Contracted School Services
Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) provides a variety of educational and programming opportunities for its students, including charter schools, partnership schools, and other contracted educational programs.
The Department of Contracted School Services (CSS) supports the development, successful implementation, and ongoing accountability of these schools and programs. CSS is responsible for continual oversight, performance evaluation, and compliance monitoring.
Milwaukee Public Schools Annual Charter School Authorizer Report
VIEW THE 2024–25 CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORIZER REPORT
Charter Schools
Charter schools are public schools that are exempt from following most rules in Wisconsin Statutes, Chapters 115–121. This means they gain more freedom, but they must still adhere to any laws or agreements outlined in their charter. They must also meet higher standards of accountability.
MPS has two types of charter schools:
- Instrumentality charter schools are staffed by MPS employees in a building that is owned or leased by MPS.
- Non-instrumentality charter schools are staffed by non-MPS employees in buildings that are owned or leased by the school.
Instrumentality Charter Schools
- Academia de Lenguaje y Bellas Artes (ALBA): K3–8
- The Alliance School of Milwaukee: 9–12
- GreenTree Preparatory Academy: 6–12
- Honey Creek Continuous Progress Charter School: K4–5
- Individualized Developmental Educational Approaches to Learning (I.D.E.A.L.): K4–8
- Milwaukee Virtual School (MVS): K4–12
- Whittier Elementary School: K4–5
Academia de Lenguaje y Bellas Artes (ALBA): K3–8
The Alliance School of Milwaukee: 9–12
GreenTree Preparatory Academy: 6–12
Honey Creek Continuous Progress Charter School: K4–5
Individualized Developmental Educational Approaches to Learning (I.D.E.A.L.): K4–8
Milwaukee Virtual School (MVS): K4–12
Whittier Elementary School: K4–5
Non-Instrumentality Charter Schools
- Carmen Middle and High Schools of Science and Technology (multiple locations)
- La Causa Charter School (two locations)
- Highland Community School: K3–8
- Hmong American Peace Academy (HAPA) (two locations)
- Milwaukee College Prep (MCP): K4–8 (multiple locations)
- Next Door Charter School: K4 (multiple locations)
Carmen Middle and High Schools of Science and Technology (multiple locations)
La Causa Charter School (two locations)
Highland Community School: K3–8
Hmong American Peace Academy (HAPA) (two locations)
Milwaukee College Prep (MCP): K4–8 (multiple locations)
Next Door Charter School: K4 (multiple locations)
Partnership Schools
Partnership schools are operated by community-based agencies or organizations under contract with MPS. These schools partner with MPS to provide educational options for parents/guardians of students who are at risk of not completing high school (as defined by Wisconsin Statute 118.153) or provide other educational programming or services that meet the district's identified programming needs. Eligibility for enrollment at partnership schools is based on statutory definitions, individual program criteria, parent/guardian permission, and/or seat availability.
Partnership schools are categorized as at-risk or behavioral reassignment schools or programs.
At-Risk Schools
Behavioral Reassignment Schools and Contracted Programs
New Charter or Partnership Schools
Learn more about opening a new charter school or partnership school.
Existing Charter or Partnership Schools
Find useful documents, resources, and tools if you are operating an existing charter school or partnership school.