Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) was created in 1846. In its early years, most of the
schools in the system were grades 1-8; kindergartens and high schools came later. A
Board of School Directors provides leadership and oversight, with a superintendent
heading the system. Members for the board were originally selected by the Milwaukee
Common Council, but are now publicly elected. The first superintendent was Rufus
King, who was chosen in 1859. Today, MPS is the largest school system in Wisconsin
with 165 schools, including neighborhood schools, specialty schools, and charter
schools. MPS is also one of the largest school systems by enrollment in the
nation.
