Board reviews Milwaukee Academy of the Arts renewal; staff recommend moving to phase two
Summary
Staff recommended renewing Milwaukee Academy of the Arts' charter after an external review showing strong academic outcomes (9th-grade on-track >95%, graduation rate 88%); presenters flagged enrollment and coordination with Milwaukee High School as challenges and said phase-two contract work will follow if the board approves renewal.
On Jan. 15 the board heard a phase-one presentation on Milwaukee Academy of the Arts' (MA) charter-renewal request, submitted Dec. 19, 2025, and scheduled for board action on Jan. 29. Ryan Richardson (executive director of multiple pathways and athletics) said staff initiated an external review aligned to national charter standards covering academic, organizational and financial performance and recommended approval to proceed to the next contract phase.
MA representatives described the school's arts-integrated approach and cited performance metrics cited from Oregon Department of Education data: "Our ninth grade on track rate was over 95%" and a graduation rate near 88%, both noted as above state averages. Presenters emphasized MA's small cohort model, arts-embedded curriculum, sustained counseling and a senior capstone that serves as a culminating portfolio.
Presenters also acknowledged challenges. The external review recommended examining coordination between MA and Milwaukee High School because many staff have responsibilities split between the two programs; presenters said that staffing models and coordination may be revisited during phase two to ensure sustainable enrollment and staffing. Board members asked about enrollment trends, outreach and recruitment strategies, transportation impacts and whether MA's student demographics reflect the surrounding community. MA staff said enrollment dipped after the COVID-era return-to-school year and that recruitment and a new promotions team are actively working on outreach; they reported about 48 applications already and an upcoming open house. MA said the charter contract sets a maximum enrollment of 400 with class sizes capped at 33.
The board opened the required public hearing under state statute ORS 338.065 and recorded no public speakers; the hearing was closed. No vote on renewal occurred that night; staff said board action on the renewal would occur at the Jan. 29 meeting.
