MPS Enrollment Fair January 30th from 9-noon at Milwaukee High School of the Arts

"Three-Choice enrollment" runs Feb. 1-19 at MPS.

MPS is holding an enrollment fair so parents can learn all about MPS schools and programs and meet principals.

Parents and students looking for a new neighborhood, specialty or charter school for the fall or in the coming years are invited to attend so they can get their enrollment application in early.

Free backpacks will be provided to the first 250 families to enroll their student at the event, which is set for Saturday, January 30 from 9 a.m. to noon at MPS' Milwaukee High School of the Arts, 2300 W. Highland Avenue in  Milwaukee.

The fair will allow families to fill out a Three-Choice Enrollment application before the applications open online.

The Three-Choice application allows a family to select up to three schools in which they are interested for their child.

Child care will be available at the fair.

"Meeting a school leader in person and learning about the strong academic, extracurricular and athletic programs each school offers is one of the best ways to find the school that's right for your child," MPS Superintendent Dr. Darienne Driver said. "We invite families who are making their school decisions for the fall - or in future years - to join us."

Families who cannot attend the fair can still enroll starting Monday, February 1.

Families can enroll online. We have a link by clicking here.

MPS Media Manager Tony  Taglivia was a special live guest on the CBS 58 News at 4 p.m.

He explained that applying at the fair or during the Three-Choice period gives families their best opportunity to attend their first-choice school.

All applications received at the fair and during the Three-Choice Period (February 1-19, 2016) are treated equally and a random selection process will take place if there are more interested families than seats in a given school or grade level.

Families receive an enrollment preference if a sibling is enrolled in the school or if it is their neighborhood school.

Enrollment applications received after February 19 are handled on a first-come, first-served basis.

This year's fair comes as MPS continues to expand access to strong programs.

Expansions for the upcoming school year include  an addition for Fernwood Montessori School, a new location for  Rufus King International Middle School to  2760 N. 1st Street and  a new charter school called  Milwaukee Excellence Charter School that  will begin serving students in grade 6 in the fall.