Thank you for your interest in the MPS Head Start program!
After submitting your interest form, one of our Head Start representatives will contact you to schedule a registration appointment.
Remember to have the following documents available at your registration appointment:
1. Proof of income (12 months' prior total household income), which can include the following:
- W-2 tax form or 1040 tax form
- Recent check stub (12 months' prior total household income)
- Foster care/kinship placement letter
- Supplemental Social Security (SSI)
- W-2 public assistance (TANF) or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Please note that total household income includes the income of your spouse and the child’s parental guardians residing in the household and related by blood, marriage, or adoption. Total income includes any child support or maintenance payments received.
2. Proof of child's date of birth – birth certificate or medical record with date of birth listed
3. Proof of address –to prove residency in the city of Milwaukee (utility bill, etc.)
2022–23 Head Start Schools
ALBA – Early Start Calendar
Academia de Lenguaje y Bellas Artes
(414) 902-7525
1712 S. 32nd Street
Program Focus
Academia de Lenguaje 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, and the development of critical thinking, problem solving, and creative abilities. Self-confidence and self-worth are developed as the student's cultural identity is both recognized and valued through curriculum. Partnerships with local arts organizations provide enrichment opportunities in music, art, and dance. Parental involvement is a vital component to the success of students. Families at ALBA support the school's uniform and no-transportation policies to maintain focus on learning.
School Type Regular education
Region Southwest
Transportation No transportation
Allen-Field School – Traditional Start Calendar
(414) 902-9200
730 W. Lapham Boulevard
Program Focus
Allen-Field School is a place of excellence where every student will be equipped with 21st-century skills to succeed in middle school and beyond. The school emphasizes high standards and a safe, positive learning environment. Allen-Field features the Achievement Gap Reduction (AGR) program in K5–grade 3 classrooms. In 2012 and 2013, Allen-Field was recognized as a Wisconsin PBIS Network School of Distinction. All students participate in the Playworks program, which helps to create a safe and positive school environment in the classroom and on the playground. All students receive music and art instruction from a certified specialist teacher. Through the music program, students have an opportunity to participate in a student drumming group.
School Type Regular education
Region Southwest
Transportation Provided within transportation region (walk zone excluded)
Auer Avenue School – Traditional Start Calendar
(414) 875-4500
2319 W. Auer Avenue
Program Focus
Auer Avenue School's mission is to build leaders, thinkers, and creative minds for tomorrow. The school offers a standards-based curriculum emphasizing higher-level thinking and research-based instruction. Auer Avenue School is departmentalized in K–grade 5. The positive learning environment includes Student Council, girls' group, art club, chess club, music club, physical education, and extracurricular activities. There is an after-school community learning center program with academic support and recreational activities. Auer strives to provide optimal opportunities for each student to excel academically and behaviorally. The goal is to be an instrumental part of preparing students to be college-ready citizens.
School Type Regular education
Region Central
Transportation COPES cluster
Bethune Academy – Traditional Start Calendar
Mary McLeod Bethune Academy
(414) 934-4600
1535 N. 35th Street
Program Focus
At Bethune Academy, staff emphasizes excellence with a safe, positive, structured environment in which specialists provide classes in art, music, physical education, and technology. The school is committed to preparing students to succeed in college and careers.
School Type Regular education
Region Central
Transportation Provided within transportation region (walk zone excluded)
Browning School – Traditional Start Calendar
(414) 393-5200
5440 N. 64th Street
Program Focus
Browning School is a place of collaboration and learning where professionals, parents, and community members share a passion for the school by ensuring that all students become college and career ready. Staff provides a safe, nurturing environment with high academic and behavior expectations for all students. Staff plans and presents challenging lessons aligned to the Common Core State Standards through a culturally responsive lens, facilitates student-centered activities to foster engagement, differentiates instruction for student needs, monitors student progress and adjusts instruction accordingly, and consistently implements PBIS throughout the entire school day in all settings.
