Milwaukee
Milwaukee, the largest city in Wisconsin, can be credited as the birthplace of modern bilingual programming in the state. The city has not only robust language programming within “regular” schools, but almost a dozen schools devoted specifically to language study — including the only public Italian school in the nation!
MPS Schools and Programs
Milwaukee French Immersion School
“Milwaukee French Immersion (MFIS) is a high-achieving PUBLIC school. We provide English-speaking pupils Pre-K4 through 5th grade the opportunity to learn French in an environment where French is the primary language of instruction, and we also adhere to aspects of the Wisconsin curriculum and common core. Our 5th-grade students have the opportunity to travel nationally or internationally to locations where they get to utilize their French language in an immersed setting.”
Milwaukee German Immersion School
“Milwaukee German Immersion School is a 4-year old kindergarten through grade 5 elementary school founded by Milwaukee Public Schools in 1977. We serve as a city-wide school to attract children from all parts of the Milwaukee area with our innovative total language immersion program.’
Milwaukee Spanish Immersion School
“Every student will be socially equipped to respect all individuals and to appreciate each others’ differences. Student in our Immersion Program, within 7 years, will reach proficient levels in Spanish and English. MSIS students will become world ambassadors who will raise cultural and social awareness.
Students in K4, K5 and grade 1 are only instructed in Spanish. Students begin Reading in English and Language Arts lessons in grade 2 and continue to be instructed in Spanish in all other subject areas except English. By grade 5, the students will receive approximately 80% of their instruction in Spanish and 20% of their instruction in English.”
Victory Italian Immersion School
“Victory School’s Italian Immersion Program was launched in September 2006 beginning with four-year-old kindergarten. The program is believed to be the first of its kind in the United States. Throughout the school day, students are taught exclusively in Italian as they learn about the Italian language and culture. As the students progress through the grade levels, they continue studying Italian in an effort to become fully immersed in the language and culture. While learning a new language and developing fundamental skills for success in the classroom, students explore the rich heritage of Italy.
The Italian Immersion Program is supported by our amazing Italian Immersion parents and staff, the Order Sons of Italy/Mazzei Lodge, WisItalia, the National Italian-American Foundation, and the Italian Community Center (ICC).
Currently, our Italian Immersion program has availability from K4 – 5th grade.”
Riverwest School
“Riverwest Elementary School serves an ethnically-diverse group of students from grades K3-5.” It is mentioned under the directory of bilingual schools.
Milwaukee Academy of Chinese Language + International Newcomer Center
“Milwaukee Academy of Chinese (MACL) is a K3 through eighth grade traditional school that offers various programs to support students’ social and academic success. MACL is the first MPS program to offer instruction in Mandarin Chinese. Students in grades K4 through eight receive weekly Mandarin language instruction. This coursework also increases students’ global understanding of various Asian cultures and their influence on the global community.
MACL also houses the International Newcomer Center (INC), a program that serves recently arrived middle school refugee students. In this program, students learn academic content while simultaneously acquiring the English language.”
Milwaukee School of Languages
MSL offers immersion programs in French, German, and Spanish, as well as a non-immersive Japanese program.
ACADEMIA DE LENGUAJE Y BELLAS ARTES (ALBA)
“Academia De Languaje Y Bellas Artes (ALBA) was founded on the conviction that bilingual students can reach their full potential academically, in English and Spanish, when challenged through rigorous academic studies, the integration of fine arts, the development of critical thinking, problem solving, and creative abilities. Self-confidence and self-worth are developed as the students' cultural identity is both recognized and valued through curriculum. Partnerships with local arts organizations provide enrichment opportunities in music, art, and dance.”
Allen-Field Elementary
“The Bilingual-Bicultural Program enhances the attainment of language skills while promoting an appreciation for the Hispanic culture. […] At the Elementary level, students in kindergarten and grade 1 receive initial instruction in Spanish with more formal English reading being introduced in grade 2. Classes are taught in small group and full classroom formats. The Bilingual-Bicultural Program is designed to ensure that English Language Learners (ELL) students are proficient, fluent and literate in English. At the same time, the program ensures the retention and progression of the primary language (Spanish). The native language is integrated into the solid acquisition of the second language (English). In addition, English As a Second Language (ESL) services are incorporated to improve listening, speaking, reading and writing expertise.”
