It’s almost time to enroll your future Milwaukee Public Schools student into kindergarten.
MPS kindergarten priority enrollment for 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds opens Saturday, Jan. 31 and runs for four weeks until Monday, March 2. Parents should enroll during this period to ensure their child gets a spot at their preferred school.
MPS has many schools to choose from with different programs for all three age groups. Here’s what you need to know about enrolling your child for the upcoming school year.
Is my child old enough for kindergarten?
Your child can enter kindergarten as early as 3 years old, depending on the program your school of interest offers.
Chris Bucher, director of communications at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, said it’s optional to enroll children aged 3 and 4 in kindergarten but not required.
Five-year-olds should be enrolled in kindergarten — the state of Wisconsin will prohibit students from entering first grade if they haven’t completed 5-year-old kindergarten.
How do I choose a school?
First, check to see which schools offer a kindergarten program that fits your child’s age. MPS offers kindergarten programs for children aged 3 to 5.
Some schools only offer kindergarten to children of certain ages, sorted by K3, K4 and K5. The map below shows MPS elementary schools and for which ages they offer kindergarten programs.
Enrollment is based on what age a child is by Sept. 1. For example, if your child turned 4 on Aug. 29, they would be eligible for K4.
K3: Children must be 3 on or before Sept. 1. K3 seats are limited. Kindergarten for 3-year-olds helps children learn classroom routines and get excited about school, learning through movement, music, art and play.
K4: Children must be 4 on or before Sept. 1. Four-year-olds learn skills like counting and letter recognition and build good classroom habits.
K5: Children must be 5 years old on or before Sept. 1. Kindergarten for 5-year-olds prepares children for first grade.
Not all schools offer the same programs. If your child has a disability, check to see if the school has a special education program that can accommodate them.
Some schools such as La Escuela Fratney, Greenfield Bilingual and Escuela Vieau also offer bilingual and multilingual programs.
Priority for kindergarten enrollment is given to siblings of students who are currently attending or are already enrolled in the school of choice for the upcoming year.
Students enrolling in a K3 or K4 program typically remain at their selected school each school year, said Michael Spidell, MPS enrollment manager.
“This continuity is particularly important for schools with specialty programs, such as language immersion or Montessori curricula,” Spidell said. “Many students in Milwaukee Public Schools remain at the same school from K3 through the highest grade offered at that site, whether that is 5th, 8th or 12th grade.”
Where do I register?
You can register using the online enrollment portal or in person at the kindergarten enrollment fair (see below) or the MPS Central Office, 5225 W Vliet St., from Saturday, Jan. 31 to Monday, March 2.
Spidell said the district makes school selections after the enrollment period has closed, and families who apply on the first day of the enrollment period don’t have an advantage over those who apply on the final day.
“Placement is determined through a weighted lottery process, as established by the Board of School Directors,” Spidell said.
What if I miss the deadline?
It’s recommended that you register within the enrollment period, as you will have a lower chance of getting a seat in the school of your choice if you miss the deadline. You will still be able to enroll your child after March 2, but some schools might be filled.
What about before- and after-school care?
A select number of MPS schools offer Community Learning Centers (CLC) through Milwaukee Recreation.
Community Learning Centers provide academic enrichment outside school hours. Some schools offer support before school, and all offer after-school hours.
You must typically pay a fee to enroll your child in a CLC program, but there are options for those with the inability to pay. Contact your school for more information.
Where can I learn more?
MPS is hosting two enrollment fairs during the kindergarten enrollment period. Learn about available schools and programs, meet school administration and learn about before- and after-school care programs.
Interpreters will be available at both fairs.
South Division High School: Saturday, Jan. 31– The fair will take place from 9 a.m. to noon at the high school, 1515 W. Lapham Blvd.
North Division High School: Saturday, Feb. 21– The fair happens from 9 a.m. to noon at the high school, 1011 W. Center St.
Where can I go to get help with the application?
Help will be available at the enrollment fairs. You can also contact the Department of Student Services at (414) 475-8159 or enrollmentsupport@milwaukee.k12.wi.us.
Alex Klaus is the education solutions reporter for theMilwaukee Neighborhood News Service and a corpsmember of Report for America, a national serviceprogram that places journalists in local newsrooms toreport on under-covered issues and communities. Reportfor America plays no role in editorial decisions in theNNS newsroom.
Jonathan Aguilar is a visual journalist at MilwaukeeNeighborhood News Service who is supported through apartnership between CatchLight Local and Report forAmerica.
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