Strategic Plan and Initiatives
Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) has ambitious goals for student achievement, graduation rates, staff development, district rightsizing, and more.
Strategic Plan
Here’s what we’re focusing on for the 2023–2028 school years.
Student Achievement and Graduation
- By 2028, MPS will see at least 50% of all students meeting proficiency or higher as measured by multiple student achievement measures.
- MPS will increase the graduation rate to over 75% in the next five years and will increase all student readiness that prepares them for success in higher education, post-education opportunities, work, and citizenship.
Staff: Morale and Professional Learning
- Annually, staff morale will improve as staff feel valued, safe, and supported to do their work successfully.
- By 2028, all MPS staff will receive professional learning opportunities to improve their performance and opportunities for advancement within their careers.
Rightsizing the District
- By 2028, MPS will implement a long-term facilities master plan to address the needs identified in the strategic planning survey (e.g., building systems, bathroom upgrades, space utilization, enrollment patterns, and programming needs).
- By 2028, MPS will have sufficient schools to offer equitable programming to all students and sufficient fully licensed staffing to fill all classrooms.
Special Projects
Budget Planning
By the end of the 2027–28 school year, the Office of Finance will increase education of and engagement in the budget process at the district and school levels.
Calendar
By the 2024–25 school year, the Office of Human Resources will address the implementation of one versus two calendars.
Communications
By 2028, the Office of Communications and Marketing will develop and implement a communications plan to improve the image of the district and update the website.
School Lunch Program
By the 2027–28 school year, the Department of Nutrition Services will increase student knowledge of USDA guidelines while improving the quality of food services.
Initiatives
Ambitious Instruction Plan
The Ambitious Instruction Plan focuses on the basics of quality learning and teaching. It unites all content areas around (1) formative practices, (2) explicit instruction, and (3) meaningful student engagement. Each grade level and content area embraces specific instructional practices around these areas.
Growing a Greener District
To enhance the quality of life for Milwaukee’s students and the entire community, MPS has committed to property improvements, sustainable practices, and environmental education that will conserve resources, contribute to a healthier city, and develop students who are aware and proactive about caring for their world.
Explore Our Schoolyard Redevelopment Projects
Literacy
MPS is focused on helping all students read—and all means all—through a “science of reading” approach. We’re shifting from focusing on intervening with struggling students to instead providing high-quality literacy instruction to all students from the very start, which includes an intentional focus on “decoding” words by sounding them out. Forty hours of intensive training is helping make all educators experts in the science of reading.
M3 (M-Cubed)
M³ is a partnership between MPS, Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC), and the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (UWM) that seeks to transform the future of Milwaukee. Through collaboration, coordination, and partnership, we will increase the retention, graduation, and career success of our students and provide a prepared workforce and citizenry for the Wisconsin economy.