School Type Regular education
Region Transformation
Transportation Provided within transportation region (walk zone excluded)
Bruce School – Traditional Start Calendar
William George Bruce School
(414) 393-2100
6453 N. 89th Street
Program Focus
The vision of Bruce School is to deliver a high-quality educational experience to all students with the expectation that they will be college and career ready without remediation. Bruce School features the Achievement Gap Reduction (AGR) program in K5–grade 3 classrooms; a technology lab; art, music, and physical education; and Student Council. Before- and after-school child care is available along with after-school athletics and activities for the whole family. The school loves to showcase the accomplishments of students and staff, and it has been featured in various news reports for positive efforts. Bruce School has been honored to be named a PBIS School of Merit and Distinction for reinforcing positive behavior.
School Type Regular education
Region Transformation
Transportation Provided within transportation region (walk zone excluded)
Carson Academy – Traditional Start Calendar
Dr. Benjamin Carson Academy of Science
(414) 393-4800
4920 W. Capitol Drive
Program Focus
Carson Academy of Science works in partnership with parents and community to develop a supportive relationship for students' learning, self-confidence, and a positive attitude toward science, math, and technology. The school's partnership with Arts @ Large brings arts to students. Carson challenges students with a rigorous curriculum.
School Type Regular education
Region Northwest
Transportation Provided within transportation region (walk zone excluded)
Congress School – Early Start Calendar
(414) 616-5300
5225 W. Lincoln Creek Drive
Program Focus
Congress School is committed to creating a well-prepared and caring community of learners in which students work hard to be successful and learning never stops. The school offers extended-day activities, an all-day K3 Head Start, and NAEYC-accredited child care, which is available beginning with children who are two years old. Congress emphasizes communication, collaboration, consistency, continuity, and commitment and is frequently recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.
School Type Regular education
Region Northwest
Transportation Provided within transportation region (walk zone excluded)
Doerfler School – Traditional Start Calendar
Anna F. Doerfler School
(414) 902-9500
3014 W. Scott Street
Program Focus
Anna F. Doerfler School serves students in K4–grade 8. The school values the culturally diverse student population and supports it with a bilingual program K4 through grade 5. Doerfler features the Achievement Gap Reduction (AGR) program in K5–grade 3 classrooms.
School Type Regular education
Region Southwest
Transportation Provided within transportation region (walk zone excluded)
Forest Home Avenue School – Traditional Start Calendar
(414) 902-6200
1516 W. Forest Home Avenue
Program Focus
Forest Home Avenue School offers families a developmental bilingual program along with the traditional monolingual program K3 through grade 5. Forest Home features the Achievement Gap Reduction (AGR) program in K5–grade 3 classrooms. In addition, the school offers special education services; ESL; speech services; full-time art, music, and gym; and before- and after-school care.
School Type Regular education
Region Southwest
Transportation Provided within transportation region (walk zone excluded)
Franklin School – Traditional Start Calendar
Benjamin Franklin School
(414) 875-4400
2308 W. Nash Street
Program Focus
Benjamin Franklin School continues to be the cornerstone of its community, providing a rigorous curriculum and safe environment for all students. Staff strives to work with parents and community partners to provide a learning environment that allows students to thrive intellectually, socially, and physically in their pursuit of lifelong learning. The school is the first education choice of families. Upon graduation, students are prepared for success in high school, college, and the career of their choice.
School Type Regular education
Region Central
Transportation Provided within transportation region (walk zone excluded)
Grant Gordon (formerly Lee) Learning Center – Traditional Start Calendar
(414) 252-0350
921 W. Meinecke Avenue
Program Focus
Grant Gordon (formerly Lee) Learning Center is Milwaukee Public Schools' newest premier early childhood site, serving three-year-old Head Start students from the Milwaukee community. This comprehensive preschool gives students a head start by offering full-day services, small class sizes (17:2), individual instruction, standards-based curriculum, and highly qualified and caring staff. Students are provided with a nurturing environment with an emphasis on the five domains of learning: health and physical development, social and emotional development, language development and communication, approaches to learning, and cognition and general knowledge. This is done through a strong emphasis on allowing children to learn at their individual rate of development through active learning experiences. Grant Gordon Learning Center staff provides children with opportunities to explore and apply new skills by child-initiated activities and through interactions with peers, adults, and materials. All Head Start students receive vision, hearing, and dental screenings along with medical resources and support for good health. Students try new foods as meals are served family style in the classroom, and students follow hand washing and toothbrushing routines daily. Families are engaged as equal partners, which allows them to build strong relationships with staff and the school community to support well-being and ongoing learning development for both parents and children. The mission of the Grant Gordon Learning Center is to educate every child each day as he or she becomes ready for school and ready for life.
