At Milwaukee French Immersion School, French is the primary language for teaching, learning, and supporting our connected, globally minded community.
Faculty follow the 90:10 dual language immersion model and Wisconsin State Standards for academic achievement from K4 through fifth grade. Our school provides a true immersion experience for our youngest students; children enrolling at grade two or above must demonstrate prior French-language experience.
At Milwaukee French Immersion School, students:
- Meet Expectations on our 2022-23 school report card.
- Attend art, gym, and music classes. Art and music are taught in French.
- Visit our school library and media center weekly to explore global literatures, and develop research and presentation skills.
- Demonstrate their French-language proficiency in second and fourth grades by taking the French Ministry of Education DELF exam.
- Achieve proficiency in the French language by the end of fifth grade.
All Milwaukee Public Schools implement the Ambitious Instruction Plan and Common Core State Standards.
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 appropriate ways to assess and improve their progress, and make sure that students can apply what they have learned in productive ways in school and in their community.
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. Learn more about Common Core.
Math Achievement
Every classroom and learning space at Milwaukee French Immersion School is designed for curious and creative young minds. Students learn best when they are engaged and can apply their new knowledge, skills, and language to the world around them. For the French Immersion scholar, this means learning math content in the target language of French.
French Math Resources
- BrainPopFrançais – Students play web-based math games to learn diverse math concepts and corresponding French vocabulary: distributive and associative properties, prime numbers, fractions, decimals, and order of operations.
- Maxetom: Compléments `a 10 – Students work with equations, colors, and squares as they search for the perfect (numerical) complement
- Picbille CP: activite 27 – Students click and drag each “double” to the number it represents, then check their work.
- ST Math – Teachers can follow students’ progress as they develop math skills on this language-free website.
- Taka T’amuser – Students boost their mathematical skills and confidence through musical, numerical, spatial-memory, and other types of games. This French-language website is free; mobile app is fee based.
Reading/Language Arts Achievement
Teachers, parents, and volunteers share a school-wide commitment to helping students achieve reading proficiency in English and French. Students explore French literacy in K4 as teachers integrate reading and writing, listening and speaking exercises across all subject areas. Formal English literacy instruction begins in second grade. Teachers provide individual attention, in French, as students learn, practice, and apply critical literacy skills.
French Reading/Language Arts Resources
- Boukili – Students choose from six skill levels as they listen to, read, and record books in French. Students can track their progress and play interactive games.
- Conjugaison en contexte – Students in grades three and above read a short passage (in French), then conjugate the passage’s featured verb.
- Genre de mots – Students in grades three and above read and sort words into two categories: feminine or masculine. Many French nouns are gendered, making this game an accessible, essential resource for learners of all ages – featuring three skill levels and multiple modules.
- Lalilo – Students progress through this structured program that promotes reading proficiency (in French) and other skills. Ask your student’s classroom teacher for log-in information.
- Maxetom – Students in the younger grades learn by matching in this game that combines vocabulary words and illustrations.
- La planète de alphas – Young students practice letter/sound identification and other pre-literacy skills by playing a series of sequential games.
- TumbleBooks – Students of all ages can access 550 books in English, French, and Spanish. Username: MFIS. Password: Reads.
French Vocabulary Resources
Resources to help beginning French-language learners (and their parents) develop basic vocabulary and comprehension skills:
- Caillou – Students ages two through six explore French vocabulary through games, activities, coloring pages, and more. Early learners and their parents can navigate the site in English if preferred.
- Le Grenier de Bisou – Students ages two through six play fun, fast games that teach the French alphabet, numbers, shapes, as well as key vocabulary words for careers, cars, and more.
- Boowa et Kwala – Games for grades one through eight.
- La Souris – K4 through first-grade students enjoy educational games and books on this site.
- Play and Learn French Language Games
Art, Music, and Physical Education
Weekly art, music, and physical education classes give students the opportunity to recharge busy brains and flex their creativity. Art and music specialists teach classes in French and work with classroom teachers to integrate academic content into art projects, school celebrations, and community events. Students in grades three through five can sign up for weekly violin lessons.
Special Education
Eight percent of Milwaukee French Immersion School students receive special-education accommodations or support. The school’s special education teachers, regular education teachers, school social worker, school psychologist, school support teacher, and administration work together to meet students’ needs.
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.