Milwaukee College Prep Celebrates Inaugural Promotion to Kindergarten for Its Youngest Scholars

MILWAUKEE, WI (June 12, 2023) – Today a new class of scholars celebrated their first-ever completion ceremony, as Milwaukee College Prep (MCP) hosted its inaugural promotion to kindergarten (K4) for its youngest scholars.

A leader in urban education for more than 26 years, Milwaukee College Prep opened an early childhood center at its Lola Rowe North Campus in fall 2022. With the new early childhood center and four existing K4-8th grade schools, MCP’s campuses are situated in some of the most segregated neighborhoods in the nation’s most segregated city, which is home to the nation’s largest race-based opportunity gap.

“MCP has proven that Milwaukee’s opportunity gap can be overcome with equitable access to high quality schools,” says CEO Al Keith IV. “Our K-8 schools boast test scores significantly above comparable schools in literacy and numeracy skills. And with the launch of our new K3 program, MCP3, we are able to reach children before they enter kindergarten, making high-quality, early childhood education accessible to more families in our city.”

According to the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, “Milwaukee has 47,000 children under the age of six who deserve high-quality early childhood education (ECE) that meets their family’s needs. Unfortunately, about half of Milwaukee’s children lack equitable access to these services.”

Black and economically disadvantaged children are disproportionally affected by this lack of access at their most vulnerable time of development. In fact, only one in three Milwaukee children live in a community with equitable access to early childhood education.

“Today we celebrate our 3K scholars and their preparedness for kindergarten and beyond,” says Allison Peterson, Director of Milwaukee College Prep’s 3K program. “MCP3 is proud to provide a strong start to our scholars’ educational journey. We prepare scholars for K4 in a safe and loving environment, championed by a strong belief in their abilities, high expectations, and lots of fun! Positive learning outcomes begin with early childhood education; and we are so proud to bring a new class of scholars one step closer to college and beyond.”

To learn more about Milwaukee College Prep, visit www.milwaukeecollegeprep.com. To learn more about enrolling your child at MCP, attend an open house event inside the new indoor play space at MCP’s Lola Rowe North Campus on Wednesday evening, July 26th from 4-6pm.

ABOUT MILWAUKEE COLLEGE PREP: Milwaukee College Prep (MCP) was incorporated as a non-profit organization in the spring of 1997 as a gift to the Milwaukee community by Micky and Ron Sadoff and Junior Bridgeman. A trailblazer in urban education, Milwaukee College Prep saw a gross inequity in education. MCP believed then and is more convinced than ever, that no matter a child’s background or zip code, they deserve to live a life of choices and have access to their dreams. Milwaukee College Prep has since grown to be a four campus K-8th grade public charter school network with no pre-screening or tuition. Recognizing the incredible need for quality and accessible early childhood education, MCP added a K3 program (MCP3) this past year and now educates more than 2,100 children in some of the most marginalized communities along Milwaukee’s North Avenue corridor.

ABOUT MCP3: In fall 2023, Milwaukee College Prep opened its doors at the Lola Rowe North Campus to its first K3 class. In its first year, the program (MCP3) served 100 three- and four-year-old scholars across five classrooms. MCP3 shares Milwaukee College Prep’s mission and vision and believes “we lead with love and learning follows.” Through quality preschool curriculum and culture, MCP3’s goal for its scholars is that every student is prepared for a lifetime of learning. We are a community of positive educators who believe every child deserves a high-quality education, which will allow them to succeed in future endeavors. The program accepts Wisconsin Shares and private pay.

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.