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Milwaukee French Immersion School (MFIS) is a public elementary school within Milwaukee Public Schools serving students in K4 through fifth grade. The program uses French as the primary language of instruction, with English taught to achieve bilingual proficiency by the end of fifth grade. The American curriculum is delivered with technology integrated in every classroom, and students read, write, and speak in both languages. The school day runs from 9:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 2360 N. 52nd Street. MFIS emphasizes global citizenship and intercultural competence through its United Nations Schools of International Learning program for older students, and many graduates continue in middle and high school at Milwaukee School of Languages. Founded in 1978 and housed in its building since 2004, MFIS is recognized by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs with LabelFrancÉducation. The Milwaukee French Immersion Foundation supports language programs and community involvement, including Camp MFIS after school.
Milwaukee French Immersion School has 426 pupils, typical class sizes of 20, instruction in French, English.
Location
2360 N. 52nd Street, Milwaukee, WI 53210. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, MFIS is part of the Milwaukee Public Schools district. It serves K4–5th Grade.
Stages
K4–5th Grade
Type
Public elementary school in Milwaukee Public Schools; language immersion with French as the primary language of instruction.
Additional learning support
Special education services are provided by MPS with a team including special education teachers, a school social worker, a school psychologist, a school support teacher, and administration.
Country affiliation
United States
School day structure
School hours are 9:15 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Camp MFIS offers before-school care from 7:00 to 9:15 a.m. and after-school care from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Fees
Application fees
- There is no general application fee to enroll resident students in Milwaukee French Immersion School (K4–5). - Nonresident students seeking permission to attend the district may be assessed an out-of-district tuition and must follow the district's nonresident enrollment procedures; tuition and related billing for nonresident students are handled by the district business office under Board policy.
Tuition fees (by year group and term)
- Resident students (K4 through 5th grade): No tuition is charged for attendance; K4–5 enrollment is handled through Milwaukee Public Schools enrollment procedures. There is no per-term or per-year tuition for resident students. - Nonresident students (if approved for attendance): An out-of-district tuition is assessed at the Board-approved rate. The district sets the out-of-district tuition annually and bills accordingly; tuition for nonresident enrollments may be prorated if enrollment begins during the school year. Specific numeric tuition rates for out-of-district students are set by the Board and billed by the Business Office.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- For district-assessed charges (for example, out-of-district tuition), billing and payment terms are administered by the district Business Office and follow Board-established schedules; billing for nonresident arrangements is performed in advance of the school year by the Business Office. Tuition for mid-year starts is billed on a prorated basis. - Before- and after-school program (Camp MFIS) registrations require submission of the printed registration and payment to the Camp Director or Site Coordinator; parents are responsible for maintaining current account balances for camp services. Payment options for the camp program include in-person payment by check or money order or online payment as described in the program registration materials.
Boarding fees
- Boarding is not applicable. Milwaukee French Immersion School is an elementary K4–5 neighborhood school operating standard daytime hours (no residential or boarding provision).
Other costs and typical additional fees
- Before- and after-school care (Camp MFIS): The program operates on school days with morning and afternoon sessions; the program charges rates for child-care services and accepts Wisconsin Shares authorizations where eligible (provider and location numbers are published for subsidy processing). Families may be charged for before/after care attendance. - Occasional or program-specific charges: The school and its family/parent organizations may request nominal or event-specific payments for activities such as field trips, class activities, special in-school programs, PTA or foundation events, and voluntary fundraising drives. Payment requests and amounts for such items are communicated by the school or parent organizations at the time of the activity. - Supplies, materials, and event fees: Families should expect typical elementary-school costs for items such as classroom supplies, field-trip admissions, after-school activity fees, yearbooks, or similar optional items when these are offered; payment methods vary by item and program.
Refund information
- Refunds and cancellations for before/after-school camp enrollment follow the program's registration and payment agreement terms; parents are required to review and sign the registration/payment agreement for the child-care camp which sets the payment and refund expectations. For district-assessed tuition (nonresident placements), tuition is billed according to district policy and prorating rules apply when placement begins mid-year.
Fee payment options
- Before/after-school camp payments: accepted methods include check or money order delivered to the Camp Director or Site Coordinator and online payment options available through the camp's registration portal; families with subsidy eligibility may use Wisconsin Shares for child-care payments. - District billing (nonresident tuition and Board-assessed charges): these are managed through the district Business Office and standard district billing channels; families use the district's parent/account portals and Business Office instructions for payment. The school links to district parent portals for account and enrollment management.
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Academics
Milwaukee French Immersion School teaches American Curriculum for students aged 4 to 11.
Curriculum
Welcome to Milwaukee French Immersion School (MFIS), where students think, problem-solve, and prepare for their future in two languages, and proudly think of themselves as global citizens. The school day is conducted primarily in French. Faculty follow state academic standards while teaching math, literacy, social studies, and other subjects in French. Technology is integrated in every classroom, and students read, write, and speak English and French proficiently by the end of fifth grade. Older students develop critical thinking, research, and presentation skills through our United Nations Schools of International Learning program, and graduates find success in middle and high school programs such as Milwaukee School of Languages.
