Expectations are high for all students but learning goals are personalized for the individual student at Frederick J. Gaenslen School.
All Milwaukee Public Schools implement the Ambitious Instruction Plan and Common Core State Standards.
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.
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 masters reading, writing, and math skills in ways that are meaningful to their individual life and experiences. Our staff works together to understand each learner, find the best ways to assess and improve their progress, and make sure that students can apply what they have learned in helpful ways in school and in their community.
Reading/Language Arts Achievement
Teachers integrate reading and language arts into daily lessons. Students develop their writing, listening, and presentation skills in class discussions and projects.
Every Gaenslen student is inspired to achieve reading proficiency by third-grade completion – a major academic milestone.
Math/STEM Achievement
Early-childhood teachers provide a solid foundation in whole numbers, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, and decimals. Students learn and apply more demanding mathematical concepts and procedures as they move into the upper grades at Gaenslen and prepare for high-school math and STEM courses.
In our school’s Project Lead The Way lab, students explore the STEM subjects through an innovative curriculum. Our STEM-certified teachers lead lessons, train students to use technology safely, and supervise projects.
Art, Music, Physical Education
Gaenslen’s full-time specialist teachers provide weekly lessons and activities so students can recharge their busy brains. Our music program educates and entertains the community. Ms. Woehler maintains a colorful, spacious, and fully stocked art room.
Students test their personal limits – safely – in our Gaenslen gymnasium, which welcomes all athletes with adaptations for students with vision, orthopedic, and other health needs.
Special Education
More than fifty percent of Gaenslen School students receive special-education accommodations or support. Our special education teachers, regular education teachers, school social worker, school psychologist, school support teacher, and administration work together to meet students’ needs. Our staff has decades of experience and remarkable expertise when it comes to educating children who have Individualized Education Plans to address medical, orthopedic, or vision challenges.
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.
Technology
Students develop important life skills in our technology program, from learning computer software and safe online research practices to sharing new knowledge and creativity in multimedia presentations. Gaenslen has high–speed wireless access points, and students in grades two through eight use 1:1 technology in Chromebooks and/or tablets.