Grade K3 only
School Hours 7:35 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
School Type Regular education
Region Central
Transportation Provided within transportation region (walk zone excluded)
Community Partners Marquette University Dental School, Preferred Dental, UW–Extension, YogaKids, Mad Science
Parent and Family Resources Parent Resource Center, MPS Head Start administrative offices, training classes, parenting curriculum
Special Programming Hands-on science and STEM experiences, dance, music lessons
Hawthorne School – Early Start Calendar
Nathaniel Hawthorne School
(414) 247-7200
6945 N. 41st Street
Program Focus
Hawthorne Elementary is nestled in a quiet, working-class neighborhood on the northwest side of Milwaukee. The school has a diverse student population and offers a standards-based curriculum that emphasizes developmentally appropriate, focused instruction to promote academic success for all students. Hawthorne features the Achievement Gap Reduction (AGR) program in K5–grade 3 classrooms. The school's extended-year school program includes all-day K4; art, music, and physical education; and half-day K3 and all-day K4 Head Start, and it is supported by a part-time school nurse, guidance counselor, and physical education teacher. The school also offers after-school child care services (Camp Hawthorne) that provide academic enrichment and recreation activities. Hawthorne is proud to be recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction as a PBIS School of Distinction for promoting a positive learning environment for all students.
School Type Regular education
Region Northwest
Transportation Provided within transportation region (walk zone excluded)
Hayes Bilingual School – Traditional Start Calendar
(414) 902-9600
971 W. Windlake Avenue
Program Focus
At Hayes Bilingual Elementary School, all children develop language and literacy skills in both English and Spanish. Hayes Bilingual features the Achievement Gap Reduction (AGR) program in K5–grade 3 classrooms and offers all-day K3 Head Start.
Children are accepted only in kindergarten and first grade unless they have had previous instruction in the second language.
School Type Regular education
Region Southwest
Transportation Provided citywide (walk zone excluded)
Hopkins Lloyd School – Traditional Start Calendar
Hopkins Lloyd Community School
(414) 267-0600
1503 W. Hopkins Street
Program Focus
Hopkins Lloyd Community School engages students, parents, and the community to work toward the common goal of success for children while enriching parents' lives as well. Hopkins Lloyd features the Achievement Gap Reduction (AGR) program in K5–grade 3 classrooms. The school provides long, uninterrupted blocks of literacy and math in accordance with the rigorous Common Core State Standards to enhance these critical skills. Partners at the Marquette College of Education boost the reading program while City Year members support small-group intervention for students. Students at Hopkins Lloyd have access to a library, technology in the classroom and in computer labs, and coursework in music and art with Arts @ Large partners. The school uses research-based strategies to improve student achievement and to continuously monitor progress. Hopkins Lloyd provides special education services and access to a community learning center that offers tutoring and extracurricular activities. The school is a safe, positive learning environment in which students can grow academically while building connections to their community.
School Type Regular education
Region Central
Transportation COPES cluster
Jackson School – Traditional Start Calendar
Gwen T. Jackson Early Childhood and Elementary School
(414) 267-5500
2121 W. Hadley Street
Program Focus
Gwen T. Jackson School serves children from K3 through grade 5. The school's Head Start program offers half-day kindergarten for three-year-olds and all-day kindergarten for four-year-olds. The school has a beautiful, child-centered, open-concept facility. The community learning center ensures that academic support and recreation opportunities continue after school through a partnership with Neu-Life.
