Educators and counselors are expert guides, helping students make choices that align with their individualized college and career goals. Family support helps students stay on track.
All courses of study are aligned to Common Core State Standards that set goals for what students learn at each grade level. For a complete list of the district’s high school programs, courses, and graduation requirements, review the MPS High School Programs and Graduation Requirements guide.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Programmes
An International Baccalaureate (IB) education combines service projects, college-prep courses in the arts and sciences, and encourages active learning and critical thinking. IB scholars learn to explore the world we live in with empathy and curiosity, striving to make it better. Rufus King educators integrate IB curricula with Common Core State Standards.
Middle Years Programme (MYP)
Arts according to IB: Students develop through creating, performing and presenting arts in ways that engage and convey feelings, experiences and ideas.
Design according to IB: Students apply practical and creative thinking skills to solve design problems, explore the role of design in both historical and contemporary contexts, and consider their responsibilities when making design decisions and acting on them.
Individuals and Societies according to IB: Individuals and societies incorporates disciplines traditionally studied in the humanities, as well as disciplines in the social sciences.
Language Acquisition according to IB: Studying a new language provides students with the opportunity to develop insights into the features, processes and craft of language and the concept of culture. Students realize that there are diverse ways of living, viewing and behaving in the world.
Language and Literature according to IB: Language is central to the development of critical thinking. Critical thinking cultivates intercultural understanding and responsible membership in local, national and global communities.
English is the language of instruction at Rufus King, and our Language A (language and literature) courses are American authors and British/world authors.
Mathematics according to IB: MYP mathematics promotes both inquiry and application, helping students to develop problem-solving techniques that transcend discipline and that are useful in the world beyond school. The MYP mathematics framework encompasses number, algebra, geometry and trigonometry, statistics and probability.
Physical and Health Education according to IB: Physical and health education empowers students to understand and appreciate the value of being physically active and to develop the motivation for making healthy life choices.
Sciences according to IB: The MYP sciences framework encourages students to investigate issues through research, observation, and experimentation, working independently and collaboratively.
Diploma Programme (DP)
A comprehensive two-year international college-preparatory curriculum for eleventh and twelfth graders, the IB Diploma Programme combines six subject groups and the DP core: Theory of Knowledge course (TOK); creativity, activity, service (CAS); and extended essay.
Students have the option of being full diploma candidates or they may take select IB courses as course candidates.
Standard Level and Higher Level Courses
Some DP courses are designated SL (standard level) or HL (higher level). Students may take an IB exam at the end of any SL or HL course.
- Standard Level (SL) Courses are taken over one or two years.
- Junior-year SL courses may also be taken during a student’s senior year.
Language A-English
The language of instruction at Rufus King is English.
- Junior year
- IB Literature
- IB Language and Literature
- Senior year
- IB Literature HL
- IB Language and Literature HL
Language Acquisition
Students can choose from three world languages: French, German, or Spanish.
Depending on their proficiency level, a student will choose higher level (HL) or standard level (SL) language studies.
Individuals and Societies
- Junior year
- IB Global History SL
- IB Economics SL
- IB Psychology SL
- Senior year
- IB History of the Americas HL
- IB Economics HL
- IB Psychology HL
Experimental Sciences
- Junior year
- IB Chem
- IB Bio SL
- IB Physics SL
- Anatomy and Phys
- IB Environmentals SL
- Senior year
- IB Chem SL2
- IB Bio HL
- IB Physics HL
- IB Sports Science
Mathematics
- Junior year
- Math Applications, emphasis on statistics
- Math Analysis, emphasis on calculus
- Senior year
- Math Applications SL, emphasis on statistics
- Math Analysis SL or HL, emphasis on calculus
Arts and Computer Sciences
- Junior year
- IB Visual Art
- IB Theatre
- IB Music
- IB Computer Science SL
- Senior year
- IB Visual Arts HL
- IB Theatre HL
- IB Music HL
- IB Computer Science HL
Career and Technical Education
Rufus King students can earn high school and college credit, develop trade and technical skills, and participate in internships and apprenticeships before they graduate.
Internships
Rufus King students who participate in an MPS internship are employed for a specific period of time to learn about a particular industry or occupation.
Youth Apprenticeship Program
Learning a trade and earning a paycheck are among the benefits of this longstanding program for junior and senior students who alternate classes at Rufus King with trade apprenticeships. Each student is paired with a mentor who is a journeyman in a student’s chosen trade.
Core Courses
Students enroll in classes — ranging from foundational to advanced — that fulfill graduation requirements in these core subjects: English/Language Arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and world languages.
Credit Recovery
Students who earn a “U” or “D” in a core course may use this district-approved online curriculum to recover credits.
Dual Enrollment
Dual Enrollment courses give students the chance to earn high school and college credit at the same time. Rufus King educators with advanced degrees are approved to teach Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) or University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee courses at Rufus King. Students may even attend classes on the MATC or UWM campus.
Early College Credit
Wisconsin high schoolers can take one or more courses at an institution of higher education.
M-Cubed College Connections Program
Start College Now
Wisconsin high schoolers can take one or more courses at a two-year or technical college.
Electives
Students can fulfill graduation and college entrance requirements while gaining new insight and knowledge in elective courses. Rufus King students choose from courses such as band, orchestra, physical education, and Theory of Knowledge.
Seal of Biliteracy
Seniors who demonstrate proficiency in English, another language, and cultural competency can earn the Seal of Biliteracy, which is approved by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Native speakers of English and other world languages can earn the Seal through MPS bilingual, ESL, immersion, or world language programs. Students who earn this accomplishment receive a lapel pin, certificate, and notation on their transcript.
Special Education
Rufus King teachers can adapt the flexible and inclusive MYP and DP frameworks to meet a student’s unique needs and maximize their talents and abilities. Our special education teachers, regular education teachers, school social workers and psychologists, and administration work together to support a student’s full participation in IB classes and projects. Per IB, all special education students have access to the content, curriculum, and delivery of the IB program.
If you think your child has special education needs, ask your child’s teacher or principal for an evaluation. For frequent questions about special education or specialized services, please call (414) 874-8493, or learn more about Specialized Services.
Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Program
Deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) services are provided to students with hearing impairments. Rufus King is one of several Milwaukee Public Schools that contain classrooms providing intensive programming for DHH students.
School-to-Work Transition Program
For three decades, the MPS School-to-Work Transition Program (STWTP) has placed students with special education needs at worksites across Milwaukee where they develop employment readiness and independent living skills while earning credit toward their high school diploma.