USM Adds Varsity Dance for 2026–27 School Year

With 82% of Upper School students competing in at least one sport during the 2025–26 school year, University School of Milwaukee students will have another varsity sport to choose from starting next school year—dance. The dance team will compete in the winter season, and the team will also perform at select USM athletic events in the fall and winter seasons. Dance is sanctioned by the Wisconsin Association of Cheer and Pom Coaches (WACPC).

Director of Athletics Tim Williams stated, "After meeting with interest groups, assessing the viability of the team related to other team offerings, and examining our facilities capacity, we are very excited to announce that we will add dance to our athletic offerings for Upper School students in the 2026–27 school year."

Kessia Andersen, USM Middle School Spanish teacher, will serve as the head coach of the new dance team. Andersen is a classically trained ballet dancer who was a student at the Milwaukee Ballet School and apprenticed at the Miami City Ballet. She has been choreographing since high school and is ready to lead the new program. “I’m thrilled to showcase the amazing talent of our student dancers," Andersen said, "and add to the vibrant spirit of our school."

With the addition of dance, USM will now offer 27 varsity teams for the 2026–27 school year—15 girls’ teams and 12 boys’ teams.