Milwaukee Public Schools sustainability action plan revealed

MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee Public Schools celebrated Earth Day on Wednesday, showcasing the district’s new "Sustainability Action Plan: A Roadmap for Healthy and Sustainable Schools" at Morse Middle School for the Gifted and Talented.

Sustainability Action Plan

What we know:

The new action plan was developed with support from the Green Schools National Network, according to the district. More than 300 stakeholders – including students, families, educators and staff – provided input throughout 2025.

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MPS said the five-year plan "puts existing initiatives into a cohesive strategy that strengthens learning environments while preparing students for the future." The school district said it secured more than $39 million in grants to support those initiatives over the past decade.

The plan emphasizes improving district processes. MPS said that includes energy efficiency, and reducing waste by reusing, recycling, and composting to responsibly manage resources, reduce costs, and protect the environment.

"For more than a decade, sustainability work in MPS has focused on putting students first," MPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius said in a statement. "From improving air quality and expanding access to green spaces to hands‑on learning through gardens and outdoor classrooms, these efforts help ensure every student, regardless of ZIP code, has access to healthy, safe, and engaging learning environments. We are grateful to our community partners for their continued collaboration in expanding opportunities for students while also creating a healthier, more sustainable Milwaukee for all."