Successful Charter School Opens Major Expansion in One of City's Poorest Neighborhoods

La Causa $2.4M School Expansion Adds New Jobs, Services

Milwaukee - A shining example of a school that works will open a major addition to serve more students and expand its services to one of Milwaukee’s most challenged neighborhoods. La Causa Charter School begins the 2009 school year with the grand opening of its $2.4 million expansion on Thursday, August 20. The bilingual elementary and middle school has experienced growing enrollment since first opening in 2001, and the new structure will accommodate the influx of 100 new students when classes begin in September, bringing the total student enrollment to 600.

“Our expanded facility and curriculum enhancements will provide more resources for our students, giving them better access to a hands-on, interactive learning experience,” said George Torres, President & CEO of La Causa, Inc. “We are positive proof that our education system can work for students from all backgrounds.”

“We primarily serve families on Milwaukee’s south side, and because many of our parents are not fluent in the English language, they rely on our guidance and resources. This school expansion reflects our progress, growth and commitment to providing a strong foundation for both families and children.”

The new three-floor facility adds 15,000 square feet to the school and features a digital video production and media center, science and robotics labs, new library and music centers, a family resource center and more.

Coinciding with the K5-8 grade school expansion, La Causa Charter School was awarded a two-year Student Achievement Guarantee in Education (SAGE) contract by Milwaukee Public Schools, which requires a 15-to-1 student-teacher ratio. The SAGE award has created 10 new teaching positions in addition to the nine staff positions already created from the La Causa school expansion.

Founded in 1972, La Causa is a bilingual, multicultural agency that provides a variety of family services including child care, clinical treatment, foster care, child abuse prevention, family support and development, and more. In addition to the charter school, La Causa features an Early Education and Care Center for children between the ages of four weeks and 12 years old, a Crisis Nursery and Respite Center, Family Resource Center and social services.

“Adding to our services this year, we’ve partnered with the Medical College of Wisconsin in a new program called ‘Nuestros Niños, Nuestro Futuro,’ which allows us to now offer mental health assessments and needed treatments to students,” added Torres.

Funded by the Healthier Wisconsin Partnership Program, this new three-year program will provide mental health treatment for students in grades five through eight. The intervention will be provided by La Causa's social services clinicians, while research and outcomes will be completed by the Medical College of Wisconsin, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine.

La Causa, Inc. will hold a public grand opening ceremony to unveil its new school on Thursday, August 20 at 4 p.m. at the site of its new building, which is located at 1643 S. 2nd Street. For more information on the grand opening ceremony, the school and its services, the public can visit www.lacausa.org or call 414-902-1512.

La Causa is one of the largest bilingual, multicultural agencies in Milwaukee. We are committed to providing children, youth and families with quality, comprehensive services to nurture healthy family life and enhance community stability. Serving over 13,000 individuals annually La Causa provides a broad range of family‐centered services, from early education and care to elementary and middle school education in a Charter School setting; from foster care recruitment, to mental health treatment services to parenting classes and support groups; and from ensuring children’s most basic needs are met to providing shelter and resources for families in crisis.