During weekly academic meetings, teachers connect and collaborate across grade levels, subjects, and languages to learn what each student needs to succeed. Mitchell School scholars learn math, social studies, science, and other subjects through small-group lessons, student-led discussion, and other teaching practices that amplify the student voice. Parents are partners in education who attend workshops and theme nights that explain Mitchell School’s approach to teaching and learning.

“There is more than one way to teach. There are multiple ways to capture a child’s thinking and to build them into the person they are going to become.”
– Kim Malacara, Principal

Discovering a child’s unique learning style starts with relationship-building. Every morning, teachers and students build classroom community and trust as they exchange greetings, goals, and news. Students use the visual arts and classroom technology to present new knowledge to classmates and strengthen their communication and comprehension skills in English or Spanish/English classrooms. Weekly art, gym, and music lessons — and Mitchell’s redeveloped schoolyard (est. 2023) — also encourage student creativity and self-expression.

Bilingual Education

Mitchell School is a proud bilingual, multicultural community that welcomes families from Milwaukee, as well as from Mexico, Honduras, Colombia, and other Spanish-speaking countries. More than 40 percent of our students are English Learners. Experienced educators help students achieve bilingual and biliteral proficiency using the Bilingual Dual Language framework:

• Bilingual English/Spanish: Students learn to comprehend, read, write, and speak English and Spanish proficiently.
• English Language Development: Students develop literacy and proficiency in their native language of Spanish, while receiving support from English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers as they work toward fluency and literacy in their second language.

In grades six through eight, bilingual students follow a departmentalized schedule. Traveling to different classrooms for science, math, and social studies lessons prepares them for high school. Whether students are working on reading proficiency in a monolingual or bilingual classroom, all children at Mitchell School are empowered to think of themselves as global citizens who can change the world.

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.

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 develops 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.

Math

Class sizes are small from K4 to third grade through the Achievement Gap Reduction program. Teachers provide individualized attention as students learn, practice, and apply critical math skills. City Year student success coaches provide one-on-one and small-group tutoring during the school day and in our after-school enrichment program.

Our redeveloped schoolyard includes new outdoor classrooms for earth science lessons and other STEM activities. Educators combine standards-based lessons with walks and talks through school gardens and green infrastructure to teach students about biodiversity, conservation, and caring for animal and human habitats.

Reading/Language Arts

Class sizes are small from K4 to third grade through the Achievement Gap Reduction program. Teachers provide individualized attention as students learn, practice, and apply critical literacy skills. City Year student success coaches provide one-on-one and small-group tutoring during the school day and in our after-school enrichment program. In K4 through fifth grade, teachers provide 90 minutes of reading, writing, and oral language instruction daily. In grades six through eight, students receive one hour of daily literacy instruction.

Art

The visual arts are woven into classroom activities as students practice new skills and present new knowledge during research projects that lead to creative presentations and demonstrations. The art room is a makerspace where student artists find inspiration, supplies, and guidance to create artwork that beautifies our school.

Music

Music is part of our school culture, from weekly classes with our new music specialist in 2024-25 to live performances during our open house, talent show, and other family events.

Physical Education

Physical education classes promote mind-body wellness and teach students to plan and play together. What happens in gym class might even find its way onto our redeveloped schoolyard. Popular activities at this new gathering space include soccer, relaxation, and imaginary play.

Social Emotional Lessons

In the school’s dedicated Peace Room, students learn to recognize and respond to emotions of all shapes and sizes, and build a community of care where every person at Mitchell School feels valued, welcomed, and respected.

Special Education

MPS serves all children with disabilities, including cognitive, physical, emotional, learning, hearing, vision, and speech disabilities. Our special education teachers, regular education teachers, school social worker, school psychologist, and administration work together to meet students’ needs. Inclusion is an important part of this collaboration. As much as possible, teachers and staff bring all students together for classes and school-day events, so every student can contribute to school life and leadership.

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.