Summer Academy provides SAFE and FREE programs for K5–grade 12 City of Milwaukee residents. Sessions are held in June and July. Locations, dates, and times are announced in the spring of each year.
Elementary: Applications for K5-grade 8 Summer Academy programming are available at every elementary school site or with the Extended Learning Opportunities staff, room 150, MPS Central Services.
Grades 9-12 high school credit recovery and acceleration: Students should register with their school counselor or with the Extended Learning Opportunities staff, room 150, MPS Central Services.
Grade 8 Promotional Program: Principals must recommend MPS students for the Grade 8 Promotional Program. Each student's current school must submit the required retention documentation and complete the registrations. This program is for MPS students only.
Extended School Year (ESY): Students with special education needs should be enrolled only if the individualized education program (IEP) team decides that the student needs summer placement to maintain skills gained during the year.
Community Assessment Training Program (CATP) and On-the-Job Training (OJT): A student with special education needs should be enrolled only if the IEP team decides that the student needs summer placement to maintain skills gained during the year or if he or she was not able to be involved in job training due to scheduling conflicts during the school year.
Registration begins at schools in early March. Seats are limited. Please note: Important deadlines for high school are listed on the registration forms.
Elementary: All students are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Grades 9-12 high school credit recovery and acceleration: Students may enroll in the credit recovery program if they have previously failed a course required for graduation. Select credit acceleration opportunities are available for students who want or need to take a course for the first time.
Grade 8 Promotional Program: This promotional program is designed for MPS grade 8 students who have missed proficiency in one or two content areas. Students must be recommended by their MPS school and submit all required documentation.
ESY: Students with special needs are enrolled if their IEP mandates extended school year services.
CATP–OJT: Students with special needs should be enrolled only if the IEP team decides that the student needs summer placement to maintain skills gained during the year or if he or she was not able to be involved in job training due to scheduling conflicts during the school year.
Elementary: Students will engage in academic and enrichment activities for four hours daily Mondays–Fridays from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Grades 9–12 high school credit recovery or acceleration: Students attend Mondays–Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Grade 8 Promotional Program: Students attend Mondays–Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Elementary ESY: Students attend four hours daily Mondays–Fridays from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m.
High School ESY: Students attend Mondays–Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
CATP–OJT: Students attend district and community work sites for four hours daily Mondays–Fridays.
Please click below for dates, times, and locations.
There is no cost for any Summer Academy program for students living in the City of Milwaukee. Costs may be incurred by ESY students who move at the end of the school year to a new school district. Additionally, the afternoon wraparound and recreation programs may require a program fee. Parents are encouraged to contact Milwaukee Recreation at 414-475-8180 for more information.
Transportation at the elementary level is provided only to students enrolled at super site locations within two miles of the selected site.
Summer Academy students enrolled in the Grade 8 Promotional or high school programs will receive a county M•CARD. Parents and guardians must provide transportation to the Summer Academy site on the student's first day of attendance.
Most students enrolled in the ESY program will be provided with door-to-door transportation. This includes a morning pick-up and a midday departure from the school location.
Most CATP–OJT students in the food service program are expected to provide their own transportation to and from their job site. City bus tickets may be provided to those students until they receive their first paycheck. Some CATP–OJT students may receive transportation to and from their job site if they are receiving vocational assessment. Detailed transportation information will be provided once students are placed.
All students with special needs are welcome in the regular Summer Academy programs. Some students with special needs may be eligible for the ESY program if it is mandated in the student's IEP. Parents should contact their school's special education supervisor for their child's special education program.