Carmen Middle School, South

A Middle School Experience Where Students Grow, Explore, and Prepare for the Next Big Thing

Select a Carmen School:

Main Office: 414-310-8056
2433 S 15th St, Milwaukee, WI 53215

Located in Milwaukee's Lincoln Village

2433 S 15th St, Milwaukee, WI 53215

Serving Grades 6-8 on Milwaukee’s Southside since 2018! Middle school is a transformative time for our youth. At Carmen Middle School, school leaders and educators foster an environment that prepares our students for success in high school-academically and socially.

With an emphasis on college readiness standards for Reading, English Language Arts, and Mathematics, our middle schools hold high standards for instruction and additional support. Starting with our Bridge Program, we design a beginning-of-year experience to help elementary school students transitioning to middle school and upon 8th grade completion, rising 8th graders complete our Bridge Program to aid in the transition to high school. Students have access to Advisory, a daily period of academic advising, goal-setting, community service, or circle time to bond with their peers. Intervention and office hours offer additional support for students who require 1:1 help outside of the classroom to make sure they stay on the right track.

Our middle school students are offered various opportunities for enrichment from electives to athletics. At SMS, student athletes can explore seasonal sports like soccer, dance/cheer, and flag football.

To help families stay connected and support every student’s success, Carmen Schools provides easy access to key online systems for enrollment, academics, and communication.

SCHOOLMINT

Apply
Register
Re-enroll

POWERSCHOOL

View student grades
View student attendance
View school schedule & more

Note: District Code is XFGP

SCHOOLRUNNER

Track student behavior
Access parent communication tools
Review student attendance

A Day in the Life: What Middle School Looks Like at SMS

Every day at Carmen is designed to support the whole child, academically, socially, and emotionally, beginning with middle school bridge. Bridge is a special orientation series designed to help promoted students transition into the world of middle school. All incoming 6th graders learn about school culture, requirements, and expectations while meeting staff, students, and new friends.

Students begin their day in advisory, building strong relationships with a dedicated advisor who stays with them throughout their middle school experience. Academic classes are balanced with three rotating electives each year, giving students the opportunity to explore new interests and ideas.

Each day includes 20 minutes of independent reading, rooted in a strong culture of literacy across all grade levels. Students also benefit from recess, a rare but important part of the middle school experience that supports movement and social connection.

Through our partnership with Wayfinder, students engage in daily social-emotional learning programming, while after school, they can participate in athletics, arts, and clubs that bring students together through common interests and healthy competition.

Bridge

Advisory
(same advisor 3 years)

Core classes + electives

Daily reading priority
(25 min)

Recess

Socio-emotional learning (SEL) programs

After-school clubs/sports

Critical Thinkers. Self-Directed Learners.

Academics + Electives  (4 per year)

Students participate in four electives each year, including engineering and electronics that build critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

STEM-centered, hands-on learning

Our experienced educators and through our partnership with award-winning Gearbox Labs, students engage in weekly, hands-on STEM experiences including 3D printing, design, robotics, and programming

Clubs + After-school activities

Carmen middle school students can explore their interests through Student Council, Book Club, Hip Hop Step/Dance, and the One Earth Club focused on sustainability and environmental impact.

Athletics

Programs like soccer, basketball, volleyball, and flag football are continuing to expand. If you are interested in coaching or volunteering, please contact our main office!

Student Support & Wayfinder

We know that students learn best when they feel supported, seen, heard, and valued. We prioritize socio-emotional learning daily helping our students build confidence, self-awareness, leadership skills, and emphasize making good choices through experiential, life-building activities.

99%

Students feel supported

Our partnership with Wayfinder helps our students strengthen these future-ready skills to help them succeed in middle school while preparing for life in high school. Our support includes advisory with peer-to-peer and staff support and mandatory life checks to address middle school’s most challenging moments with solid action plans.

Student Services and In-School Support

SEL with Wayfinder

Advisory

1:1 Life Checks

School Social Workers

Community is at the heart of Carmen Middle School South.

We don’t just talk about it, we intentionally build it every day with our families, students, and partners.

Monthly Cafecito con Carmen

Connect with school leadership and staff, ask questions, and stay informed in a welcoming space for current and prospective families.

SMS Parent Committee

Join a dedicated group of parents who support school events, share feedback, and help strengthen our school community.

Community Service Requirement

Students give back through 10 hours of service on our annual Carmen Day and 10 additional independent service hours each year.

Partnerships to Support Students and Families

We collaborate with organizations like Pearls for Teen Girls, Wayfinder, and SMILES to provide meaningful programs and on-site resources for our students.

Meet the Principal

This year has been a true joy to lead at Carmen South Middle School. Every day, I get to witness our students growing into confident, compassionate young people, supported so deeply by the care and commitment of our teachers and staff. It’s a powerful reminder that when students are surrounded by people who believe in them, they begin to believe in themselves.
— Jenna Larson, Principal

School Leadership

Elli Gil

Assistant Principal

gile@carmenhighschool.org

Meet Our Educators:  Certified and Specialized

Our educators take pride in their professional education and serve as both staff and mentors to our students, showcasing what’s possible! From Trinity Fellows with advanced degrees in educational policy to American Board-certified teachers and grant-winning innovators in their subjects, our staff is deeply invested in student success. Our team includes specialized support staff such as social workers, ELL leaders, and special education professionals who ensure every student at our campus receives the support they need.

Mr. Rodgers, Middle School Science Teacher

Mr. Rodgers, our middle school science teacher, is bringing learning to life in powerful ways—both inside and outside the classroom. His dedication to the student experience has led to the creation of an after-school science lab where students dive into hands-on experiments, from frog dissections to other scientific exploration. Beyond the lab, Mr. Rodgers is also cultivating a deeper sense of environmental stewardship, leading a gardening initiative that prioritizes native plants and connects students to the world around them. His work reflects a commitment not just to teaching science, but to inspiring curiosity, responsibility, and a lifelong love of learning.

Commonly Used Systems