Successful Milwaukee Charter School Set To Expand

Milwaukee College Prep has found great success as a charter school and is looking to purchase more buildings and expand their operations in southern Wisconsin

There has been a contentious debate around the country about charter schools and their effectiveness, but one city that is happy with the results thus far is found in southern Wisconsin.  Milwaukee College Prep, a nationally recognized high performing charter school in Milwaukee, has announced plans to purchase a school from the Milwaukee Public School system.  Milwaukee College Prep will relocate its existing Lindsay Heights Campus to the new Lloyd Street Campus and will launch a new charter school at the 38th Street Campus.

According to a press release from Milwaukee College Prep, to pay for the initiative the school will undertake a $9 million capital campaign.

“This is part of a larger strategic plan to reach more of our most vulnerable children with an uncompromising education,” said Robert Rauh, Principal.  “One year ago, Milwaukee College Prep had roughly 500 scholars.  With the addition of our Lindsay Heights Campus, enrollment grew to 940.  As we move forward with our Expansion Plan and the addition of a third campus, we will have the capacity to educate 1,500 children – a three-fold increase in three years.”

Founded nearly fifteen years ago by Ron and Micky Sadoff and Jr. Bridgeman, Milwaukee College Prep’s original Metcalfe Park Campus has eliminated the achievement gap that burdens Milwaukee.  Test scores for Metcalf Park exceeded the State of Wisconsin Average in 2010.  In addition, after leading the Lindsay Heights school in its first year, MCP was able to see a nearly 100% improvement in test scores.

As Ed Zore explains, “One visit to the school underscores why this model works.  Each scholar creates a personal mission statement that guides his or her efforts daily.  When you step into the school, the fierce determination of the scholars and their teachers is palpable.  Now it’s time for our community to share that determination.”