Improving Finances and Explaining the Budget Deficit

Many people are asking how the MPS 2024–25 budget resulted in a $46 million deficit. MPS and its auditing teams have been working to reveal the causes and develop solutions that will maintain a focus on teaching and learning along with student and classroom supports.

Read about progress that will result in a stronger district moving forward.

News and Updates

Join Us for the Biennial Music Festival

Don't miss this Milwaukee tradition! MPS will host the 51st Biennial Music Festival on May 6–7. MPS student musicians will take the stage to perform in bands, orchestras, choirs, and more. It's free to attend!

Mark your calendar!

May 6–7, 2026

UWM Panther Arena

400 W. Kilbourn Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53203

Find out more about the Biennial Music Festival!

Attend the MPS Poetry Showcase

Join us to hear original poetry and spoken word presented by MPS students in kindergarten through grade 12. With the help of their classroom teachers, students have crafted, developed, and polished their works for the public to enjoy. It's free and open to the public!

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

4:30-6:00 p.m.

MPS Central Services Auditorium

5225 W. Vliet St.

Milwaukee, WI 53208

Learn about students in the MPS Poetry Showcase.

Cantos de Las Americas

Celebration 2026

Cantos is an annual showcase of music and dance hosted by MPS to celebrate the many cultures represented in our district. The performance has been a tradition since 1990.

This year, Cantos de las Américas returns to the stage on April 24, 2026, from 6:30–8:00 p.m. at Hamilton High School. Due to limited space, tickets are required and are being provided to student performers.

Cantos will be livestreamed! Visit mpsmke.com/cantos to watch this exciting performance.

Join us and be dazzled by our talented students!

MPS Refugee & Immigrant Family Community Resource Fair

Join us for a free resource fair that will give families access to community organizations in Milwaukee, including health care, food access, housing, legal support, language services, and education and literacy options.

Saturday, April 25, 2026

10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

South Division High School

1515 W. Lapham Blvd., Milwaukee, WI 53204

Get more details about this annual fair—it's free!

Read about activities and resources at this year's fair.

College & Career Readiness Night:

Middle School Students & Families

MPS students and families are invited to learn how to start planning for college. Learn how to build good study habits, apply for financial aid, manage stress, and more.

Dinner is included!

Wednesday, April 29, 2026

5:00–5:30 p.m. Dinner

5:30–7:30 p.m. Presentation

MPS Central Services Auditorium

5225 W. Vliet St., Milwaukee, 53208

Registration is required at mpsmke.com/careernight2026

OR download a flyer with QR code to register.

For more information, contact Karolyn Taylor at henderkt@milwaukee.k12.wi.us

Student Attendance on April 30

for Some MPS Schools

Because of a weather-related closure, some MPS schools and grade bands will have a makeup attendance day on Thursday, April 30, 2026. This date was previously a scheduled day off for students.

Families at affected schools received an email on March 27 with details. Please view a full list of schools and grade bands that will attend on April 30. This list includes K–5 and K–8 schools and most traditional middle schools.

Students at MPS schools that are not listed will not attend school April 30, as previously scheduled. May 1 remains a non‑student-attendance day for every MPS school.

This adjustment ensures that MPS meets the state-required number of instructional

minutes without extending the school year further into June. We remain on track to meet these requirements.

If you have any questions, please ask your child's school.

Sign up for the Campus Parent Portal

The Campus Parent Portal gives parents/guardians access to student information 24 hours a day. By logging in on a computer or in the app, a family member can:

• Check daily attendance
• View report cards
• See messages from teachers and school staff
• Communicate directly with a student’s teacher
• Be better informed about a student’s progress or needs
• Stay up to date about events in schools

Sign up for your Campus Parent Portal account! To receive a login and password, visit your child's school or MPS Central Services, 5225 W. Vliet St. A photo ID is required.

Summer Academy—Register Now!

Summer Academy is for all students who want to have fun learning and start strong in fall!

The summer session runs July 6–30, 2026. Summer Academy is recommended for all students, especially those who want to strengthen reading skills.

K5–grade 8 will strengthen skills and expand knowledge through hands-on activities and specialty programs.

Middle and high school students can catch up on credits or get ahead.

Specialty courses are available for grades 1–12 to explore interests such as music, art, crochet, sports, and sciences.

Visit mpsmke.com/summeracademy for all the details and to register.

MPS Is Hiring!

Visit Our Career Fairs!

MPS seeks exceptional individuals to join our team! The district is hosting monthly fairs to help job seekers explore careers and learn more about working in MPS.

Each job fair seeks specific positions; contact our recruitment coordinators to find out what jobs will be offered by emailing mpscoordinators@milwaukee.k12.wi.us.

Districtwide Teachers: Wednesday, May 6, 2026, from 5:00–7:00 p.m.

Bradley Tech High School, 1700 S. 4th St., Milwaukee, 53204

Classroom Support: Wednesday, May 13, 2026, from 5:00–7:00 p.m.

MPS Central Services, 5225 W. Vliet St., Milwaukee, 53208

Classroom Support: Wednesday, May 27, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

MPS Central Services, 5225 W. Vliet St., Milwaukee, 53208

Read more about excellent benefits and open positions.

Milwaukee Health Department

Vaccine Clinics

Free immunizations are available for children who are uninsured or have Medicaid or BadgerCare. Friday morning visits are now offered from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. by appointment at the Northwest Health Center, 7630 W. Mill Rd., Milwaukee, 53218.

