School Types

Milwaukee Public Schools offers a wide array of options. We invite you to learn more about the many types of schools in our family!

Neighborhood schools (also called attendance area schools) give priority for acceptance to children from the area surrounding the school. Children from other neighborhoods are admitted as space permits. A neighborhood school is the best choice for many families since neighborhood schools are convenient for transportation, carpools, school events and proximity to classmates.

Neighborhood Specialty schools offer special programs or areas of study such as the arts or technology. These schools give priority enrollment to students from the neighborhood, then admit students from outside the area as space permits.

Citywide Specialty schools have special programs or areas of study such as the arts, International Baccalaureate, gifted and talented, Montessori or language immersion. Many Montessori citywide specialty schools offer priority to students living within the school’s neighborhood. Each school can provide more information about its enrollment policies.

Comprehensive middle schools and comprehensive high schools offer a robust academic curriculum. Extracurricular programming and student supports serve a wide range of needs and diverse student populations. Schools strive to ensure that every student is on a path to succeed in college and career. These schools have priority attendance areas, but also accept students who live outside those areas when space is available.

Charter schools operate with greater independence than other schools. Some charter schools have their own enrollment process.

Alternative schools offer a path to success for students who may face specific challenges or require more flexibility than a traditional school setting, including students at risk of dropping out.