FROM THE DESK OF

Anthony McHenry

December 2019
Dear MAS partners and friends,

The end of the year provides an opportunity for us to reflect on the wins, losses, and lessons learned. MAS had our share of each in 2019.

The losses are the most significant possible ; we lost a Senior who died in a car accident in April. Three weeks later a veteran teacher in our high school unexpectedly passed away at her home. The impact of these losses was significant to our school...especially for our Seniors, as Larenzo Jones started at MAS as a K4 student allowing for 14 years worth of relationships with many of his classmates and staff. The teacher, Ms. Kristin Frew , was among MAS’ best at building relationships and was like a surrogate mother/sister/aunt for many in the senior class. These losses, this level of trauma, on top of the persistent challenges that most of our scholars face daily, would derail most.... And yet...
The senior class responded to these traumatic experiences by being the FIFTH consecutive class with 100% graduation rates and post-secondary acceptance. One of Larenzo’s best friends, who also started in K4, was the last to graduate. It took heroic efforts by our staff, along with his own dose of resilience and grit, to get him across the finish line. Larenzo’s other best friend (she too started in K4), struggled to regain her purpose for living after losing him, but bounced back in time to secure her full-athletic scholarship to the University of Virginia. Needless to say, our graduation ceremony in June was a touching memorial. There was not a dry eye in the house.
So, what are the lessons learned from the tragedy and triumph of our graduating class of 2019?

1) The family dynamics happening at MAS allows for us to do the impossible. We do not take our 100% graduation rate lightly. We know how hard it can be to get to the finish line. This year we worked harder than ever to ensure EVERY SINGLE Senior finished what they started at MAS.

2) Providing a quality education is only the start of our task. Creating hope, a belief in themselves, and a pathway for success is equally important and sometimes the most challenging aspect.

3) Although we don't have the financial resources to hire school social workers and counselors and other supports a student body that is 94.5% economically disadvantaged deserves; we can and shall overcome these barriers with support from our tremendous community partners.

4) THESE kids can learn! According to the DPI report card we are the ONLY north side school serving kids through 12 th grade with 90% or more economically disadvantaged students to earn the “Exceeding Expectations” rating. And this is our 3rd consecutive year doing so....
We will be even better in 2020. Thanks to supporters like you and amazing new partnerships starting in 2020, we will see major gains in our academic performance and social-emotional performance of our scholars. For those reasons and many more, I am excited about the New Year and our continued relationship/partnership with you.

Please enjoy your holiday season and consider Milwaukee Academy Science in your end-of year-giving . A special thanks to all those who supported us at our Annual Gala in November...it was an amazing evening!
Your support is crucial to the improvements we plan, momentum we have gained, and goals we have for the future.

In partnership,

Anthony McHenry

Chief Executive Officer
Milwaukee Academy of Science