Family Friday Newsletter March 13, 2026

MPS Central Services Visitors: Take Our Survey!

At MPS Central Services, we're striving for excellence! We want your experience to be friendly and efficient.

To help us improve, we've launched our new Customer Service Survey. Tell us if we've done a great job, or if we missed the mark.

Adult visitors can scan the QR code posted in offices around the building to take the survey. Responses are anonymous and will help us shape a great experience for all.

We want to hear from you!

Find out more about our new survey.

News and Updates

REMINDER—Spring Break

MPS students are getting ready to enjoy time off for spring break! All MPS schools will be closed March 30 to April 3 (return on April 6).

All MPS locations, including Central Services, will be closed on Friday, April 3, 2026.

Have a safe and relaxing spring break!

All MPS Students Receive Free Breakfast and Lunch on School Days

MPS is proud to serve free breakfast and lunch to all students on school days. School meals are funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Because MPS participates in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), every student is eligible for free breakfast and lunch regardless of income, and families do not need to submit an application.

Find breakfast and lunch menus at mpsmke.com/menus so all children can participate!

Student Job Fair—Get Hired!

MPS high school juniors and seniors are invited to the MPS Student Job Fair!

Juniors: Attend on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.

Seniors: Attend on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

Bus transportation is available to the UWM Student Union and back to school.

For more information, contact your school counselor or visit your school's College and Career Center.

Employers: Space is still available! The fair is free to attend. Parking is included.

Junior Job Fair: March 25, 9:15 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

Space is limited! Senior Job Fair: April 22, 9:15 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

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.

Grades K5–8 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.

Every Day Counts!

Help Is Available to Support Attendance

We want all our students to get to school safely every day so they can continue good attendance habits that started in fall.

If you need help motivating your child or getting students to school, contact the Parent Coordinator at your child's school. They can help you locate resources to make sure children are in school.

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

District Weekly Highlight

MPS Graduation Rate Reaches

15-Year High

New data released by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction show a positive trend in Milwaukee Public Schools.

The four-year graduation rate grew from 64% for the class of 2021 to 68% for the class of 2024 and now 72% for the class of 2025. Data show long-term growth across all racial-ethnic groups represented in the district: Asian, Black, Hispanic, Native American, White, and multiracial students.

In case you missed it . . .

MPS Reads

Each month, MPS provides a list of recommended books for preschool through grade 12 that allows students to see themselves, explore other cultures, and discover more about the world in which they live.

Help ignite a passion for reading! Access the monthly book list on the MPS Reads page.

MCTS Spring Bus Service Changes

On March 8, the Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) rolled out its spring service changes. All families are encouraged to review their student’s route to see if any updates apply.

Some bus routes have been shortened
Some routes are continuing or beginning detours due to construction
A few routes have schedule adjustments to improve reliability

These changes are likely to affect the following schools:

Bradley Tech High School
North Division High School
Riverside University High School
South Division High School
Washington High School of Information Technology

Please check bus routes and travel time and allow extra time when needed. For the most up-to-date information, visit RideMCTS.com/ServiceChanges.

Thank you for helping your student plan ahead and travel safely!

Fearless Dreamer Scholarship

by American Family Insurance & Milwaukee Brewers

The Fearless Dreamer Scholarship provides funding for five Milwaukee students who plan to enroll full time in a two- or four-year accredited institution. Each scholarship is worth $2,500 a year and is renewable for up to four additional years, or until the recipient earns a degree, for a maximum of $12,500.

View the eligibility criteria and apply at the Fearless Dreamer Scholarship Program website.

Applications for 2026 scholarships will be accepted through March 31, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. CST. All applicants will be notified of scholarship recipients in June 2026.

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.

MPS high schools will host College Ca$h Workshops during the week of February 23–27, 2026. These workshops give students dedicated time and support to apply for scholarships.

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.

Milwaukee Direct Admit Application Is Open!

MPS high school juniors: Apply to 11 Wisconsin colleges and universities in less than 5 minutes!

Milwaukee Direct Admit is a streamlined application that connects 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 and MATC
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!

Milwaukee Direct Admit is sponsored by M-Cubed — transforming the future of Milwaukee through education.

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.

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!

MPS offers tools to help families find the information and support they need. Log in to the Campus Parent portal and follow us on social media. The parent coordinator at your child's school also can assist.

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: March & 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.

Special Board Meeting: Tues. Mar. 17, 5:00 p.m.

Committee on Legislation, Rules, and Policies: Tues. Mar. 17, 6:00 p.m.

Committee on Accountability, Finance, and Personnel: Tues. Mar. 24, 5:30 p.m.

Regular Monthly Board Meeting: Thurs. Mar. 26, 5:30 p.m.

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

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