One City Schools, Inc. is a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization that operates high quality independent and public preschools and grade schools in Wisconsin. We bring our community together to create and run excellent schools that cultivate healthy, happy, thoughtful and resourceful, solution-oriented thinkers who have the capacity, passion and commitment to thrive personally, and to empower others to change our world for the better. 

Two-generation community impact approach

One City Schools’ model includes a two-generation community impact approach. Our schools provide affordable, accessible and high-quality preschool and community programs, and tuition-free grades schools, that partner with parents and the community to prepare young children for school and life success. We also work hand-in-hand with parents and the broader community to ensure our students have the fundamental capacity to succeed in school and life from cradle to career, and become the innovators and effective leaders we will need them to be in the future.

Our families, staff, volunteers and the broader community work together to ensure that our children have the support they need and deserve to succeed. We utilize a robust network of community partnerships, routinely evaluate our success, and stay current on the latest research to ensure we are doing our very best to cultivate happy, healthy and successful young people.

Ecosystem Model to Support Achievement

Our 21st Century Equity Agenda

1. Breaking the cycle of longstanding achievement and opportunity gaps that have symbiotically undermined the goals, aspirations and potential of generations of children of color and under-resourced children in Wisconsin and across the United States.

2. Creating a new system of public education that effectively prepares all children, from birth through higher education, to tackle today’s challenges, solve tomorrow’s greatest problems, and lead successful, happy and enriching lives as adults and parents in a rapidly changing and globally competitive economy.

Picture of a Family for Our 21st century equity agenda section

Three Schools

We currently operate three schools: One City Preschool (OCP), One City Elementary School (OCES) and One City Preparatory Academy (OCPA).

Our Preschool is an accredited, independent, 5-Star tuition-based early learning center serving children ages 24 months to 4-years-old (4-years old who are not yet age eligible for 4K).

Our Elementary School is a tuition-free, independent public charter school that presently serves children in four-year old (4K) to seventh grade.

In February 2019, One City Schools, Inc. was approved by the University of Wisconsin System, our public charter school authorizer, to expand our public school to serve children from 4K through 6th grade. In February 2023, One City Schools, Inc. was approved by the UW System to add our secondary school, One City Preparatory Academy currently serving 7th grade. Grade 8 will be added in 2024-25. 

A school like no other in Wisconsin!

Come see for yourself what makes One City unique

Learn more about One City Schools. Review and prepare for our Enrollment Process for 2023 - 2024 School Year.
Open House 2024-25
There is no other place like One City!