about
Dr. Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy
learn more about
who we are
Dr. Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy is a public charter school serving scholars on Milwaukee’s north side.
We offer a full K3–12 continuum by welcoming Central City Cyberschool as our elementary campus and adding 500 seats. We are growing to 1,500 by Fall 2028, a significant step toward an equitable, cohesive, and empowering educational experience for Milwaukee’s Black students from early childhood through high school graduation.
Our school sets ambitious goals for student achievement and we believe that all scholars are capable of academic success. Our graduates are consistently accepted to four-year colleges and universities at a rate of 100 percent since 2012.
Our offerings are designed to support the whole child and send scholars to and through college. Students access early college credit and dual enrollment, high-dosage tutoring, and targeted ACT preparation. They find belonging and leadership through robotics, the Mardak-Vandenberg recording studios, marching band, visual and performing arts, fashion design, clubs, and athletics. Every senior receives one-on-one advising, internships connect learning to careers, and wellness services provide mental health and family supports.
Consistent culture, daily attendance habits, and data-driven teaching anchor learning from K3 through 12th grade. Traditions like Mission Day lift alumni as role models, and partnerships with colleges and community organizations open real pathways. With your support, we will deepen this unified K3–12 pathway and expand opportunities so every scholar can thrive.
We do more than prepare our scholars for higher education. We provide them with the skills necessary to effect change in society and help transform their local, national and global communities.
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Dr. Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy:
a pathway to excellence
The work of transforming our community and building a pipeline of future leaders is never done. With your support, we are now launching the most critical piece of our strategy: a K3-12 education model that reaches students from the very start of their academic journey.
The Problem:
The Urgency of a Northside pathway
Milwaukee is in the midst of an education crisis. The city ranked last in the nation on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in 2024, with only 8% of eighth graders and 12% of fourth graders proficient in math. This crisis is most acute for the students we serve in the 53216 and 53212 zip codes, where families lack access to high-performing, community-rooted public education options.
While traditional Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) high schools face declining enrollment, families are searching for alternatives. For many students, however, waiting until high school is too late. Fewer than 10 percent of students who enter HFCA in sixth grade are reading on grade level. Students at Whitefish Bay High School average an ACT score of 25. In Milwaukee, the average ACT score for Black students is 13. A score of 21 is widely considered college-ready. To close this gap and set our scholars up for long-term success, we must build literacy and numeracy skills in early childhood.
Located just over four miles from our middle school, ZIP code 53217, which includes Bayside and Whitefish Bay, has a median household income of $132,044, a median home value of $426,100, and a population that is approximately 83% White.
This stark juxtaposition highlights the urgency of our work. We believe that a child’s zip code should not determine their destiny. By expanding our model, we are starting to level the playing field for Black families on the Northside and proving that our students can achieve success despite the odds.
Our Solution:
A unified k3-12 pipeline
We are building a comprehensive K3-12 educational pipeline to solve this crisis. This strategic expansion will grow HFCA’s enrollment to a unified, three-campus model serving over 1,000 students across all campuses. This number will reach 1,500 students at full capacity by 2028.
This expansion is not just about growth; it is about building on our strengths to deliver a consistent, high-quality, and vertically-aligned educational experience from early childhood through high school graduation. HFCA is giving families on the Northside what they want: a high potential school that is leaving a legacy of success.
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Our proven impact:
a record of results
HFCA has a proven track record of getting students to and through college, with a student population that is 97% African American and 85% economically disadvantaged. Our data proves our model is working.
- Academic Growth: Over the last three years, our Pre-SAT ELA proficiency has nearly doubled from 10.2% to 18%.
- Graduation & College Readiness: Since 2012, 100% of our graduating seniors have been accepted into college.
- College Credits in High School: The Class of 2024 earned 254 college credits. The Class of 2025 has already earned 428 college credits. Over the last three years, dual enrollment participation has grown from 13 students to 51, with a 90% pass rate.
- Student Support: To address behavioral and mental health challenges, we use Deans of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) instead of disciplinary staff. Our SEL Deans, along with our Senior Director of Pupil Services, implement innovative restorative practices to stabilize students, build resilience, and create a school culture rooted in safety, belonging, and wellness.
The Path Forward:
Securing the Northside’s Future
We are not just scaling; we are scaling with purpose and fidelity. Our commitment is to grow while maintaining our rigorous standards and supportive culture. We have a clear path forward guided by our three-year strategic plan.
- Trajectory Changing Instruction: Our goal is to significantly increase student achievement. We will use robust data systems to actively monitor student performance and make real-time adjustments. We are implementing high-quality instructional materials in Reading and Math across all grades to ensure every student has the tools to succeed. By the end of our strategic plan, we aim for our graduating senior class to have an average ACT score of 18 and for 70% of high school students to earn a 2.8 GPA or higher.
- The HFCA Way: We are committed to being the number one choice for students, families, and staff. We will provide increased student support, including targeted ACT and Wisconsin Forward Prep, high-dosage tutoring during and after school, and clear intervention practices. To build our community, we will create clear expectations and opportunities for family engagement and increase student participation in enriching activities and athletics. We are committed to achieving 92% average daily attendance, less than 10% student attrition, and a staff retention rate of 85% or higher.
- Growth: We are focused on increasing community support and impact. We will continue our strategic recruitment efforts to drive enrollment while engaging the community with intentional fundraising. Our goal is to reach a total student enrollment of 1,500 students by 2028 and to secure $3 million in annual contributed support.
learn more about our founder:
Dr. howard fuller
Dr. Howard Fuller is a nationally recognized civil rights leader, educator, and champion for educational equity whose lifelong work has reshaped conversations about opportunity and access in American schools. From his early days as a community organizer and co-founder of Malcolm X Liberation University to serving as Superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools, Dr. Fuller has consistently fought for systems that empower families and expand choices for children, especially those from low-income and underserved communities.
As the founder and longtime director of the Institute for the Transformation of Learning at Marquette University, Dr. Fuller has supported innovative educational approaches, influenced national policy, and inspired generations of educators and advocates. His profound impact on the school choice movement and education reform is captured in the PBS documentary A Fuller Education — a compelling profile of his vision, struggles, and legacy.
Our Partners