Audubon Technology & Communication Center Middle School
“Audubon Technology and Communication Middle School is a traditional, comprehensive middle school serving monolingual and bilingual students in grades 6-8.”
DOERFLER SCHOOL
“Anna F. Doerfler School serves students in grades K4-8. The school values the culturally-diverse student population and supports it with a bilingual program for grades K4-5. Doerfler participates in the AGR program which allows class sizes in grades K5-3 to remain at an 18:1 student-to-teacher ratio.”
FOREST HOME AVENUE SCHOOL
“Forest Home Avenue School offers families a developmental bilingual program along with the traditional monolingual program in grades K3 through 5.”
La Escuela Fratney
“La Escuela Fratney provides a rigorous curriculum in English and Spanish that includes a focus on multiculturalism and collaboration with both parents and the community. Dual-language immersion allows English-speaking students to learn Spanish as their Spanish classmates learn English.”
Read About La Escuela Fratney in Rethinking Bilingual Education
Greenfield School
“Greenfield School offers a K4-8 experience in a bilingual, multi-ethnic neighborhood school setting. The school offers full-time music, physical education, and art specialists.”
HAYES BILINGUAL SCHOOL
“Hayes Bilingual Elementary is a citywide two-way immersion bilingual school located in the heart of the south side. Our diverse population consists of both English dominant and Spanish dominant students. The unique make up of our staff creates an atmosphere conducive to dual language acquisition. The vision of Hayes Bilingual is to enable students to become bilingual and bi-literate in English and Spanish through a dual language model in a culturally responsive environment.”
Kagel Elementary School
“Kagel offers students a small, neighborhood school environment with the option of a Dual Language Program to prepare for an increasingly global society.”
Escuela Vieau
“Vieau, a high achieving school, offers a monolingual and bilingual curriculum focused on improving achievement in reading, mathematics, science and writing.”
Listen to the interview with Zaachila Casas to learn more!
Lincoln Avenue School
“The goal of the Developmental Bilingual Program is the development and maintenance of Spanish and English, bilingualism, biliteracy and cross cultural competence from elementary school to high school and to serve English language learners from Spanish speaking families.
Lincoln Avenue School takes pride in its developmental bilingual program. Our goal is that students enrolled in the developmental bilingual program leave our school by 5th grade reading, writing and speaking proficiently in Spanish AND English.
Requirements:
Spanish MUST be the first or native language of the student.
Spanish MUST be spoken at home.
Students attempting to transfer to the bilingual program, MUST take Spanish proficiency test (please contact school to set-up appointment).”
Lincoln Center of the Arts
“LCA’s Dual Bilingual Program provides opportunities for both Spanish and English dominant students to become proficient in two languages, develop an understanding of another culture and reach academic excellence. Spanish dominant students become literate in their native language as well as English. English dominant students develop high levels of proficiency in a second language while perfecting communication and writing skills in English. LCA’s English Language Learners (ELL) receive additional support from English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers.” LCA is a 6-8 middle school.
Longfellow School
“At H.W. Longfellow, classroom teachers provide bilingual students with language-appropriate instruction in Spanish and English while supporting their development with technological resources and online programs. By accommodating English Language Learners (ELL), the Longfellow staff embraces diversity and teaches all students to respect and learn from one another. ELL students who are eligible for services receive additional support from the English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers to help them become proficient in English. Students enrolled in the bilingual program are transitioned into English reading as they progress. The Longfellow community also supports the development of bilingual students using technological resources.”
Mitchell School
“Mitchell is a large bilingual school with a small-school atmosphere. […] The developmental bilingual program develops full English and Spanish language learning throughout the student’s elementary years. This program builds upon the student’s primary language skills and develops and expands the English language skills of each student to enable him or her to achieve proficiency in both languages while providing access to the content areas. Bilingual Programs preserve and enhance students’ skills in their first language while they acquire increasing levels of English. The result is proficiency in both languages.”
Riley Dual Language Montessori
“Riley’s bilingual program maintains and develops the Spanish heritage language of students while they acquire language and biliteracy skills in English. Riley’s Dual-Language Montessori program develops students to be both bilingual and billiterate, speaking, reading, writing in both languages, through the Montessori method which fosters independence and problem-solving skills. Riley school will continue to be a multicultural school community that honors cultural diversity, promotes positive character development and leads to active citizenship.”
