Dr. Maria Montessori established her child-centered Montessori philosophy in early-1900s Rome. “Adults move because their will directs them,” she explained. “The small child is urged by nature.”

By the 1960s, children in Europe, India, and the U.S. thrived in Montessori schools, moving freely through multi-age classrooms and choosing hands-on lessons and learning materials that spark their natural curiosity.

Today’s MPS Montessori student explores math and literacy, language and science, the humanities and global economies during teacher-led lessons and through uninterrupted, self-guided work time. From the ages of 3 to 18, these students develop community-building and problem-solving skills by sharing classroom responsibilities, participating in meaningful routines, and learning, working, and researching during group and individual projects.

About MPS Montessori

Milwaukee Public Schools provides an authentic, world-class Montessori education in eight tuition-free schools. From 1973 to today, our district has implemented enduring Montessori methods while innovating as America’s largest family of public Montessori schools. Educating more than 4,000 students annually, these eight schools make unique and historic contributions to Wisconsin’s education landscape:

After more than a century of practice, research, and global growth, Montessori methods remain relevant, effective, and support Milwaukee Public Schools’ mission to prepare students for success in higher education, post-education opportunities, work, and citizenship.

• Classrooms are stocked with learning materials, books, and self-guided activities that bring lessons to life and stimulate curiosity and creativity.
• Educators model peaceful communication, active listening, and thoughtful problem-solving techniques in multi-age classrooms.
• Students explore careers and develop pre-professional skills that prepare them for the workforce before graduation day.

We invite you to explore the MPS Montessori family and begin your child’s enrollment process today.

Tuition-Free Enrollment

A Milwaukee Public Schools Montessori education is authentic and accessible. Our educators are Montessori-credentialed and licensed by the State of Wisconsin. MPS Montessori schools do not charge tuition.

K3/K4 Enrollment

Any child who will be age three or four by September 1 is eligible to apply for the Montessori program during the kindergarten enrollment period. Seats are assigned at random. Sibling preference and the number of openings at each school helps determine student placement.

Please note that K3 and K4 Montessori students attend school for three hours each day.

K5 to Eighth-Grade Enrollment

Students older than age four may be enrolled in MPS Montessori schools as seats are available using the following specifications:

• Students with verified continuous, previous Montessori experience shall receive Montessori enrollment preference.
• Students without Montessori experience and students with limited Montessori experience may be enrolled as seats are available following an intake conference with the school principal.

Montessori students move to a full-day schedule (approximately seven hours) once they are officially registered K5 students.

High School Enrollment

Students who successfully complete year eight in a Montessori school receive preference when they complete an enrollment application for MacDowell Montessori School, home to the district’s only high-school Montessori program. High school enrollment is open from late September through October.

• If MacDowell Montessori School receives more high-school applicants than there are available seats, the board-established composite score is used to order the applicants without Montessori experience, filling the school with the highest-scoring students first until the school’s available seats are filled.
• Grades 10, 11, and 12 are filled in the same manner as K5 through eighth grade: Students are placed on the waiting list, and the school conducts an intake interview with the parent/guardian and student.

Visit mpsmke.com/enroll to enroll your child.