Walk-in immunizations are also offered at the Keenan Health Center and the Southside Health Center. Find all locations and the complete schedule at milwaukee.gov/VaxClinics.

Every Day Counts!

Spring Into a Strong School Year

Spring is here, so use these warmer months to maintain good habits, get to school on time, and finish the year strong. Students can look forward to nicer weather to walk to school or a bus stop!

If your family needs support to get to school on time every day, talk to the school counselor or parent coordinator at your child’s school. Help is available!

Families: Remember that you can check attendance by logging in to the Campus Parent Portal at mpsmke.com/parentportal. If you need assistance, scroll down in this newsletter for contact information. 

District Weekly Highlight

MPS Will Add More Teachers for the 2026–27 School Year

As the district works to balance its budget, protecting classrooms is a priority. After a $46 million deficit in the district’s 2024–25 budget was discovered by external auditors, MPS is trimming in ways that will protect learning and maintain supports for students and classrooms. About 89 new teachers and five new school psychologists, along with more positions, will be added for fall.

The district has shared its plan for staffing schools next year. Read more about expanded positions and areas that are protected from budget adjustments to best serve our students.

In case you missed it . . .

Apply for Alverno Direct Admit

MPS High School Juniors—now you can apply to Alverno College through a simple online form! The application will connect your transcript directly to Alverno College. It’s free, and no letters or essays are needed.

Apply by June 1, 2026, and start college in Fall 2027. Students must graduate in the spring or summer of their senior year to be eligible. Learn more and apply at mpsmke.com/directadmit. You can also find out how to apply to MATC and UW schools through Direct Admit.

Please note that Alverno College accepts only female students as undergraduates.

All MPS Sites Are Safe Havens

All MPS sites are safe havens. We welcome individuals of all ethnicities, religions, cultural backgrounds, immigration statuses, and sexual orientations or identities. As a reminder, MPS does not ask for immigration status of families. No public school has a basis to deny children access to education based on immigration status, according to federal court rulings.

MPS students, families, staff, and partners can find information about how we keep our schools safe and welcoming on our Safe Haven webpage. This page includes steps the district would take if an immigration agent were to come to a school, school bus, home visit, or field trip, along with community resources.

Seniors—Apply for College Scholarships!

MPS scholarship information is available to students in Xello and through the MPS Scholarship Google Folder. The folder includes event flyers, scholarship applications, presentations, and the 2025–26 MPS Scholarships & College and Career Opportunity list. All materials can be viewed online, downloaded, and printed at any time.

Families are encouraged to visit the MPS Scholarships webpage for additional resources on college affordability and to connect with their student’s school counselor or College and Career Center advisor for one-on-one assistance.

Direct Admit Applications Are Open! 

MPS high school juniors: Apply to 12 Wisconsin colleges and universities in less than 10 minutes!

Direct Admit is a set of streamlined applications that connect your MPS academic records directly to the schools of your choice. Fill out a simple form with your student information.

• Apply to 10 University of Wisconsin campuses, MATC, and/or Alverno College
• Application is free
• No attachments or transcripts are needed
• No essay or letters of recommendation!

What happens next?

• Accepted candidates will receive offers and will need to officially accept the offer of their choice and complete forms required by the school they select.
• Students must graduate from high school in spring or summer of their senior year.
• Start college in Fall 2027!

Learn more at mpsmke.com/directadmit!

Apply now!

Need Money for College? Fill out the FAFSA!

The first step in finding money for college is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The application is now open for students who will start college in Fall 2026. Students who apply early might have more money available to them because some funding is limited.

This application is free and will reveal what loans and grants might be available to students. Read more about FAFSA. Help is available to students through MPS College and Career Centers.

Where's the Bus?

Download the App!

Student safety is a top priority in MPS. District families have access to an exciting app to help track their child’s bus—WheresTheBus! This app allows families to track their child’s bus in real time. 

The app is free! Families can access WheresTheBus from any internet-enabled device—smartphone, tablet, PC, or iPad. Apple iOS and Android apps are available. 

To access WheresTheBus, families must have a Campus Parent (parent portal) account with a login and password. These can be set up two ways: 

• At each child’s school during regular school hours; an ID is required; OR
• At MPS Central Services, 5225 W. Vliet St., Milwaukee, WI 53208, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; an ID is required

Learn more and read how to access the app on the MPS website at WheresTheBus.

Sign up for Text Messages

Get important district and school messages sent to your phone!

Opt in by texting Y to 67587. This can be done for any mobile phone. For questions or assistance, please contact the Department of Communications and Marketing at comm@milwaukee.k12.wi.us.

Stay Connected!

Campus Parent Portal Technical Support

Live Campus Parent support is available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

To recover a username/password: Parents or guardians should email parentportal@milwaukee.k12.wi.us. Include the parent or guardian name, child’s name, birth date, and a contact number. If you do not receive a phone call or email within 24 hours, please call (414) 475-8159 for further assistance.

For assistance setting up a new Campus Parent account: Parents or guardians may call (414) 475-8159 or email parentportal@milwaukee.k12.wi.us

Milwaukee Board of School Directors

Upcoming Meetings: April

If you'd like to follow the meetings of the Milwaukee Board of School Directors, visit the Milwaukee Board of School Directors page to find the meeting schedule, agendas, and links to watch or listen to live meetings. Instructions for public testimony are also offered on this page.

Regular Monthly Board Meeting: Thurs. Apr. 23, 5:30 p.m.

Annual Organizational Meeting: Tues. Apr. 28, 5:30 p.m.