learning environments focused on health sciences, skilled trades, engineering and manufacturing, technology, and teaching, equipping students with industry-recognized credentials, work-based learning experiences, and clear pathways to family-sustaining careers.
“This investment from The Burke Foundation is a powerful affirmation of what our students are capable of when given access, opportunity, and belief,” said Anthony McHenry, CEO of Milwaukee Academy of Science. “These labs are not just classrooms, they are launchpads. They will change the trajectory of our students’ lives by reducing barriers between graduation and meaningful employment.”
The project is part of MAS’s broader Workforce Development Pipeline, a multi-phase initiative designed to bridge the gap between education and employment by embedding career readiness directly into the high school experience. Phase I will launch a Health Sciences Lab and a Skilled Trades Lab, followed by Phase II with a Technology Lab and an Engineering & Teaching Lab, all developed in collaboration with industry and higher education partners.
Construction of the 20,000+ square-foot fourth-floor expansion was led by Gilbane Building Company, supported by more than $1.5 million in donated labor and materials from 18 trade partners. Program launch will begin in Spring 2026, with full implementation completed by Fall 2026.
With 97% of MAS students identifying as Black and living in economically disadvantaged households, this initiative directly aligns with The Burke Foundation’s mission to transform the lives of youth through leadership and education. The program is expected to serve approximately 200 students annually, with goals including credential attainment, dual-enrollment participation, and post-graduation employment or continued education.
By aligning education with real workforce needs, MAS is building a replicable model for high school-based workforce development that strengthens both student outcomes and Milwaukee’s economic future.
About Milwaukee Academy of Science
Founded in 2000, Milwaukee Academy of Science (MAS) is a K4–12 public charter school serving over 1,900 students across two campuses. MAS provides a rigorous, STEM-focused education to students from Milwaukee’s most underserved communities. For 11 years in a row, 100% of MAS seniors have graduated and been accepted to college, positioning MAS as a leader in educational equity, innovation, and opportunity.
About The Burke Foundation
The Burke Foundation is committed to transforming the lives of youth through leadership and education opportunities, with a focus on initiatives that strengthen community vitality and expand access to high-quality learning experiences.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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Hummmmm Since the Choice and Charter Schools are in DIRECT competition with MPS where is the equal support for MPS It is one thing for the Medical College of Wisconsin to support the MAS but the Medical College of WI also should support MPS since there are 5,000+ MPS students who have what the Medical College is finally calling Invisible Wounds from the abuse those students have suffered in the multiple way that children are abused. MPS needs therapy clinics for their students NOT Police with guns in their schools
I think it is a good investment for a school based workforce development in Wisconsin. $10,000,000, a rather modest sum, was in the last State budget but was taken out by Republicans. Wisconsin Manufacturing and Commerce is always talking about the need for such programs but never demands that programs like this be funded for public schools in the State budget. They do support $700,000,000 for Wisconsin’s School Choice program in the budget. On another note, the claim by that “For 11 years in a row, 100% of MAS seniors have graduated and been accepted to college,” is pretty absurd. Great Schools, an online service that reports data from most every school in the county that is supported by the realty industry, has Milwaukee Academy of Science with an 87% graduation rate and rates it on a 10 point school as 3, below average.