School Type Regular education
Region Central
Transportation COPES cluster
Kagel School – Traditional Start Calendar
Albert E. Kagel School
(414) 902-7400
1210 W. Mineral Street
Program Focus
Kagel School offers students a small, neighborhood school environment with the option of a bilingual program to prepare for an increasingly global society. The school is one of ten MPS GE Foundation Demonstration Schools, a distinction that provides the school with additional support to bolster student achievement and prepare students for college and career success through the Common Core State Standards. Collaboration is a driving force within the school culture. Families benefit from an all-day K4 program and a community learning center after-school program in partnership with Journey House. Kagel School offers an all-day K3 Head Start.
School Type Regular education
Region Southwest
Transportation Provided within transportation region (walk zone excluded)
Keefe Avenue School – Traditional Start Calendar
(414) 267-4800
1618 W. Keefe Avenue
Program Focus
Keefe Avenue School is an innovative K3–grade 8 school providing students with a strong academic curriculum based on the Common Core State Standards. The standards prepare Keefe's students for success in college and careers. Keefe Avenue School features the Achievement Gap Reduction (AGR) program in K5–grade 3 classrooms. The school's innovative instruction is enhanced by technology in the classrooms to improve the educational experience.
School Type Regular education
Region Central
Transportation COPES cluster
Kilbourn School – Traditional Start Calendar
Byron Kilbourn School
(414) 393-4500
5354 N. 68th Street
Program Focus
Kilbourn School offers a nurturing environment that encourages and prepares students to succeed. The school's curriculum is aligned to the rigorous Common Core State Standards. The school offers an accelerated reading program, engaging math, and before- and after-school enrichment programs for students.
School Type Regular education
Region Northwest
Transportation Provided within transportation region (walk zone excluded)
King ES – Traditional Start Calendar
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School
(414) 267-1500
3275 N. 3rd Street
Program Focus
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School offers families an African American immersion program that focuses on the history and culture of African Americans, drawing on the strengths of students. Parental and community involvement are essential parts of the curriculum. The school aligns curriculum with the rigorous Common Core State Standards so that our students are prepared for college and career success.
School Type Regular education
Region East
Transportation COPES cluster
Kluge School – Traditional Start Calendar
Richard Kluge School
(414) 578-5000
5760 N. 67th Street
Program Focus
Richard Kluge School, the creative arts specialty school in the northwest region of MPS, offers families a rigorous, standards-based academic program with emphasis on attaining proficiency in all subjects. Kluge features the Achievement Gap Reduction (AGR) program in K5–grade 3 classrooms. The school's mobile laptop labs, iPads, and SMART Boards ensure that Kluge students are connected to the technology they will need to succeed. Kluge offers its students specialist-taught art classes along with additional arts activities thanks to grants and community partners. The school also partners with First Stage for an after-school community learning center program. The school partners with RSVP to bring tutoring into many of our classrooms. Kluge also offers an ESL program and extensive services for medically fragile students.
School Type Regular education
Region Northwest
Transportation Provided within transportation region (walk zone excluded)
LaFollette School – Traditional Start Calendar
Robert M. LaFollette School
(414) 267-5200
3239 N. 9th Street
Program Focus
LaFollette offers families an educational environment with one basic goal: the education of children through high expectations and academic achievement. LaFollette features the Achievement Gap Reduction (AGR) program in K5–grade 3 classrooms. The school offers two computer labs, multiple computer carts for classroom use, gym classes, a health clinic with a nurse, school uniforms, transportation, and a strong group of programs aimed to help students with many different special needs. The school rewards and promotes positive behavior through strong implementation of PBIS.
School Type Regular education
Region Central
Transportation COPES cluster
Lee Learning Center (see Grant Gordon Learning Center)
Lincoln Avenue School – Traditional Start Calendar
(414) 902-9700
1817 W. Lincoln Avenue
Program Focus
Lincoln Avenue Elementary School offers a safe and disciplined learning environment for a diverse group of students from many different ethnic backgrounds. The school's goal is to accelerate the academic and social development of each child. The school's programs include bilingual education, band, fine arts, and chorus. The Parent–Teacher Organization , community learning center, and other school partners hold events that bring parents and the community into the school. Before- and after-school child care is available.
