Dear Families and Community,

It is with great joy and heartfelt gratitude that I welcome you to another exciting school year at La Escuela Fratney. This will be my fourth year serving as your principal, and I am honored to lead such a vibrant, diverse, and socially engaged community. My connection to La Escuela Fratney spans more than 25 years—as a classroom teacher, teacher leader, and dedicated advocate for bilingual education and equity. This school holds a special place in my heart, and I am excited to continue growing together with you and your children.

La Escuela Fratney is proud to serve as both a citywide specialty school welcoming students from across Milwaukee and a valued neighborhood school in Riverwest. The diversity and inclusion you will find here are truly exceptional and form the foundation of our learning environment.

At La Escuela Fratney, students are challenged academically, supported socially and emotionally, and empowered to become multilingual, culturally aware, and justice-minded individuals. Our vision is grounded in inclusion, high expectations, and respect for all identities and experiences.

Our work is guided by our four school-wide themes that reflect the core of our mission:

Theme I: We Respect Ourselves and Our World
We honor each student’s identity and cultural heritage. Through mindfulness practices, restorative circles, and classroom routines such as morning meetings and peace corners, students develop empathy, self-awareness, and positive relationships. We also encourage time outdoors and screen-free moments to support overall wellness.

Theme II: We Are Proud to Be Bilingual, Multicultural Learners
As a two-way dual language school, La Escuela Fratney provides instruction in both Spanish and English. Our bilingual, multicultural approach nurtures academic success alongside cultural pride and understanding. The diversity of our student body reflects the global perspectives they bring, which enriches our learning community. I speak personally as a parent of graduates from La Escuela Fratney and witness daily the impact of this education.

Theme III: We Can Make a Difference in the World
We believe students are powerful agents of change. Our curriculum shares an honest and inclusive history that highlights the contributions of people from all backgrounds to justice and equity. Students learn how collective action can overcome injustice and create a more just and sustainable future.

Theme IV: We Share Stories of the World
Every student and family brings a unique story that enriches our community. Sharing these stories builds trust, deepens understanding, and strengthens our connections. Families are encouraged to participate in events like the summer carnival, August open house, family culture and literacy nights, World Diversity Day, Children’s Day, and parent-teacher conferences. Your involvement and presence are vital to the strength of our school community.

As we begin this new school year, I look forward to working alongside you to create a safe, joyful, and inclusive environment where every child can thrive.

Together, we will fulfill La Escuela Fratney’s vision:

“All our diverse learners becoming peaceful truth-tellers and change-makers through culturally sustaining bilingual education.”

Enrollment Update
To maintain the balance essential to our two-way dual language program, students who speak English at home may enroll in K3 or K4. Beginning in K5 and beyond, new students must either speak Spanish or successfully pass a district Spanish-language proficiency assessment. This ensures our program serves both Spanish-speaking and English-speaking learners equitably.

With gratitude and commitment,
Sara Cruz, principal
La Escuela Fratney