Learning during COVID-19: Milwaukee College Prep
Structure and consistency help keep students on-track and invested in their school community
By: Isral DeBruin
As schools shift to serve students remotely during the COVID-19 crisis, some are emerging as standouts. These schools aren’t stopping at basic worksheet packets and instead are offering students coordinated, school-wide, comprehensive distance learning. City Forward Collective is highlighting these schools to spread best practices and encourage others to keep students moving forward.
Each school day at a Milwaukee College Prep school begins with an energetic morning assembly. And each virtual school day now begins with a video morning greeting with many of the same aims: get students excited and energized for the learning ahead.
This consistent start to the school day plays an important role for MCP students, serving to anchor separate distance learning experiences into the whole of their school community. Some MCP students have even opted to continue wearing their school uniforms while learning from home.
After viewing the day’s greeting, students get to work, following a daily schedule provided by the school. On a typical day, this means engaging in assignments through Google Classroom, learning packets, and a list of recommended activities. Teachers post daily read-aloud videos and assignments covering math, reading, physical education, and social-emotional learning.
Teachers communicate daily with homeroom classes, responding to each assignment in Google Classroom or Flipgrid, and connecting twice per week with each individual student.
To ensure all students have access to online learning opportunities, Chromebooks were made available to any student in need.
In addition to academics, Milwaukee College Prep social workers and school psychologists are regularly checking in on families. The school network is using family support tracker to help address and prioritize needs as they develop.
Very little about life during COVID-19 is consistent or predictable. For families served by Milwaukee College Prep, the school’s sense of community, daily schedule, and learning resources serve as a dependable help during a challenging time.
FACTS & FIGURES
Milwaukee College Prep operates four public charter schools authorized by the Milwaukee Board of School Directors.
36th Street Campus
- Grades: K4–8
- Enrollment: 506 students
- Student demographics: 94.3% Black; 5.1% Two or More Races; 0.6% Latin@
- Students from economically disadvantaged households: 71.7%
- Students with special needs: 8.9%
- Students with limited English proficiency: 0%
- State rating: Exceeds Expectations
38th Street Campus
- Grades: K4–8
- Enrollment: 510 students
- Student demographics: 91.6% Black; 3.5% Two or More Races; 3.1% Latin@; 1.8% White
- Students from economically disadvantaged households: 81%
- Students with special needs: 14.7%
- Students with limited English proficiency: 0%
- State rating: Significantly Exceeds Expectations
Lloyd Street Campus
- Grades: K4–8
- Enrollment: 496 students
- Student demographics: 95.4% Black; 3.4% Latin@; 1.2% Two or More Races
- Students from economically disadvantaged households: 84.7%
- Students with special needs: 12.9%
- Students with limited English proficiency: 0%
- State rating: Exceeds Expectations
Lola Rowe North Campus
- Grades: K4–8
- Enrollment: 487 students
- Student demographics: 95.9% Black; 2.1% Latin@; 2.1% Two or More Races
- Students from economically disadvantaged households: 85.4%
- Students with special needs: 12.9%
- Students with limited English proficiency: 0%
- State rating: Exceeds Expectations
2019–20 data from https://wisedash.dpi.wi.gov/
Isral DeBruin is director of strategy and communication at City Forward Collective. He is a former elementary school teacher and award-winning education reporter.
