Career Cruising - Milwaukee Public Schools

Office of School Administration
5225 W. Vliet Street
Milwaukee, WI 53208
(414) 475-8016 • mps.milwaukee.k12.wi.us
October 1, 2015
Dear colleagues,
Milwaukee Public Schools is very excited to launch a new High School Early Admissions Process for all 8th grade
students. We believe students need to be engaged in preparing for their future, and an exciting part of that planning is
choosing a high school. We want all students to have an early opportunity to choose a high school that matches their
future plans. Milwaukee Public Schools has many wonderful programs in all of our high schools that meet the diverse
needs of all students and help students realize their dreams.
This year, every 8th grade student will participate in the High School Early Admissions Process. Students will complete an
online application between October 5 and November 2, 2015 as well as write an essay. The online application and essay
directions/template can be found at mpsmke.com/highschools.
Before filling out the application students should learn about the high schools in our district and the diverse programs
offered. Please remember a student’s teachers and counselor can be critically important in providing information. There
are several easy to use resources available to students and families to learn about our schools and determine which school
will best meet a student’s needs for the future including school websites; school course offering guides, available at
mpsmke.com/highschools, open house events and school visits.
Students will be allowed to pick up to four high schools; two with selective criteria and two traditional high schools.
Students can choose up to two select criteria schools including Rufus King, Golda Meir, Reagan and Milwaukee High
School of the Arts. These schools have additional selection criteria required for admission (e.g., a second essay session,
teacher recommendation forms, audition). Students may also choose two schools from our traditional or comprehensive
MPS high schools or three traditional schools if students opted not to make any choices from the select criteria schools.
Career Cruising
Career Cruising activities completed in 7th grade helped identify career recommendations based on a career survey. This
is excellent information to match students to school programs. Please assist parents by providing this information for each
of your students.
Directions to pull Career Cruising “Top Recommendation” report:
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Go to https://www.careercruising.com/Region/
Enter your administrator login username and password and click submit
You will now be on the Administrator Homepage. On the left side of the page under “Reports” select
“Portfolio Reports”
Under “Assessment Results” click on “Matchmaker Recommended Clusters”
Under “Customize This Report” click on the “Custom” button
Click the drop down arrow to change the “Grade Level” to 8th
Click the “View Report” button
You will now see the “Top Recommendation” report on your screen. Under “Grade Level” in the “8” column, click on the
highlighted/underlined numbers to view the recommended Cluster/Pathway for every 8th grade student who completed the
Career Cruising assessments.
Office of School Administration
5225 W. Vliet Street
Milwaukee, WI 53208
(414) 475-8016 • mps.milwaukee.k12.wi.us
Student Early Admission Essay
The essay can be worked on independently at home, but we encourage teachers and counselors to engage students in
discussion and writing sessions. The essays will not be scored/graded, but students should demonstrate their best writing
skills. A rubric has been provided to help guide and develop student work.
All 8th graders to be given time during the week of October 18 through October 28, 2015 to type and save their essays.
Students must use the Essay Template and essays should be saved using the student’s last name and their ID (e.g.,
stewart817563) to help assessment staff match and distribute student essays to high schools.
All essays in each school must be saved on a single jump drive. That jump drive should be delivered to Melanie
Stewart (Room 251 at Central Services) no later than 4:00 p.m. on October 30, 2015.
Download essay template and instructions by visiting: http://mps.milwaukee.k12.wi.us/en/Schools/How-to-Apply/HighSchool-Early-Admissions/Required-Essay.htm.
Students with disabilities should be allowed any accommodations normally given during instruction and assessment while
developing and writing their essay.
If you have other questions about Career Cruising, please contact Eric Radomski, Senior Manager of Career and
Technical Education at 414-475-8391 or [email protected].
If you have questions about the essay, please contact Melanie Stewart, Director of Student Performance & Improvement
at 414-475-8751 or [email protected].
If you have questions about the early admissions process, please contact your principal or regional superintendent. We are
excited about this opportunity that gives every student a chance to make an early and informed decision for his/her future.
Sincerely,
Keith Posley, Ed.D.
Chief School Administration Officer