Application Window Open for MMSD’s Early College Academies

MADISON, Wis.—The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is now accepting applications for its Early College Academies, a set of tuition-free dual-enrollment programs offered in partnership with Madison College that allow students to earn high school and college credit at the same time. Applications will be accepted through Jan. 29.

“These pathways are designed to meet students where they are and help them see what’s possible,” Mary Jankovich, MMSD executive director of career, community and college readiness said. “When students participate in Early College Academies, they gain confidence, earn valuable credits and build a strong foundation for whatever they choose next.”

The academies provide students hands-on experience, industry-relevant coursework and a head start on postsecondary education. Each academy includes dedicated support, small cohorts and real-world learning opportunities tied to high-demand career areas.

“Young people in the Early College Academies prove what is possible when they are given access, support, and the chance to earn college credit tuition-free,” said Tina Ahedo, Madison College Vice President of Student Success Pathways. “Their accomplishments inspire us, and we’re eager to see even more students step into these programs and build on this growing legacy of success.”

Since their inception in 2018, the Early College Academies have welcomed more than 700 MMSD students, helping them graduate with not only the lived experience of having taken part in college-level coursework in an actual college environment, but also with credits that they have been able to apply toward their post-secondary careers.

All academies operate on a cohort model; virtual information sessions will be held on Dec. 10 and Jan. 15.

• STEM Academy: Open to students who apply in their sophomore year for enrollment during their junior and senior years. The academy focuses on science, technology, engineering and mathematics and gives students access to lab-based coursework and college-level STEM experiences.
  
• Education Academy: Open to students who apply in their junior year for their senior-year participation. Students explore careers in education, gain early teaching experience and complete coursework that supports future studies in the field.
  
• Networking and Cybersecurity Academy: Open to students applying in their junior year. This academy introduces students to IT systems, security fundamentals and hands-on technical skills aligned with a fast-growing sector.
  
• Biotechnology Academy: Open to students applying in their junior year. Students participate in lab-based biotechnology coursework and explore pathways in biomedical research, lab sciences and related careers.
  
• Running Start – Personalized Academy: Open to students applying in their junior year. Running Start allows students to enroll full-time at Madison College during their senior year and earn up to a full year of transferable college credit.

“Early College Academies provide students with the opportunity to engage in college-level learning, develop essential real-world skills and begin mapping their paths toward high-demand careers—all before they graduate from high school,” said Schauna Rasmussen, Madison College Dean of Early College and Workforce Strategy. “This opportunity is exactly the kind of access and momentum we want for every learner who aspires to lead a fulfilled life.”

For more information on Early College Academies, including application links and details about upcoming information sessions, visit MMSD’s Early College Opportunities webpage.

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About the Madison Metropolitan School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.

Read(y) to Wear designer outfits now on display at Dane County Regional Airport

A display of 20 unique creations from each year of Read(y) to Wear, Madison Reading Project’s preeminent paper fashion design competition supporting local literacy, is now enlivening Dane County Regional Airport’s Art Court.

Until mid-June, the detailed and handmade paper clothing designed by local teams of individuals, students, businesses, artists, and nonprofits is showcased for viewing for all travelers and visitors to the airport. The designs highlight some of the best creativity from the eight years the local nonprofit has produced the annual fashion design show.

Paula Panczenko and Andreé Valley curated the exhibit. Travelers, fashion, and art lovers can get a sneak peek at what’s in store at the 2026 event. “This nonprofit has blown me away at every level,” says Panczenko. “This fundraiser is not just a show using fabrics, every costume must be made of 90% paper. The results are breathtaking and unbelievably imaginative!” 

“The hours of design and fabrication time to make wearable paper fashion are not overlooked,” says Rowan Childs, the nonprofit’s co-executive director and founder. “Not only does it need to look good, but it needs to hold together while the model wears it all night, walking the stage and strutting on the catwalk. The airport display allows many more people to see unique, local creativity and learn about our nonprofit work and mission.” 

With a nod to the reality TV show “Project Runway,” Read(y) to Wear incorporates original designs made from all kinds of paper materials, conforming to a literacy theme. The 2025 theme was Legend and Fairy Tales; the 2026 theme will be announced in January. The volunteer hours for the nonprofit show are donated to Madison Reading Project through a team’s design time and the day of the event, creating a unique, one-of-a-kind fundraiser. 

“This year, we had a sell-out crowd of more than 500 attend Read(y) to Wear,” Childs adds. “The 2026 fashion show/literacy fundraiser is June 11 at The Sylvee. We appreciate the spirit and enthusiasm of our contestants as this wonderful event couldn’t happen without them.”

“In early spring, design sign-ups begin,” Childs adds. “Anyone can put a design team together and join the competition. At showtime, each team competes in front of the audience and a panel of local celebrity judges, who vote to select the winners. All proceeds go to Madison Reading Project to further our mission of providing free books to area kids and literacy support.”

Since 2014, Madison Reading Project has worked with children, families, and educators and  engaged annually with more than 250 area partners, connecting the community with free, new books and literacy resources to ignite a love for reading and affirm and reflect the diversity of young readers. With multiple programs in order to reach many children, families, and educators, the nonprofit has given more than 885,000 books to communities across greater Dane County and in working with Dolly Parton Imagination Library program an additional 155,000 per year since 2022.

