The Alliance School is a public high school located in the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It serves the needs of students in grades 9–12. The Milwaukee Public Schools website describes it as, "a safe place for students regardless of sexuality, identity, appearance, ability, or beliefs. Students considering Alliance should be open to working with students of all backgrounds and abilities. Academic excellence and the pursuit of higher education are expectations for all students." Description Alliance is a teacher-led school, headed by Lead Teacher and co-founder Tina Owen. The enrollment for the 2009–2010 school year is approximately 175. Founded in 2005 the school was located on Galena Street but moved to Walnut Street for the 2009–2010 school year to an older building which has housed a number of other Milwaukee Public School projects over the decades. It operates on a year-round school calendar, unlike most Milwaukee Public Schools. While Alliance is a charter school, employees are members of the appropriate MPS unions. Alliance has numerous outreach programs for students, such as an "Art and Social Justice" program headed up by Alliance's dedicated art teacher. Recognition Along with New York City's Harvey Milk School, Alliance was cited as a role model for the proposed Social Justice High School-Pride Campus in Chicago, Illinois. In November 2009, it was awarded the Silver Award (2nd place) as "High Achievement Charter School of the Year" by the Wisconsin Charter Schools Association. In 2011, it received the WCSA's Platinum Award ("Charter School of the Year") as "most accountable, autonomous, innovative and involved charter school". Expansion to middle school In December 2008, a subcommittee of the Milwaukee Board of School Directors unanimously approved the expansion of Alliance' mission from a high school, to include middle school students as early as 6th grade, making Alliance the United States' first known gay-safe middle school for the coming academic year. Lead Teacher Tina Owen emphasized that Alliance would continue to provide a safe haven for all students suffering harassment, not just gay ones. The creation and expansion of Alliance have been uncontroversial in Milwaukee, Owen observed, compared to reactions in New York and Chicago. Contract extension A district charter school review team recommended a nonrenewal of the school's contract after the 2009–2010 year because of the school's failure to meet some academic targets spelled out in its agreement with the district, and its failure to comply with some minor paperwork issues.