MILWAUKEE— Milwaukee Public Schools shared new details Monday about what’s next for Lincoln Avenue School families after a five-alarm fire destroyed the school build late last month.
During a community meeting Monday morning, district leaders announced the entire Lincoln Avenue School community will temporarily relocate to Casimir Pulaski High School for the 2026-27 school year.
Lincoln Avenue Principal Damaris Ayala said several schools were considered before the district selected Pulaski.
“The only viable option, for me, the ray of hope was Pulaski High School,” Ayala said. “Number one, we can stay together. Number two, it’s one mile away from our current building. Three, the space of physical space has the ability to, to have our wonderful high school kiddos on one side and our elementary kids on the other side, with that middle space being office and guidance and all that. Number four again, our schedules will stay the same for Lincoln Avenue. We start at 7:15 and I believe they start at 8:00.”
Ayala said other schools either couldn’t accommodate the entire student body or were too far from the neighborhood, where many families walk to school. Pulaski was also chosen because it has enough space to keep Lincoln Avenue students together while operating separately from the high school.
District officials also addressed one of the biggest concerns from parents— transportation.
Interim Deputy Superintendent of Operations Michael Harris said students who currently receive bus service will continue receiving transportation when classes move to Pulaski.
“Transportation, we know that’s a big one. Right now, if you were provided transportation you can expect to have transportation to Pulaski,” Harris said.
Harris also said current Lincoln Avenue students will keep their enrollment despite the temporary relocation, and families can still register for the upcoming school year.
Superintendent Brenda Cassellius said the district is preparing to demolish the fire-damaged building, but it’s still too early to determine whether Lincoln Avenue School will eventually be rebuilt.
“We don’t have answers just yet about what’s next,” Cassellius said. “We’ll be working with the community and the city on what’s next.”
The City of Milwaukee owns MPS school buildings, and district leaders said they’ll continue working with city officials and the community as they determine the school’s long-term future.
Another community meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14 at 5:30, at the Boys & Girls Club at Rogers Street Academy. MPS is also encouraging families to visit the Lincoln Avenue School webpage for updates and answers for frequently asked questions.
The MPS school year begins on September 1st.
