Finding a good school in Milwaukee isn't easy. I wanted my children not to be limited in their education and pushed to higher standards. After tons of research and tours, all 3 of our children have and do attend. Upon walking in the door, it's more of a "family" atmosphere with smiling faces. All faculty are extremely involved and most kids are on a first name basis. They are involved in the exchange program so French students from france frequent the school as well as our children have the option of going to France for a period as well. They also have 4K and all of those teachers are fantastic and made it so easy for the kids to feel comfortable, sometimes they didnt want to come home. Most teachers encourage parent involvement daily directly in class especially in younger grades) and the school in general welcomes as much parent support as you can give.All of my children are fluent in French & I chose to this school which is much farther from our neighborhood schools With French Immersion, you will walk in welcomed and be astonished by the old architecture in original condition.
—Submitted by a parent

I enrolled my child at this school and was terribly disappointed in the staff. They claim to be fluent in french, but this is far from the truth. I have a french background and the way they teach the french language is a joke. My child would come home and speak to me with the wrong pronunciation for basic french words. My daughter is now in K5 at another school and is doing wonderfully. I firmly believe that a good teacher makes all the difference in the world. However, good teachers is NOT what you will find at Milwaukee French Immersion. Make sure you do your research before enrolling your child at this school. I would never recommend it to anyone.
—Submitted by a parent

Milwaukee French Immersion is a wonderful school. We are lucky to have this as a public school option. My son is currently in first grade and is already fluent in French. In K4, he was already singing and speaking in french one week after starting school. His excitement for the school and for learning is contagious! The teachers and support staff are fabulous and go over and above what is required of them, often giving much of their own personal time and finances for the students. The parent involvement at the school is wonderful also. I speak from experience, I LOVE to volunteer there. It is a great place! I am excited my son can have this opportunity to be bilingual at such an early age. This will greatly benefit him in the years to come. If you have not considered Milwaukee French Immersion, come check it out! You will be impressed and amazed at our awesome, "gem" of a school.
—Submitted by a parent

We have three children enrolled at this time. MFIS is an excellent school. I am proud to share about how much our kids love their teachers, their friends and the language. They sing in French and are learning to read and write in French, among other subjects. They correct one another if something is not pronounced correctly!! They are challenged and inspired. We love public education, believe in the immersion model, and feel lucky to have such a quality program in Milwaukee.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children at MFIS and a third who will start in two years. My 4 year old's pronunciation is exceptional (as is my 6 year old's)and he can already count to 25 in French, plus he knew all of his primary colors in French, 6 weeks after starting school! My kids love interacting with the 5 French college students/interns who are at MFIS this year and are learning new things every day. They love their teachers, going to gym class 1-2 times a week, working on art projects, learning new songs in French and interacting with friends who live all around the city and suburbs of Milwaukee. My friends who live in Chicago and NYC whose kids go to private French schools spend $20K-40K per year per child. MFIS is FREE! If you are considering MFIS as your child's school, I encourage you to take a tour and experience the 'gem of the city' yourself.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been teaching here for 5 years and I can truly say that I love my job. The students are wonderful, parents are very supportive, and my co-workers are truly team players. I love being able to speak in French all day and watch as the students grasp the language in such a natural setting. This year we have 5 amazing French interns which assist in the classroom, support students in small group and bring an essential cultural element to the school. Come check out our beautiful French/English library!
—Submitted by a teacher

MFIS is a great school. It has very enthusiastic teachers and staff and great group of students and supporting parents. It is a school that not only challenges your child, but you the parent! I have a 1st grader and a K5 student and the quality of their education is exceptional. They are competing against each other to see who can pronounce their french better. They are singing in French and writing, reading and learning math in French. Milwaukee French Immersion is a gem in Milwaukee Public Schools and I hope that other parents will consider giving their children this wonderful bilingual experiences to assist them as they grow.
—Submitted by a parent

