Milwaukee Public Schools has nearly 10 public Montessori programs. That's unheard of in public districts. And the schools are among MPS' best. So, I join the community in saluting MacDowell Montessori School, 1706 W. Highland Ave., as it celebrates 35 years as a public Montessori. In its early days, MacDowell was a key battleground in school desegregation in Milwaukee.