 More info at madisonreadingproject.com/readytowear2025

MMSD Partners with UW Women’s Basketball for Annual Education Day

MADISON, Wis.—Hundreds of Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) students will fill the Kohl Center on Wednesday, Dec. 10, as part of the University of Wisconsin–Madison women’s basketball team’s annual Education Day, with the Badgers taking on the University of San Diego Toreros at 11 a.m.

Education Day invites district and other local schools to attend a regular-season game during the school day, offering students an opportunity to experience a collegiate sporting event while engaging in fun, school-focused activities. UW Athletics and MMSD maintain a medium-intensity partnership that supports the district’s eight full-service Community Schools (Hawthorne, John F. Kennedy, Lake View, Aldo Leopold, Mendota, Orchard Ridge, Carl Sandburg, and Lori Mann Carey elementary schools), whose participation is prioritized for this event. 

UW will provide attendees with educational activity packets, LED batons and interactive in-game experiences, including a Teacher Shootout during halftime.

This year’s game builds on the excitement of past Education Day events, which have drawn crowds of nearly 6,000 students from across the region. MMSD schools have used the event to support student engagement, community building and real-world learning beyond the classroom.

“Education Day is a wonderful chance for our students to see learning come to life in a new setting,” said Cindy Green, MMSD assistant superintendent of strategy and innovation. “It highlights the connection between athletics and academics, helps students feel part of our broader community and shows how powerful partnerships can be in expanding student opportunity..”

Sonia Spencer, MMSD senior strategic partnerships coordinator, said the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to student success.

“Our students benefit tremendously when organizations across Madison come together on their behalf,” Spencer said. “UW Athletics has created an event that is not only joyful, inclusive and inspiring, but also directly connects athletics with our literacy initiatives.”

“Wisconsin Athletics is thrilled to welcome students to the Kohl Center for Education Day—a unique opportunity to learn and experience the excitement of Badger women’s basketball,” said Marija Pientka, senior associate athletic director for sports administration/senior woman administrator (SWA). “We are proud of our partnership with MMSD that makes it possible to turn a school day into an inspiring, hands-on experience.”

The event underscores the district’s continued focus on building partnerships that connect students with meaningful experiences across Madison.

Tickets are available to the general public at UW Athletics’ official ticket website. Organizations interested in partnering with MMSD are encouraged to visit the district’s website for more information.

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About the Madison Metropolitan School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.

About Wisconsin Athletics

The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison provides student-athletes opportunities to excel, and thereby advance their athletic, academic, and social development. Through its commitment to education, broad-based opportunity and competitive excellence across its 23 Division 1 sport programs, UW Athletics is elevating the lives of our student-athletes, each other and people in the university community. For further information, visit:  http://UWBadgers.com

County Executive Melissa Agard to Host Community Listening Sessions on the 2026 Dane County Budget and Year Ahead

DANE COUNTY – Dane County Executive Melissa Agard will host a series of community listening sessions throughout Dane County in December and January to discuss the recently passed 2026 county budget and share updates on challenges and opportunities in the year ahead.

These listening sessions are an opportunity for residents, local leaders, and stakeholders to hear directly from County Executive Agard about key investments, ongoing fiscal pressures, and priorities for strengthening county services and community well-being. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions.

Listening Session Schedule (note: each listening session will be 1 hour):

Thursday, December 11 | 5:00pm

Windsor Municipal Building

4430 Windsor Rd., Windsor

Tuesday, December 16 | 11:30am

Mazomanie Community Building

9 Brodhead St., Mazomanie

Wednesday, December 17 | 5:00pm

Deerfield Public Library

12 W. Nelson St., Deerfield

Thursday, December 18 | 12:30pm

Stoughton Public Library

304 S. Fourth St., Stoughton

Wednesday, January 21 | 7:00 pm

County Executive Agard will present at the Dane County Towns Association Meeting

Rutland Town Hall – 785 Center Rd, Stoughton, WI 53589

Members of the media and public are invited to attend any of the sessions.

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MMSD Opens Madison Promise Spring Semester Enrollment Window for High School Students

MADISON, Wis.—The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) has opened the spring semester enrollment window for Madison Promise, the district’s fully online learning program for high school students. 

Families interested in exploring a flexible, student-centered learning option are invited to apply beginning today. Students enrolled in Madison Promise can take a full schedule of MMSD courses taught by licensed teachers, with opportunities to personalize the pace and structure of their learning. 

The program is designed to support a wide range of student needs, including those who prefer online learning, those balancing responsibilities outside of school and those seeking a quieter or more self-directed academic setting.

“Madison Promise continues to be a strong option for students who thrive in an online environment,” said Mary Jankovich, executive director of college, career and community readiness. “Our educators work closely with each learner to build relationships, support their academic progress and ensure they have what they need to succeed.”

Launched in the 2021–22 school year, Madison Promise serves students in grades nine through 12 and offers a complete virtual learning environment grounded in five core principles: meaningful student engagement, strong relationship-building with dedicated teachers, high-quality professional development for educators, flexibility and a commitment to student voice and choice.

“Flexibility and belonging are at the heart of Madison Promise,” Jankovich said. “The online setting allows us to meet students where they are and support them in taking ownership of their learning in ways that fit their goals.”

The application window will remain open through Jan. 16, and space may be limited.

Families can learn more about curriculum, expectations and enrollment on the Madison Promise website. For additional information or support with the application process, families are encouraged to contact the district through Let’s Talk.

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About the Madison Metropolitan School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.