Types of Schools within MPS MPS has different types of schools. When selecting a school, you need to know how the schools are different. You also have the option of selecting schools outside of the district. For more information, click here. Neighborhood Schools Neighborhood Schools accept children from the neighborhood in which they are located before enrolling children from other areas. These schools will take students from their regions, if seats are available. Neighborhood schools are also called Attendance Area schools. Call Central Services or your nearest elementary school to determine your Neighborhood School. Neighborhood Specialty Schools Neighborhood Specialty Schools enroll students first from the neighborhood, then from the entire city, if seats are available. They offer special programs or areas of study, such as the arts. Charter Schools Charter Schools do not have to follow many of the regulations set for regular schools; therefore, they can be more flexible. Some charter schools use the standard MPS enrollment procedures, while others set their own. Contact the school for information about transportation, random selection, wait lists and enrollment procedures. Charter schools that are not part of MPS are not listed here. Citywide Specialty Schools Citywide Specialty Schools accept children from all over the city and offer special programs or areas of study, such as the arts. In most Citywide Specialty Schools, 55 percent of the students in entry-level grades come from the school's walk zone. A walk zone is a one-mile radius for elementary schools and a two-mile radius for middle and high schools. Exceptions to this appear in the individual school listings. Contracted Agency Schools MPS has contracts with community agencies to provide Head Start, kindergarten and limited elementary education services. Contracted schools set their own enrollment procedures. Visit the schools for more information. Partnership Schools MPS offers a wide array of partnership schools for students who are identified as being at risk of dropping out or who are experiencing difficulty in the traditional school setting. New Small High Schools Small high schools are opening in Milwaukee. Small high schools focus on quality relationships, rigorous academics and relevant learning experiences for students. Each small high school has a unique educational mission and serves up to 400 students. Our new small high schools are part of a community-wide effort to improve graduation rates and the success our students have after high school. Other Schools MPS offers several programs for at-risk youth. We are committed to educating all children in the community we serve. There are several choices for students who have a history of behavioral problems. These programs include schools for adjudicated youth, alternative schools, disruptive youth programs and behavioral reassignments.   back to top

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