Our Two-Way Bilingual Dual Language program combines standards-based academics with social and emotional learning experiences to support a child’s overall well-being. This enriching education prepares students for success in high school and gives them a global perspective.
Children learn better when their schoolwork is relevant to their lives and experiences. La Escuela Fratney teachers encourage students to connect what they learn in the classroom to their family’s culture, knowledge, and strengths. Teachers integrate multicultural, antiracist teaching practices in all subjects.
Students who complete eighth grade at La Escuela Fratney are ready for high school and so much more. They are bilingual, biliterate learners and critical thinkers. They challenge inequity and injustice and will contribute to their new school communities—and global society—with confidence and care.
Ambitious Instruction Plan
The Milwaukee Public Schools Ambitious Instruction Plan recognizes and celebrates that our students come from many cultures and backgrounds. This plan focuses on high-quality, culturally appropriate teaching and learning. Our goal is to ensure that every student develops reading, writing, and math skills in ways that are meaningful to their individual lives and experiences. Our staff works together to understand each learner and find appropriate ways to assess and improve their progress. We then make sure that students can apply what they have learned in productive ways in school and in their community.
Common Core State Standards
The curriculum in Milwaukee Public Schools is based on Common Core State Standards. These standards were developed with teachers, school administrators, and experts to prepare all children for college and the workforce.
Curriculum
Art, Library, Music, and Physical Education
Specialist teachers lead art, music, and physical education classes. Students learn about mind-body wellness and team building in gym class. They sketch, draw, and sew, beautifying our campus with their artwork. Students begin with the basics of reading and writing music and explore the music of many cultures through dance and instrumental performances. Partnerships with local artists and arts organizations welcome students as spectators and performers.
Weekly visits to our Library Media Center give students access to a wealth of print and digital reading materials and learning tools and technologies. Our bilingual librarian curates a large collection of multicultural, multilingual children’s literature and teaches students about research practices and media literacy.
Math
Educators implement effective teaching practices, so students learn, practice, and apply critical math skills. Grade-level standards and assessments help students accumulate mathematical knowledge and skills that prepare them for success in high school. Students from K3 to second grade solve problems and practice Spanish and groupwork through the Counting Collections routine. In K4 through fifth grades, students receive 60 minutes of math instruction in Spanish. Middle school math is taught in English, with opportunities for students to bridge their math learning into Spanish.
Social Studies
Our social studies curriculum introduces concepts like class, race, and gender in age-appropriate lessons in the behavioral sciences, economics, civics, U.S. government, and history. An active-learning approach means students explore local to global societies during field trips, by reading literature and performing songs from other cultures, and discussing the contributions and cultures of ethnic and geopolitical groups: African American, Arab American, Asian American, European American, Latino, and Native-American. Spanish and English literacy lessons and exercises are integrated into science and social studies units, as well.
Spanish and English Language Arts
Teachers provide 90 minutes of high-quality reading, writing, and oral language instruction per school day. Spanish is the primary language of literacy instruction, K3 through first grade. Students have time allocated for English literacy instruction in every grade. Spanish and English literacy lessons and exercises are integrated into science and social studies units, as well.
K3 Half-Day Program
Families can choose between two half-day K3 programs.
- 9:10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – 135 minutes Spanish/15 minutes English
- 12:40 p.m. to 4:10 p.m. – 135 minutes Spanish/15 minutes English
Families can register their child for wraparound childcare, which is provided on site.
K4 and K5
30 minutes of English literacy instruction/210 minutes of Spanish literacy instruction
Grade 1
50 minutes of English literacy instruction/130 minutes of Spanish literacy instruction
Grade 2
70 minutes of English literacy instruction/110 minutes of Spanish literacy instruction
Grade 3
90 minutes in each language
Grades 4 & 5
125 minutes of English literacy instruction/130 minutes of Spanish literacy instruction
Grades 6-8
80 minutes of English literacy instruction/140 minutes of Spanish literacy instruction
Act 20: Milwaukee Reads
Act 20: Milwaukee Reads takes a science-based approach to literacy from K4 to third grade. Students are screened and receive additional support as needed to strengthen early literacy skills like combining letters and sounds to create words, building vocabulary, and reading and writing with expression and clarity.
Interventions
Students in any grade who need help building their Spanish or English literacy skills can receive academic interventions and resources during and beyond the school day.
Social and Emotional Learning
Educating the whole child means providing equal opportunities so all La Escuela Fratney students can thrive academically, emotionally, and socially. Teachers develop classroom routines, and model healthy communication and calming skills to help students feel secure in school, manage the big emotions of childhood, and refocus on lessons when necessary.
La Escuela Fratney uses restorative practices to help students address and work through conflict. Students engage with staff members and each other in restorative conversations or restorative conferences.
Special Education
MPS serves all children with disabilities, including cognitive, physical, emotional, learning, hearing, vision, and speech disabilities. Our special education teachers, regular education teachers, school social worker, school psychologist, and administration work together to meet students’ needs.
Two-Way Bilingual Dual Language learning is an inclusive experience at La Escuela Fratney. Children who have Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) are included in academic and social and emotional lessons and field trips whenever possible and work with bilingual special education staff.
If you think your child has special education needs, ask your child’s teacher or principal for an evaluation. For general questions about special education or specialized services, please call (414) 874-8493, or learn more about Specialized Services.