
September 27, 2016

What have you heard about Milwaukee Public Schools lately? If what comes to mind is something negative-increasing class sizes, not enough quality teachers and school staff, trauma and violence, I want you to hit pause on those thoughts.
The Milwaukee Community Schools Partnership (MCSP) is a collective strategy to transform schools into a place where students, families, staff, and the surrounding community can work together to ensure every student is successful. The MCSP is currently in it’s 3rd year of implementation.
Each Community School may use different strategies and activities to improve its school and community, but each share these guiding principles:
- Shared Leadership that engages multiple voices in decision-making and implementation. A full-time Community School Coordinator that supports continuous communication between all stakeholders in the development of a strategic plan.
- A focus on Equity to ensure all activities are fair and just so that all can participate, prosper and reach their full potential.
- Cultural Relevance that builds on the assets of the entire community and responds to the self-identities of students, families, school staff and community members.
There are currently six schools involved with the MCSP: Auer Avenue Community School, Bradley Tech High School, Browning Elementary, Hopkins Lloyd Community School, James Madison Academic Campus, and Lincoln Avenue School.
This episode we hear from Ryan Hurley, director of Community Schools and Danielle Costello, Family and Community Engagement Specialist at MPS about this bold, transformative project. Together, they were part of the team that began this partnership, and they share what they’ve learned so far.
Read more about the Milwaukee Community Schools Partnership.