From K4 through eighth grade, students learn and collaborate in multi-age academic units that teachers arrange by grade level and agricultural responsibility.

Experience is a powerful teacher and teachers are expert guides. Kindergartners learn in classrooms and in nature as they maintain raised gardens. First graders take charge of two outdoor greenhouses. River Trail’s third through fifth graders learn Wisconsin geography, soil science, and Indigenous histories by practicing companion planting and caring for the school’s small animals. Second graders use the scientific method to maintain hydroponics equipment. Older students prepare for high school, college, and career by managing and marketing River Trail’s community events, café, and produce.

River Trail School of Agricultural Science, like all Milwaukee Public Schools, implements the Ambitious Instruction Plan and Common Core State Standards.

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 and STEM

River Trail uses district standards and assessments in every grade. Students use the scientific method to complete academic lessons and agricultural-science projects. Every student has access to a mobile computer for use at home/school, and teachers integrate technology into lessons.

We strive to develop STEM skills — science, technology, engineering, and math — that prepare our students for successful transitions to high school, college, and the workforce.

Reading/Language Arts

Reading has always been a priority at River Trail. Through our Comprehensive Literacy Plan, students from K4 through fifth grade receive reading, writing, and oral language instruction for 90 minutes a day. Students in grades six through eight receive instruction for one hour daily.

Art, Music, Physical Education

Specialist teachers provide weekly art, music, and physical education classes. Specialist teachers create engaging lessons and activities, so students can demonstrate new academic knowledge and skills, express their creativity, and move their minds and bodies.

Special Education

MPS serves all children with disabilities, including cognitive, physical, emotional, learning, hearing, vision, and speech disabilities. River Trail School of Agricultural Science staff include special education and regular education teachers, school social workers and psychologists, a speech language pathologist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, school support teacher, and administrators who work together to meet students’ needs.

If you think your child has special education needs, ask your child’s teacher or a school administrator for an evaluation. For general questions about special education or specialized services, please call (414) 874-8493, or learn more about Specialized Services.