School Type Regular education
Region Southwest
Transportation Provided within transportation region (walk zone excluded)
Longfellow School – Traditional Start Calendar
H. W. Longfellow School
(414) 902-9800
1021 S. 21st Street
Program Focus
With great educators leading the way, H. W. Longfellow School builds on the existing knowledge and skills of each child while building toward a future of being contributors and problem solvers in an increasingly complex world. Longfellow School emphasizes the importance of biliteracy and math skills as a basis for problem solving and high-level thinking, and it has a school climate of respect, responsibility, and emotional and physical safety for all.
School Type Regular education
Region Southwest
Transportation Provided within transportation region (walk zone excluded)
Maple Tree School – Traditional Start Calendar
(414) 578-5100
6644 N. 107th Street
Program Focus
The school's motto is "At Maple Tree, average is over. High expectations, student achievement, and accountability! Every period. Every hour. Every day!" Maple Tree School is committed to the goal of working to ensure that every student is proficient or advanced in reading and writing across all content areas. The school promotes an educational environment that aligns curriculum and instruction to the Common Core State Standards. Maple Tree features the Achievement Gap Reduction (AGR) program in K5–grade 3 classrooms. The school prepares all students for success in higher education, careers, and responsible citizenship. Maple Tree offers the Head Start early childhood program. The school's rigorous academic curriculum and its dedicated professional teaching staff work to ensure that all students achieve academic success.
School Type Regular education
Region Northwest
Transportation Provided within transportation region (walk zone excluded)
Marvin Pratt – Early Start Calendar
Marvin E. Pratt Elementary School
(414) 247-7300
5131 N. Green Bay Avenue
Program Focus
Marvin E. Pratt Elementary School is a safe setting for students and offers physical education, art, and music specialists; Learn to Succeed tutors; Girl Scouts; the Boys and Girls Clubs; and the Head Start program. Those positive connections increase student knowledge, promote self-esteem, and develop the decision-making skills that are necessary for lifelong learners. Marvin Pratt features the Achievement Gap Reduction (AGR) program in K5–grade 3 classrooms.
School Type Regular education
Region Central
Transportation Custer cluster
Metcalfe School – Contact the school for calendar
Ralph H. Metcalfe School
(414) 874-3600
3400 W. North Avenue
Program Focus
Metcalfe is the first school in the nation to share a facility with a Boys and Girls Club, providing children with additional academic and recreational activities. A variety of enrichment programs, combined with rigorous academics, helps students develop all their talents. The school offers specialist teachers in music, physical education, art, and library/technology to help ensure a well-rounded education for students.
School Type Regular education
Region Central
Transportation Provided within transportation region (walk zone excluded)
Milwaukee Academy of Chinese Language – Traditional Start Calendar
(414) 934-4340
2430 W. Wisconsin Avenue
Program Focus
Milwaukee Academy of Chinese Language (MACL) is a K4 through grade 8 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 receive Mandarin language instruction for thirty minutes each day. This coursework also increases students' global understanding of various Asian cultures and their influence on the global community. MACL houses the International Newcomer Center, a program that serves recently arrived middle-school refugee students. In this program, students learn academic content while simultaneously acquiring the English language.
School Type Regular education
Region Central
Transportation Provided citywide (walk zone excluded)
Mitchell School – Traditional Start Calendar
Alexander Mitchell Integrated Arts School
(414) 902-8100
1728 S. 23rd Street
Program Focus
Mitchell is a large bilingual school with a small-school atmosphere. The school's hardworking, dedicated staff uses the Common Core State Standards to provide all students with comprehensive instruction that prepares them to succeed in college and careers. As a PBIS School of Merit, Mitchell School works with all stakeholders to provide a safe, respectful learning environment that allows students to focus on being responsible learners. The school's community learning center extends services to families beyond school hours, and its partnership with City Year enhances both school-day and after-school programming. Mitchell School is proud of its connections with the neighborhood.
