MPS: about 63,840 students reported in first week; attendance above 90%, transportation and staffing still stabilizing

MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Board of School Directors— Family and Community Engagement Committee heard a first-week update on the 2025-26 school year from Superintendent Brenda Cassellius on Sept. 9, 2025. Cassellius reported that district enrollment was about 63,840 students and that daily attendance was near 91.6 percent.

The superintendent said the district set a budget assumption of about 66,000 students and that district staff were continuing outreach to families: "We are sitting at about 63,840 students. So we're closing that gap, each and every day," Cassellius said. She told the committee the district had about 1,200 fewer "no-shows" than in a previous comparison and that roughly 3,000 families still required outreach.

Cassellius framed attendance targets and chronic-absence thresholds for the committee. "Our goal is above 90%…