Like many of the reviewers have stated, MFIS is an excellent school. The program at MFIS is truly wonderful and has them learning all the mandated curriculum, but just in french. Our first child loves the school and I am very excited about sending our 2nd child there next year. The teachers are amazing and engaging as they work with their classes. Finally the parent involvement in the school is great too. When your child attends MFIS, you become part of the greater MFIS family.
—Submitted by a parent

Basically, this is a private school - with an extremely tight culture of high standards - within a public school system.
—Submitted by a parent

Our daughter went to this school for a short period of time until her pre-K teacher informed my wife that the school didn't "need" our daughter in it. My daughter refers to the Milwaukee French Immersion school as her "English" School. The teachers are rude and have no respect for anyone with an actual French Background and are easily offended if informed there French is lacking.
—Submitted by a parent

I love MFIS my daughter is K4. I love the staff and enjoy the parents and school. My two year will be joining her soon.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in first grade and has attended MFIS since K4. I am happy with the care and instruction she receives on a daily basis. You can not find a better staff that incorporates high rigorous instruction, compassion and dedication to students and parents. MFIS is the greatest school. I support public education.
—Submitted by a parent

I have 3 children who attended MFIS, my oldest is now 15. The teachers are caring, compassionate and exceptional mentors for children from all walks of life. My children received an excellent bilingual/bi-cultural education that is unmatched by any surrounding school districts. the exposure to a second language and other countries and cultures will give my children an advantage later in life as our world continues to become smaller through the use of technology. The dedication of all staff and parents to the success of this school is something that I am proud to be a part of.
—Submitted by a parent

We are very happy to have the opportunity to pick such a wonderful school for our children. Our third child will be starting in fall and we couldn't be happier! There are only a few other cities in this country that offer a public school immersion program. We are lucky to have MFIS!
—Submitted by a parent

Really great public school in MKE! The high parent involvement and teacher commitment are the reason it stands apart. I have a first grader and will have my other son going there next fall. Even if you haven't thought about language immersion, come check it out- you will love it!
—Submitted by a parent

Milwaukee French Immersion is truly a gem. The teachers care about student success and go above and beyond to supply it. My daughter started in K4 and before the first week was out, she knew all of the letters of the alphabet in French. The curriculum is rigorous but also enables creativity and expression. French Immersion was the best choice that we could have made for our daughter.
—Submitted by a parent

I grew up in Whitefish Bay but now life in the historic Sherman Park neighborhood. Even if I still lived in Whitefish Bay, I would send my son, who is in K5 currently, to Milwaukee French Immersion School. It's that good. Not only is it a safe, caring, nurturing and diverse environment -- like many other great schools -- it's also one that prepares our kids to succeed internationally, in a global economy. Around the world (China, Japan, Germany, Canada) kindergarten-aged kids learn multiple languages from the get-go. But in America, many of us don't see the value of mastering a foreign language. That has to change. MFIS is leading the way. Regardless of what you've heard about MPS, this is an academic culture (principal, teachers, specialists, paraents) that demands excellence. Come see for yourself!
—Submitted by a parent

Please excuse the typos (e.g., life/live) in my review below (parent who grew up in WFB) -- my two-year-old was climbing on me. MFIS parents really can spell better than that!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in K5 at Milwaukee French Immersion School (MFIS) this year and is speaking (and singing) so much French which is especially impressive since we don't speak any French at home. She understood everything her K4 teacher was saying by the end of November her first year. The teachers at MFIS are very passionate, caring and excellent at teaching. We utilize the before and after school camp which is located onsite since my husband and I both work full time. I have friends who send their kids to private French Immersion Schools in Chicago and NYC and pay $15K-$25K a year per child. MFIS is free. The test scores of MFIS students in 4th and 5th grade are much higher than most other state (and district) schools. Another added bonus - in 5th Grade the students go to France for 2-1/2 weeks and live with a host family. We couldn't be happier with the education our daughter is receiving at MFIS!
—Submitted by a parent

this is such an awesome school..... my daughter loves going to school learning i must say i would not trade this for anything the teachers are great and the principal is always helping out with the kids
—Submitted by a parent