America Reads

Administered through UW-Milwaukee’s Center for Student Experience and Talent, this program prepares UWM students to be tutors and mentors at Maryland Avenue Montessori so our elementary students can strengthen their literacy skills. The America Reads Program was established in 1997.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee

Students meet with volunteer mentors during weekly lunches. Through the support of their mentors, children develop positive attitudes toward school, achieve higher grades, become more confident, and improve relationships with adults and peers.

Book Buddies

This program pairs Maryland students with Milwaukee Catholic Home residents for reading practice, neighborhood walks, and connection and conversation across generations.

Danceworks Mad Hot Rhythm

Danceworks Mad Hot Rhythm inspires our students to move their bodies and work together to create performing art. Participation in Mad Hot Rhythm helps our students boost their self-confidence and creativity, respect and work well with others, and learn that creative movement feels great!

First Stage

First through eighth-grade students experience live theater during field trips to First Stage, and occasional pre- and post-show workshops.

FoodRight

FoodRight, Inc. partners with Milwaukee schools to offer gardening and culinary nutrition education programming in the classroom. Led by registered dietitians or trained classroom teachers, FoodRight’s hands-on, standards-aligned curricula increases students’ engagement in learning while building healthy eating habits that track into adulthood. To support classroom lessons, FoodRight provides take-home meal kits and virtual culinary workshops to families and works with community stakeholders to create healthier school environments through policy and systems initiatives. Parent volunteers are always welcome.

Junior Achievement of Wisconsin

We have a strong partnership with the Junior Achievement of Wisconsin program, which inspires and prepares young people to succeed in a global economy. Junior Achievement of Wisconsin provides activities, guides, field trips, and other resources to share lessons on leadership, career preparation, money management, and more. Lessons are organized according to the Milwaukee Public Schools Social Studies curriculum and are implemented in K5 classrooms, continuing through eighth grade.

Nature’s Classroom Institute and Montessori School

Older students spend one week each year at the Nature’s Classroom Institute and Montessori School. Students, teachers, and parent chaperones embark on an educational excursion through the natural and agricultural world during the institute’s Overnight Adventures program.

Peace Learning Center of Milwaukee

Peacemakers Workshops welcome fourth through sixth 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.

Peer Problem Solving

Elementary students are taught restorative communication practices that promote social and emotional well-being.

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports

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.

Urban Ecology Center

The Neighborhood Environmental Education Project (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 to borrow 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.