Pick your program, apply to your school. Apply to MPS high schools by November 2nd, 2026, for the best opportunity to be admitted to the school of your choice.
Apply to Your Chosen School(s)
Plan Your Visit: Fall Open Houses
Visit our schools during their enrollment open houses to take a tour and learn more about what they offer. (You can also contact them directly with questions!)
Search for Schools: High School Programs and Athletic Opportunities
Use our helpful search tool to compare MPS high schools and find the one that fits your interests and goals. You can filter to search for:
- Agriculture
- Advanced Placement (AP) Courses
- Art, Music, & Theater
- Automotive
- College Prep
- Culinary Arts
- Dual Enrollment for College Credit
- Engineering
- Health Care
- Information Technology
- International Baccalaureate (IB)
- Internships & Apprenticeships
- Manufacturing
- Montessori
- Skilled Trades & Construction
You can also learn more about schools at the annual High School Enrollment Fair. This event brings together staff from all MPS high schools and is a great opportunity to ask questions.
Consider Admission Criteria for High-Demand Schools
If an MPS high school receives more applications than the number of available seats, the school will use admission criteria to determine who can attend. Student applications will be evaluated and given a points score (out of 12) that is based on five criteria: seventh-grade report card (5 points), seventh-grade attendance (3 points), writing activity (2 points), and standardized test scores in English language arts and math (1 point each).
The six MPS schools who used admission criteria for the 2026–27 school year accepted students based on these minimum scores:
- Ronald Wilson Reagan College Preparatory High School: 11 points
- Golda Meir School: 10 points
- Rufus King International High School: 7 points
- Audubon Technology & Communication Center: 7 points
- MacDowell Montessori: 4 points
- Milwaukee School of Languages: 2 points
Points Breakdown by Category
These criteria are used for admission at any school that receives more applicants than available seats.
- Grade 7 Report Card (up to 5 points)
- Grade 7 Attendance (up to 3 points)
- Grade 7 ELA Score (up to 1 point)
- Grade 7 Math Score (up to 1 point)
- Grade 8 Writing Activity (up to 2 points)
Grade 7 Report Card (up to 5 points)
Grade 7 Attendance (up to 3 points)
Grade 7 ELA Score (up to 1 point)
Grade 7 Math Score (up to 1 point)
Grade 8 Writing Activity (up to 2 points)
Admittance
Students who are accepted will receive a school assignment letter in the mail. For schools with limited seats, students who did not make the cutoff but met the eligibility criteria will be automatically placed on the school’s waitlist. If you are waitlisted, your letter will let you know. As the school year approaches, spots may open for waitlisted students. Schools will contact parents/guardians directly if seats become available.