Mar 11, 2025 | News
Summer is right around the corner, which means it’s time for families to start planning fun summer activities! Milwaukee Public Schools is again offering Summer Academy, and registration is open now. Summer Academy provides Milwaukee youth with exciting adventures, activities, and classes to inspire learning. Summer classes are available for students in K5 through grade 12 and will take place July 7 through 31 at select schools around the city.
Summer Academy helps children stay sharp and retain skills over the summer so they can start strong in fall. In Summer Academy, students can learn art, music, social studies, STEM, early reading skills, mathematics, world cultures, and more! Some sites offer Extended School Year (ESY) for children with special education needs, Montessori, bilingual, and English as a Second Language (ESL). Breakfast and lunch are provided, and afternoon childcare and recreation programs are available through Milwaukee Recreation.
Summer Academy also supports students in grades 6 to 12 to help them catch up or get ahead with credit-earning classes and accelerated learning. Offerings vary by site.
Just for fun, Summer Academy also offers classes that encourage creativity and help students develop new skills. Some of the specialty courses for grades 1 through 12 include:
- Biomedical Science
- Cake Making
- Computer Programming
- Forensic Science
- Musical Theater
- Personal Finance
- Summer Band, Choir, and Orchestra
- Physical Education
- World of Insects
Registration closes May 26. Enroll now—seats fill quickly!
Summer Academy is free for city of Milwaukee residents. Non-residents can enroll for a fee.
Find detailed information and online registration at mpsmke.com/summer and in the Summer Academy Enrollment Guide.
For questions, contact the MPS Department of Extended Learning Opportunities at elo@milwaukee.k12.wi.us.
Mar 6, 2025 | News
The Milwaukee Board of School Directors approved the contract for the next superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools, Dr. Brenda Cassellius, in a special meeting Tuesday, March 4. Dr. Cassellius, who was selected by the board in February after an extensive public search process, will begin leading the district on March 15.
“On behalf of the board, I want to express my excitement for this new chapter in our school district,” board President Marva Herndon said. “The board recognizes that a superintendent is not just a position of leadership. It is a position of vision, inspiration, and service, and about ensuring that every child has the opportunity to succeed, to grow, and to thrive.”
“With Dr. Cassellius at the helm, the board is confident that our district will continue to rise to the challenges of an ever-changing educational landscape,” Herndon continued.
The contract approved by the board is for two years, a duration mandated by Wisconsin state law.
“It is with enormous gratitude and optimism that I take on this responsibility,” Cassellius said. “I am eager to get to work, to meet our community, find ways to work together, and to start a new chapter for MPS. I am honored to work with the educators and staff who serve our students each and every day and believe there is no higher professional calling than being an educator. I have great expectations for Milwaukee Public Schools, and I know that through hard work, honest conversations, and a commitment to our students, we will accomplish big things together.”
Cassellius previously served as superintendent of Boston Public Schools and as Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education. She has worked at every level of public education, from special education paraprofessional and social studies teacher to academic superintendent for middle schools in Memphis City Schools.
MPS Interim Superintendent Eduardo Galván will assist Cassellius in the transition.
Director Jilly Gokalgandhi directed thanks toward Galván for “serving the kids, the families, the educators of this district probably through one of the toughest times this district has faced. And over the last few months, you have led with extreme composure and kindness and collaboration.”
Feb 28, 2025 | News
MPS has an exciting announcement for families with children who ride the school bus! Families now have access to an app called WheresTheBus. This app allows families to track their child’s bus in real time.
WheresTheBus lets families know precisely when their child’s bus will arrive at the bus stop. The app tracks the location of the bus and provides up-to-the-minute arrival times.
The app is free. Families can access WheresTheBus from any device with internet capability—smartphone, tablet, PC, or iPad. Apple iOS and Android apps are available.
This app gives peace of mind by knowing where the bus is. Tracking the bus means students and families can wait in the comfort of home rather than standing outside in bad weather.
To access WheresTheBus, families must have a Campus Parent (parent portal) account with a login and password.
Families can set up a Campus Parent account in two ways:
- At their child’s school during regular school hours; an ID is required; OR
- At MPS Central Services, 5225 W. Vliet St., Milwaukee, WI 53208, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; an ID is required.
Get Started Today!
- Log in to Campus Parent.
- Search for WheresTheBus and click on the icon.
- Follow the registration steps and instructions.
- Download the app from the App Store (iOS/Apple) or Google Play (Android).
- Log in with your Campus Parent ID and password to open the app and see bus information.
For More Assistance
For issues accessing Campus Parent, families can contact their child’s school or parentportal@milwaukee.k12.wi.us.
For issues accessing WheresTheBus, contact busing@milwaukee.k12.wi.us.
Oct 11, 2024 | News
MPS is searching for its next superintendent! This individual will lead the district to deliver a high-quality education for students, support families, inspire staff, and enhance the community.
The Milwaukee Board of School Directors has selected Hazard Young Attea Associates (HYA), a national consulting firm, to recruit candidates, guide the search, and gather input from Milwaukee residents at all levels.
You can help! The district will host a series of meetings for students, families, staff, community members, business partners, government officials, and more. Both virtual and in-person meetings will be available.
In addition, all Milwaukee residents are invited to take part in a survey to help develop a profile of the ideal superintendent, draft interview questions, and identify the best candidate. The survey will be open October 4–20, 2024.
Find all the information, survey link, and meeting schedule at mpsmke.com/superintendentsearch. If you cannot attend, email addresses are provided to offer feedback to the search team.
Aug 9, 2024 | News
All MPS families are encouraged to read the Parent/Student Handbook on Rights, Responsibilities and Discipline as the 2024–25 school year gets underway. This annual publication details many MPS programs, student and family rights, and the MPS Code of Conduct. Important information for athletes is also included.
Check it out at mpsmke.com/rights.