School Type Regular education
Region Southwest
Transportation Provided within transportation region (walk zone excluded)
Obama SCTE – Early Start Calendar
Barack Obama School of Career and Technical Education
(414) 393-4900
5075 N. Sherman Boulevard
Program Focus
Barack Obama School of Career and Technical Education, located in the former Custer High School building, serves students in a small school setting aimed at high achievement in reading, writing, and math. Obama SCTE offers students a project-based, career-centered, and partner-supported education. The school's HVAC lab operates with the assistance of our partners at Johnson Controls and Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC). The school's new advanced manufacturing lab provides students with access to state-of-the-art CNC equipment and computer-integrated manufacturing technology. Obama SCTE matches students to an appropriate career cluster: advanced manufacturing or energy conservation. The school also has robotics, welding, wood shop, and barber/cosmetology labs. Obama SCTE offers credit recovery and GEDO #2 in a personalized blended learning lab on campus.
School Type Neighborhood
Region Northwest
Transportation Custer cluster
Riverwest Elementary – Traditional Start Calendar
Riverwest Elementary School
(414) 267-4400
2765 N. Fratney Street
Program Focus
Riverwest Elementary School serves an ethnically diverse group of students from K3 to grade 5. The school emphasizes respect, safety, critical thinking, technology, and an appreciation for the arts. Riverwest is an MPS GE Foundation Demonstration School, an honor that provides additional support to move students forward academically through innovative implementation of the rigorous Common Core State Standards as the school prepares students for college and career readiness. Child care and community learning center activities are held after school.
School Type Regular education
Region Transformation
Transportation Provided within transportation region (walk zone excluded)
Sherman School – Traditional Start Calendar
William T. Sherman Multicultural Arts School
(414) 874-5800
5110 W. Locust Street
Program Focus
Sherman Multicultural Arts School emphasizes academic achievement and celebrates the arts through the various cultures in the world. Students benefit from an enriching physical education and arts program as well as the school's strong partnership with Arts @ Large, which brings the arts to life at Sherman. Sherman School features the Achievement Gap Reduction (AGR) program in K5–grade 3 classrooms.
School Type Regular education
Region Central
Transportation No transportation
Siefert School – Traditional Start Calendar
(414) 935-1500
1547 N. 14th Street
Program Focus
Siefert School serves more than 300 students from K3 though grade 5. The belief that all students have the capacity for academic success at high levels is an integral part of the school's vision. The school utilizes a constructivist "minds-on" approach to help students conceptualize academic skills and apply their knowledge in the real world, thus becoming prepared for higher education and world careers. Visit the classrooms and witness enthusiastic students and teachers fully engaged in carefully crafted lessons that allow all children to reach their fullest potential.
School Type Regular education
Region East
Transportation Provided within transportation region (walk zone excluded)
Thurston Woods School – Traditional Start Calendar
Thurston Woods Campus
(414) 393-2800
5966 N. 35th Street
Program Focus
Thurston Woods Campus is committed to creating and providing an engaging learning environment where all learners become career and college ready. The school's overall philosophy is the belief in preparing students for the 21st century through rigorous instruction, personalized learning, and technology. The school's nurturing school environment creates a positive learning community for all students. Thurston Woods features the Achievement Gap Reduction (AGR) program in K5–grade 3 classrooms.
School Type Regular education
Region Northwest
Transportation Custer cluster
Westside Academy – Traditional Start Calendar
(414) 934-5000
1945 N. 31st Street
Program Focus
Westside Academy is a high-achieving school that emphasizes learning to solve complex problems using higher-order thinking skills. Students connect with community mentors and benefit from an extensive community learning center that provides free after-school programs. The community learning center offers intramural sports, homework help, literature arts, SPARK, and academic achievement. Westside is a peaceful school, embracing PBIS to reinforce positive behaviors, focusing on core academics, and emphasizing the social-emotional development of students.
School Type Regular education
Region Central
Transportation Provided within transportation region (walk zone excluded)