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

MILWAUKEE— Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) Superintendent Brenda Cassellius today announced that testing by the City of Milwaukee Health Department (MHD) has cleared Westside Academy, after lead risks were addressed by renovation and painting at the school.

“We are working hard to get our schools ready for students this fall, and this news today is another indication of our progress,” Dr. Cassellius said. “I want to again thank the students, families, and staff at Westside Academy for their patience and flexibility this year. I’m so glad they will be able to start the school year this September back in their building.”

The Westside Academy building, at 1945 N. 31st St., will be ready to welcome students and staff back for the first day of 2025-26 school year, on Tuesday, September 2.

Westside students and staff were temporarily relocated to Andrew S. Douglas Middle School on May 5 to allow MPS and contracted crews to perform renovation work, stabilize surfaces with paint, and clean the building thoroughly.

The relocation was precautionary; no Westside students were identified as having elevated blood lead levels from the school.

Milwaukee Public Schools will continue performing work related to lead cleanup at district buildings this summer. So far, MHD has declared eight schools cleared of lead dangers. The district is working toward eliminating all lead dangers from schools built before 1978 by the end of this calendar year.

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.