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Regular & Summer School Enrollment Underway

Contact Leslie Newman at leslie.newman@aurora.org or 414-454-6593 to arrange a visit to Kradwell School.  Openings are immediately available in both the middle and high school programs.

Kradwell Summer School provides the opportunity for makeup, enrichment, remediation and social skills development.  Students grades 5 through 12 receive individualized instruction in classes with a 5/1 student/teacher ratio.

Kradwell is the only summer school program that offers the entire academic curriculum.  Students who are weak in a subject area, ie., Math, Science or English,  improve their GPA's by taking these courses during the summer and concentrate on their other courses during the regular school year, in addition to freeing up their schedules for Art, Band,Theater and Sports opportunities.  It is possible to complete an entire course during summer school, i.e., Geometry, Chemistry, English 11, etc.

New this year is a Social Skills class that incorporates classroom and experiential learning.

Established in 1963, Kradwell School is a private, nontraditional, nonsectarian fifth through twelfth grade Program. Kradwell School specializes in serving students who cannot succeed in the traditional school environment.

Success at Kradwell is generated by teachers and support staff whose goal is to develop an educational plan tailored to the learning and behavioral characteristics of each child.

Kradwell is inclusive, not exclusive. The enrollment process involves a meeting including the student, parents, Kradwell Principal or Program Coordinator. At this meeting our middle or high school programs are described, questions answered, references offered and a tour is given. When the student and his/her family are satisfied that Kradwell will meet their needs, enrollment follows.

Our program model dates to 1975, when Principal Mark Bialzik and two colleagues sought to develop a program model that promoted success for all students, one that placed the student at the apex of the learning process, like the keystone of an arch. Kradwell needed to adjust to the student, not the student adjust to Kradwell.

Individualized Instruction is the foundation of our academically focused education program. This method mandates a small teacher to student ratio, 1/5. Not only does this method allow students to progress at their own rate, it also eliminates the need for excessive homework. In fact, most students complete all work in school, allowing them time to pursue outside interests like the arts and sports. Another outgrowth of Individualized Instruction is a shorter school day. Students attend six classes for three hours in either the A.M or P.M.

Progress reports (report cards) are issued every six weeks. Unique to our program are weekly progress notes. Progress reports and notes are available on-line.

As mentioned above, our program is inclusive. Staff understands the learning and behavioral health issues presented by our students. These include Dyslexia, A.D.D., A.D.H.D, Anxiety Disorders, Bi-Polar Disorder, Depression, P.S.T.D., O.C.D., Reactive Attachment Disorder and Asperger’s Syndrome. Though unsuccessful in the traditional school setting, many of our students function in the gifted and talented range.

Success is the Rule: A video Tour of Kradwell School

The 2009 graduation of 38 students was the largest in Kradwell’s history as well as the first to be professionally recorded. Speakers included Robert Blust, Dean of Undergraduate admissions, Marquette University, Anne Blust, 2005 Kradwell Graduate and 2009 Edgewood College Graduate,and Mark Bialzik, Principal, Kradwell School.

The featured speakers at the 2011 graduation ceremony were Peggy Jordan Vitkus and her daughter Elizabeth Werner Kish. Peg joined the Kradwell School staff in 2005 as school secretary.

Liz is a 2000 Kradwell graduate. She is married, attending nursing school and raising a son and daughter.

Philosophy
We believe that students, who choose to attend our nontraditional school benefit from our highly structured, individualized plan for their academic, emotional and behavioral growth.

Enrollment
The Kradwell School program is designed to meet a variety of educational and behavioral needs. Enrollment is often precipitated by failure to succeed in the traditional school setting or other crisis situations. In response, students are welcome to enroll throughout the school year.

Parental involvement
An integral part of our program is parental involvement. When the student is enrolled in our program, the parents are asked to contact with us whenever there are issues outside of school that may impact school behavior or performance, so that we are better able to deal with any evidences of the issues at school. The assistant principal serves as the direct contact for parents. Parents are contacted if serious problems arise, be they disciplinary or unexcused absence. Parents are called within one hour of starting time if students are not present. Minor problems are resolved via techniques designed involve the student in problem resolution.

Location
Kradwell School is located on a historic 30-acre campus overlooking the Menomonee River and the "village" area of Wauwatosa. We are within two miles of both I-94 and WI 45 and within 2-3 blocks of the following bus routes: #31 State/Highland and #67 N. 76th/S. 84th buses.

Kradwell School
1220 Dewey Avenue
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin 53213
(414) 454-6590

FAX: 414-454-6764
Email: mark.bialzik@aurora.org

Principal: Mark Bialzik
Assistant Principal: Lynette Leighton
Program Coordinator, Leslie Newman