Danceworks Mad Hot Rhythm

Teaching artists from Danceworks provide two weekly one-hour dance classes for 18 weeks—36 total hours of dance instruction for participating scholars who work together to create performing art. Each year, Mad Hot Rhythm culminates with a city-wide competition and school performances. Sixth graders represent La Escuela Fratney at Mad Hot Rhythm.

First Stage

Arts-integrated workshops and theater trips help scholars develop an appreciation for the performing arts and see themselves as performers.

Junior Achievement of Wisconsin

The Junior Achievement of Wisconsin program inspires and prepares young people to succeed in a global economy. Junior Achievement of Wisconsin provides activities, guides, thought leadership and other resources to support age-appropriate learning about leadership, jobs, money and more.  Fratney fifth graders run the show at Junior Achievement’s BizTown simulation as part of MPS Learning Journeys Program.

Learning Journeys

Learning Journeys are educational field trips for all MPS students that are designed to take what students are learning in the classroom out into the real world. These annual opportunities aim to expand students’ career awareness (K3–grade 3) and help them explore potential careers (grades 4 and 5).

Neighborhood Environmental Education Project (NEEP)

NEEP engages classes through field trips to local green spaces that enrich the classroom curriculum. Urban Ecology Center educators engage students through hands-on activities, indoors and outdoors. Students may learn about local habitats, identifying plants, finding signs of animal life, or building forts with classmates! Rain or shine, snow or wind, every trip has a portion outdoors and is engaging for all students and parent chaperones. Urban Ecology Center has outerwear available, so all participants may explore in any weather. There are three Urban Ecology Center locations; most schools partner with one less than two miles from their school.

Peace Learning Center of Milwaukee

Peacemakers Workshops welcome second- through fifth-grade students for a day of cooperative games, small group study, and role play. Students practice healthy ways to communicate, manage conflict, build self-esteem, and think critically about the impact peaceful action has on their community.

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)

Milwaukee Public Schools uses PBIS to promote positive student behavior. After years of use, districts across the country, MPS included, are reporting increases in student achievement, more positive school environments, and fewer classroom disruptions and disciplinary referrals.

PBIS uses a three-tiered approach. Tier one teaches expectations to all students and promotes collaboration and consistency in the classroom: Teachers and students co-design agreements and routines that align with school expectations. Tiers two and three provide structure, interventions, and follow up for students who need more support.

Two-Way Bilingual Dual Language Program

Students learn to read, write, speak, and experience the world in Spanish and English in our Two-Way Bilingual Dual Language program.