Wedgewood Park International School
“Wegewood Park International School is the first IB Middle Years Programme in the state of Wisconsin. The IB program is delivered with fidelity because each and every member of the staff is passionate about ensuring each student receives a high-quality middle school education. Eight subject areas are required in every IB Middle Years Programme and students have a minimum of 50 hours per school year in math, language and literature, language acquisition (Spanish), individuals and societies, science, performing arts, visual arts, design, and physical education. Additional advanced offerings for gifted students are available in math, science, writing, art, Spanish, and music.” Wedgewood is a 6-8 middle school.
Rogers Street Academy
“Rogers Street Academy is housed in one of the newest buildings in Milwaukee Public Schools. We offer structured monolingual and bilingual programs.”
Casimir Pulaski High School
“Pulaski is one of two bilingual high school programs in Milwaukee Public Schools. Students develop proficiency in Spanish and English for greater success in the post-secondary college and career settings. The goal is that students be bilingual and biliterate upon graduation.”
“Pulaski is also proud to have the largest English as a Second Language/Newcomer Program in MPS, further enriching our school culture and promoting the IB philosophy of international mindedness. Students receive intensive language acquisition courses in English and language support in all subject areas. Students are challenged academically while acquiring English.”
Pulaski offers Spanish for native Spanish speakers as well as ASL.
Learn more about Pulaski HS students in Green Card Youth Voices
Riverside High School
“RUHS is also known for its award-winning music, bilingual, and special education programs.”
South Division High School
“South Division High School is the largest bilingual high school in the state of Wisconsin.”
Additional Unique High School Programming
Spanish for Spanish Speakers – Introduction to Translation & Interpretation
CAPP Dual Credit
Latin
French and German Literature
An IB language program
Non-MPS Programming
Short list of adult language learning programs (most through UW-M continuing education): https://www.milwaukeemag.com/foreign-language-classes-milwaukee/
La Causa Charter School
“La Causa Charter School provides education to over 800 students in grades K4 through 8th in a bilingual multicultural environment. We value strong parental and community involvement from the families in our school. Our school team focuses on providing a solid, multi-cultural foundation, one that propels each child on to high school, college, and a lifetime of success in today’s ever-changing global workplace.”
Casa de Corazón
“Casa de Corazón is the premier Spanish immersion daycare and preschool in Shorewood, WI. Our focus on early childhood development and learning is an excellent steppingstone towards your child’s educational success. Our staff is loving and attentive to your children’s needs. We teach through a full-immersion approach that exposes children to correct grammatical and conversational Spanish. Through our immersion daycare and immersion preschool, your child will learn to speak a foreign language, gain a sense of security and develop a love of learning in a nurturing and caring environment.
SEA Literacy
“SEA Literacy was founded in 2011 by Bob Heffernan in response to the need for academic tutoring and cultural mentorship of refugee children from Burma, also called Myanmar, who now reside in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The refugee families fled their country to save their lives, escaping ethnic conflict which has existed for decades. Over 1,000 refugees live in the Milwaukee area. Most of them are ethnic minorities from Burma. SEA Literacy began when Bob, a landlord, noticed his refugee tenants were largely isolated from the larger Milwaukee community, the children’s school grades were woefully inadequate, and their English proficiency was not progressing. Captivated by the Burmese families’ humble, grateful nature and their indomitable spirit, Bob was compelled to help.
We primarily focus on assisting students with homework, ESL (English as a second language) activities, and developing social skills.
We began as a handful of individuals helping a group of 10 refugee kids with their homework and giving impromptu English lessons. Today, SEA Literacy serves around 80 active students with homework help, advanced tutoring, and whole-language based ESL projects.”
HAPA (Hmong American Peace Academy)
“HAPA stands for Hmong American Peace Academy which includes all of our preschool, elementary, middle school, and high school programs. HAPA is an innovative school based on an integrated triangular learning framework. Hmong heritage including the language, culture, and history components act as one side of the triangle. Side two of the triangle is a strong standards-based curriculum. The third side of the triangle is a community peace program known as Peacebuilders. Together, these programs form a powerful framework for educating students in a transformational way.”
Image/Video credits:
https://onmilwaukee.com/articles/kagelschool
https://onmilwaukee.com/articles/mpslisteningsessions
Unless otherwise noted, school images/logos come from school websites.