Moving- need a good school (Milwaukee, Waukesha: appointed, houses, neighborhoods)

[jmrabchenia]

I am being relocated to the Milwaukee area (we are thinking west or north of the city) from San Francisco, and need to find a school district that is much like SF. We are originally from the midwest, and it seemed the schools were very sports geared. My son really is starting to thrive in CA- mostly becauuse the schools focus more on intelect and culture rather than on sports. For example you are not "popular" because you are the quarterback- but because you are smart! My younger son will be very much involved in sports- but I really need to find a school where my oldest will feel he fits in if he doesn't play sports. HELP!!!

[mikki]

I have lived in the city of Waukesha (about 20-25 min west of Milwaukee) for 12 years, and I taught here in the elementary schools for almost 20 (we are in the process of moving to Reno). I can highly recommend most of the schools here. Feel free to PM me for more information!

[GreggB]

Whatever you do---just AVOID the MPS (Milwaukee Public Schools). It is a system in turmoil with school violence (including teacher assaults), increasing at a most alarming rate!!!

[BacktoNE]

I agree, stay out of Milwaukee itself. You may also want to consider one of the private schools for your intellectual son. I'm thinking that would be a better fit for him.

[sunflower53072]

If you can afford private school you might want to check out University School(downtown), Brookfield Academy(Brookfield) or University Lake School(Hartland). My kids attend University Lake School and we are very happy with it. Starting in middle school the kids get a lap top and do most of their work on it(school is wireless). There are sports(soccer, basketball and tennis), but not a big emphasis on it. We moved here from a great school district in Ohio and were disappointed with the public schools here. We also found the small, private school to be an easier place to meet people and for the kids to make friends.

[mikki]

I have a feeling the last poster was referring to the Milwaukee Public Schools.

[Minnehahapolitan]

The Northshore (White Fish Bay and Shorewood) is the gold coast of Milwaukee. They are lovely historic neighborhoods with lovely old houses. Close to the city, UW-Milwaukee, gourgeous spot on Lake Mich. I'm no Mlkw expert, but if I were to live in Wisc. it would be there. I was on the UW campus a couple months ago and there was a (cover your ears) Milwaukee Public High School which seemed to be affiliated with the Univ. Can anyone chime in here?

[CowDung]

I currently live in a Northshore suburb. The public school system is very good here, but taxes seem to be rather high.

I don't know of any formal affiliation between a Milwaukee Public High school and UW-Milwaukee.

[schools]

Sunflower-

Why did you feel the need to switch from public to private? Were the classes too crowded? Do your kids do better in a smaller environment? Thanks for your honesty!

[kayeelle]

I worked for MPS...STAY AWAY.
I haven't been to Oconomowoc, but I am going out this month to check it out myself, simply because I've heard they had a "blue ribbon school district" or some type of award...I'm relocating shortly as well. I can email you after my trip. Guess it is amazingly quaint. My son is in the same boat, and I am searching for the same...

Best of luck to you.