Higher Education Progression
Graduates continue in the district's International Baccalaureate and language programs in middle and high school, such as Milwaukee School of Languages, before pursuing college or career.
Gifted and Talented
Older students develop critical thinking, research, and presentation skills through the United Nations Schools of International Learning program.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) is used to promote positive student behavior with a three-tiered approach that includes universal, targeted, and intensive supports. The program aims to establish consistent expectations across classrooms to improve student outcomes. Danceworks Mad Hot Rhythm engages students in movement to boost self-confidence, creativity, and teamwork. The school partners with programs like Junior Achievement to develop leadership, financial literacy, and civic skills in an authentic, collaborative context. A culture of global awareness and collaboration is reinforced through arts, international programs, and cross-cultural learning experiences.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
MPS serves all children with disabilities, including cognitive, emotional, hearing, learning, physical, speech, and vision disabilities. The school's special education teachers, regular education teachers, school social worker, school psychologist, school support teacher, and administration work together to meet students' needs. If you think your child has special education needs, ask your child's teacher or principal for an evaluation, or call the district for general questions about special education.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Reading and language development are a school-wide focus in both English and French. Teachers, parents, and volunteers share a school-wide commitment to helping students achieve reading proficiency in English and French. Formal English literacy instruction begins in second grade. English literacy is taught within the 90:10 dual-language immersion model, with French taught as the primary language of instruction. Students have access to bilingual resources and English literacy instruction alongside French literacy throughout K4–5.
Mental Wellbeing
PBIS promotes positive behavior through a three-tier framework intended to improve school climate and student well-being. The school also has a school social worker and a school psychologist who collaborate with teachers and families to support students' well-being. PBIS data-driven interventions help tailor supports for students needing more help, contributing to a safer and more supportive learning environment. Arts, cultural programs, and partnerships further reinforce social-emotional development and connectedness.
Admissions
Admissions
1. MFIS serves K4–5th Grade. For the 2026–27 school year, kindergarten enrollment is open. If a child is turning three, four, or five by September 1, 2026, apply by March 2, 2026 for the best chance of being enrolled in your first-choice school. Enrollment is processed through the Enroll Now link to the Infinite Campus enrollment system. 2. Start the immersion journey at MFIS. The school day runs from 9:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The school day is conducted primarily in French, with French as the primary language for teaching, learning, and supporting the school's connected, globally minded community. MFIS prepares students for a bilingual future in two languages. 3. MFIS has LabelFranrancÉducation Status. The school has been recognized by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attesting to the high quality of its language program. This recognition reflects MFIS's ongoing commitment to high-quality language instruction. The program aims to prepare students to engage with Francophone cultures and to be part of a bilingual, globally minded community.
FAQs
What grades and age range does Milwaukee French Immersion School serve, and where is it located?
MFIS is a public elementary school serving K4–5th grade, typically ages 4 to 11. It is part of Milwaukee Public Schools and is located at 2360 N. 52nd Street, Milwaukee, WI 53210.
What is the main language of instruction and how are English skills developed?
The school day is conducted primarily in French, with math, literacy, social studies and other subjects taught in French. English literacy begins in second grade, and students work to become proficient in both English and French by the end of fifth grade.
Would MFIS be suitable for families seeking a bilingual, global-citizenship focused program?
Yes. MFIS emphasizes bilingual education and global citizenship, using French as the primary language of instruction while integrating technology and preparing students for study in bilingual environments.
Is MFIS a private or a public school, and what district is it part of?
MFIS is a public elementary school within Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS). It serves the local neighborhood and feeds into district programs such as Milwaukee School of Languages for middle/high school.
Who is the head of MFIS?
The head of school is Jenna Harer.
What should families know about the school day schedule and after-school options?
Regular hours are from 9:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Camp MFIS offers before-school care from 7:00 to 9:15 a.m. and after-school care from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
What is the 2026–27 admissions timeline for MFIS?
For the 2026–27 school year, kindergarten enrollment is open. If your child will be turning three, four, or five by September 1, 2026, apply by March 2, 2026. Enrollment is processed through the Infinite Campus system.
What recognition does MFIS have for its language program?
MFIS is recognized by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs with LabelFrancÉducation for the quality of its French-language program.
What are the fees like at MFIS for resident versus nonresident students?
Resident K4–5 students attend at no tuition. Nonresident students may be charged an out-of-district tuition set by the Board; charges are billed by the district and may be prorated if enrollment starts mid-year.
How is tuition billed for nonresident placements and who handles those charges?
Out-of-district tuition and other district-assessed charges are billed by the Milwaukee Public Schools Business Office, with advance billing for nonresident arrangements and prorating if placement begins mid-year.
