In the early morning of June 30, 2026, an accidental fire broke out at Lincoln Avenue School. No one was in the building at the time, and no one was hurt.
MPS is tremendously grateful for the quick response and hard work of the Milwaukee Fire Department, as well as the many expressions of support from our community partners.
Please find the answers to frequently asked questions below.
New Location & Transition
Will the school be open at its current location in the fall?
Sadly, no. Due to major structural damage, the city has determined that the building must be torn down. We currently do not know when this will happen and know that it is hard to see our school building go. For your safety, please ensure you stay away from the property and respect all safety barriers.
Where will Lincoln Avenue School students be able to go in the fall?
After reviewing several options with the district, the Lincoln Avenue School Engagement Council officially recommended that the school move to Casimir Pulaski High School (25th & Oklahoma) as the transition site for the upcoming school year.
Based on the positive feedback from families and staff, the district will move the full K3-5th grade school community to Pulaski for the upcoming school year.
Pulaski was the only available option close to the Lincoln Avenue School that allowed the entire school community to remain together in one location, which was a top priority shared by families and staff. It was also the closest option and is 1.5 miles from Lincoln Avenue School.
At Pulaski, Lincoln Avenue students and staff will have separate entrances and exits, offices, cafeteria, and beautiful green spaces. The bell schedule is also expected to remain the same.
Will busing transportation be provided to the new location?
Yes. All of our overall school systems, procedures, and transportation parameters will transfer directly over to the new location. Families with specific distance concerns can reach out to the school secretary (via email at [email protected]) to note their information for follow-up once exact routes are finalized.
Do I need to re-register my child since we are moving to a different building this fall?
No. If your child was already enrolled at Lincoln Avenue, you do not need to do a different or new registration.
Are you still accepting new enrollments for the fall?
Yes, absolutely! Our enrollment systems have not changed and we are preparing for an amazing school year. We are fully staffed and the district is providing brand-new classroom materials for our students.
Is the school’s phone number the same?
Right now, the school’s main phone number redirects to the district’s student services office. Members of the Student Services team are available and happy to assist with questions and concerns.
Community Support for Students & Staff
What are the best ways the community can support the school?
We are so grateful for the incredible support of our community members! We received an outpouring of donated supplies after the fire, fully meeting our immediate needs for the new school year.
While MPS is no longer accepting donated supplies, you can make a direct, tax-deductible contribution through the MPS Foundation (select “Lincoln Avenue Elementary School Fund”). The funds will be first used to support the school’s classroom and teacher needs, followed by other areas of greatest need as determined by school leaders as we work to support the school now and in the future.
For more information, please contact Christy Stone, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Customer Service, at [email protected].
The Fire & Building Status
What caused the fire?
An investigation led by the Milwaukee Fire Department found that the fire was accidental. The cause was determined to be rags containing chemicals stored in a plastic garbage can.
When will the school be demolished?
The City of Milwaukee and the Historic Building Commission approved the demolition of the building on July 6 due to safety and structural concerns. MPS is now requesting bids from companies to demolish the building. The district received an initial insurance payment that will fund this work, and demolition will begin in the weeks after a vendor is selected. We know losing the building is going to be hard for the community, but it is necessary given the condition. This is a major step forward toward the future of the site.
Will the school be rebuilt in its current location?
It is too soon to know at this time. Our immediate priority is settling our families into the Pulaski location. As we work with insurance adjusters and discuss the long-term future, community engagement will be a top priority.
Did the building have fire sprinklers?
No. Please see this information directly from the City of Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services: At the time Lincoln Avenue School was constructed, the City of Milwaukee building code did not require automatic fire sprinkler systems in the building. Subsequent renovations and alterations to the school did not trigger building code requirements to retrofit the facility with an automatic fire suppression system.
Did the building pass fire inspection?
Yes. Please see this information directly from the City of Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services: All Milwaukee Public Schools buildings are subject to an annual fire inspection conducted by the Department of Neighborhood Services. Lincoln Avenue School successfully passed its most recent annual fire inspection on August 1, 2025. DNS schedules annual fire inspections of Milwaukee Public Schools during the summer months to minimize disruption to classroom instruction.
Summer Programs & Meal Services
What is happening with summer programs at the school?
The summer Community Learning Center program has been moved to Hayes Bilingual School, 971 W. Windlake Ave., through July 31. For questions about CLC, please call (414) 475-8180.
What is happening with meal programs?
We encourage families to visit the two closest alternate sites: Rogers Street Academy (2404 W. Rogers St.) and Modrzejewski Playfield (1020 W. Cleveland Ave.).