I realized there was something special about Messmer High School minutes into Brother Bob Smith’s 8th-grade commencement speech during Harambee Community School’s eighth-grade graduation ceremony in 1992.
It was not merely his enthusiastic presentation about the school’s unique and varied academic programs at the Catholic school, located less than a mile from the Community Journal offices on King Drive.
Instead, it was his seemingly simplistic formula for student success:
Committed teachers, a college preparatory curriculum, and, most impressively, high expectations for each student.
In other words, no excuses and no exceptions.
The cherry on the top was mandatory parental involvement.
Parents who did not see themselves as full participants in the educational process need not apply, as space was limited, and the school’s urban mission was to produce what W.E.B. Dubois called the ‘Talented Tenth.’
I enrolled my son Malik in the next freshmen class, followed by his two brothers.
Time has proven I made the right decision, not only because Messmer provided them an excellent education but also because they were part of a unique fraternity- role models who understood the importance of values and cultural mores.
Soon after Malik’s admission, Messmer became the catalyst for expanding the Milwaukee Parental School Choice Program (MPCP) to sectarian schools.
A sectarian school—or institution—is, according to what ever dictionary you subscribe to, any entity that belongs to a particular sect or party, especially in religion (‘religious sectarianism’).
Though it met all of the MPCP requirements, Messmer was denied admission when a state official (at the behest of the teachers’ union, which continues to oppose educational options for poor Black children) noticed a ‘cross’ on one of the school’s walls.
Yes, a cross, which signified to the faithless liberal gatekeepers that Messmer’s students were ‘victims of prayer’ versus being ‘preyed upon’ in some failing government schools.
Brother Bob and the school choice coalition took the case to court, eventually leading to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that parents could use ‘their’ tax dollars to attend denominational schools.
As a result, Messmer became one of the country’s most watched and assessed schools.
That prism was soon shared when Messmer took on the challenge to run two elementary schools at the behest of the Milwaukee Archdiocese—St. Mary’s in 1999 and St. Rose in 2007.
Academically and culturally, the additions represented a sound communal decision.
Economically, their inclusion came with a financial burden that taxed administrators.
Few observers understood the struggles that accompanied schools participating in the MPCP, receiving less than half the funding for the Milwaukee Public School (MPS) system.
That reality necessitated ongoing fundraising and careful selection of teachers—committed instructors willing to absorb smaller salaries and benefits in exchange for teaching in a safe environment where students were committed to the ‘Messmer Vision.’
It didn’t help that many elementary school students enrolling in the schools were two to three years behind. The elementary schools accepted the challenge, but it came at a cost.
It’s a reality board members–including myself– accepted as both a challenge and an opportunity to break the chains of ‘educational apartheid’ in Milwaukee.
The fact that the elementary schools continue to have waiting lists is a testament to the vision and execution of goals despite budgets that paled in comparison to MPS’ budgets.
Those contrasting realities were considered when the Messmer board decided two weeks ago to shift the administration of the elementary schools back to the Catholic Archdiocese and focus all of its energies and resources on Messmer High.
It was not a decision made in haste or myopically.
In fact, it was made with the knowledge that the Archdiocese is committed to urban education and the success of its relatively new academic umbrella, Seton Schools.
To be honest, I was initially taken aback—a step or two–when Messmer president Jim Piatt introduced the idea to me.
Over two decades of energy and effort have been put into St. Rose and St. Mary. Sacrifices were made, and resources were allocated. They were part of the family, a launching pad for Messmer High School.
What would happen to the staff? How would parents view the decision? How would the community look upon this decision?
My mind floated back two and half decades ago to the board’s vote to introduce uniforms. I was the only opposing vote, stating my fear that the students would be ‘further’ stigmatized.
My rationale was rooted in the sad and disingenuous reality that many Black students had suffered the indignation of being ostracized by brainwashed and misguided community youth who, out of jealousy and ignorance (actually stupidity), felt Messmer students were ‘elite’—above them.
Carrying books home and taking pride in their student status somehow made them ‘uppity.’
Already victimized by that disingenuous mindset, I feared uniforms would further set our students apart and make them victims of the stupidity associated with the redundant and morally corrupt paradigm that personalacademic achievement, high moral standards,and even acceptance of religious tenets are’acting white.’
But I regress.
Just as my lone vote was eventually provento be misplaced, it didn’t take more than a fewseconds for me to realize the new focus ofMessmer would be a windfall for our community.
Milwaukee has many excellent elementaryschools within and outside the governmentschool paradigm. But we still need a significant number of top-tier high schools. Theclosing of Hope School because of economicstrains added to that problem.
Messmer is near the top of the pool. But itslack of resources has hindered it from takinganyone for more.
The two elementary schools will be absorbed by Seton schools and, as such, willprosper under that model. In fact, little will change other than the name on the checks.
Moreover, concentrating all its resources onthe high school will result in a stronger Messmer.
Not only will it mean more competitive salaries and benefits for staff, but new visionaryprogramming, additional support staff, and amore substantial presence in our communityas the premiere sectarian academic anchor inthe Black community.
As Piatt explained in a letter to the Messmer family last week, “Our fundamental missionat Messmer High School has always been toplace a strong focus on preparing our graduates for college, careers, and community contributions through a rigorous academiccurriculum and diverse student programs.
“As Messmer High School prepares for our100th year in 2025, with a goal of expandingenrollment to 600 students, we are recommitting to our mission of delivering exceptionalCatholic high school education.”
It is no coincidence that among the graduates of my late son’s class have actualized DuBois’ vision—they include lawyers,entrepreneurs, and two alderpersons.
This is not to say the succeeding classeswere not noteworthy, but there was something special about being the center of theMessmer family at that time.
The redeployed high school will introducea new level of educational excellence and anew corps of the Talented Tenth. And Elevenand Twelfth.
Hotep.
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