Milwaukee Public Schools move some schools to early start calendar in 2017

MILWAUKEE (Dec. 22, 2016) – The Milwaukee Board of School Directors voted unanimously to move all secondary schools, International Baccalaureate schools and year-round schools to an early start on August 14, 2017 at Thursday’s meeting.

The board also asked the administration to pursue further research on changing the K-8 elementary school calendar in the future.  Traditional elementary schools will start on Sept. 5, 2017.

The early start calendar proposal is part of the district’s plan to improve outcomes for students. While MPS schools are showing signs of growth and have moved up a grade in the state report card, there is much work to do, particularly in high schools and middle schools:

• The four-year high school graduation rate in MPS is 58.2 percent, compared to 88.4 percent statewide
• Eighty-three of the district’s 158 schools remain on the state’s “Fails to Meet Expectations” or “Meets Few Expectations” list
• The average ACT composite score in MPS is 16.5, versus 20.1 statewide

“I want to thank the Board for standing up for our young people and supporting an opportunity for students to have this extra learning time,” said MPS Superintendent Darienne Driver.

The proposed change to the calendar allows for the addition of a “J-term”, a four-week optional credit recovery and enrichment program in June in between the end of the regular school year and traditional summer school in July. The additional learning time the J-term provides, along with the early start in mid-August, gives students more time to catch up, keep up and get ahead in school.

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.

Recent Press Releases by Milwaukee Public Schools

MPS Summer Programs Underway for Students Across Milwaukee

Jul 7th, 2025 by Milwaukee Public Schools

Summer Academy helps students catch up, get ahead, and start strong in the 2025–26 school year

MPS’s Westside Academy Cleared of Lead Risks After Stabilization Work

Jul 1st, 2025 by Milwaukee Public Schools

School Will Be Ready to Welcome Back Students on the First Day of Classes for the 2025-26 School Year

Superintendent Kicks Off Listen and Learn Tour

Jun 26th, 2025 by Milwaukee Public Schools

Families, Staff, and Community Invited to Share Their Vision for the District