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GEAR UP Rising Phoenix

A New Kind of
College Prep

Get a head start on college while in high school at no cost.

The GEAR UP Rising Phoenix Early College High School Program is a collaboration between GEAR UP Target School Districts, Department of Public Instruction's (DPI) Wisconsin Educational Opportunity Program (WEOP) and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay to provide high school students an opportunity to get a head start on college. Eligible students will be admitted to the Rising Phoenix Early College High School Program to be enrolled during their junior and senior years.

Jump to Application steps

Rising Phoenix graduate outside
Wisconsin GEAR UP with graduation cap and arrow

Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP)

GEAR UP assists low-income, first-generation and/or traditionally underrepresented students in obtaining a high school diploma and preparing for and succeeding in postsecondary education. Learn more about GEAR UP.

Participating Schools

Students must meet GEAR UP and Rising Phoenix Program admissions requirements to enroll. The program will also offer educational opportunities and services through DPI WEOP and UW-Green Bay’s GEAR UP programming that will support student learning, growth and preparation for post-secondary success.

Ashland High School

Bayfield High School

Shawano Community High School

Green Bay Area Public Schools

  • Green Bay Preble High School
  • Green Bay East High School
  • Green Bay Southwest High School

Wausau School District

  • Wausau East High School
  • Wausau West High School

Sheboygan Area School District

  • George D. Warriner High School
  • Sheboygan North High School
  • Sheboygan South High School

Milwaukee Public Schools

  • Barack Obama School of Career and Technical Education
  • Bradley Tech High School
  • Hamilton High School
  • Milwaukee School of Arts
  • Riverside University High School
  • South Division High School
  • Washington High School of Information Technology

Student Benefits

Many students and their families have questions about Rising Phoenix. We share the answers to the most common questions we receive. Check out our FAQs for Students page. If you need to share this information in Spanish or another language, please use Google Translate.

Support

Students will work consistently with a Student Success Coach, school counselor and DPI education specialist. They will provide academic and social-emotional support and advise on course selection, major/career exploration, and transition planning upon graduation.

No Cost

There will be no cost to students, families or district as the cost is covered by the Wisconsin GEAR UP Grant.

Flexible Schedules

Flexible class schedules will be developed in order to fit individual student needs, allowing for students to continue to engage in extra-curricular activities. Students will be enrolled in college courses at their high school, online and/or in-person at UW-Green Bay, pending proximity to a campus.

Learn Together

Students will learn and grow together, such as enrolling in the same First Year Seminar course and participating in an optional peer mentor program.

Accessible

UW-Green Bay’s Accessibility Services Office will help students with a documented disability (IEP, 504), with academic accommodations.

Concurrent Graduation

Through the program, students will concurrently fulfill their high school graduation requirements and UW-Green Bay’s Associate of Arts and Sciences degree requirements at the same time.

students talking during an information session
RISING PHOENIX ORIENTATION

Green Bay Campus

Information Sessions

Join us for a Zoom or in-person session.

Students, parents/guardians and school staff are invited to learn more about how the program works and discuss the program’s benefits to determine if it is a fit for the student. We are offering both virtual and in-person options. Join us!

view recording

Upcoming Information Sessions

Virtual

Thursday, February 22
6-7 p.m.

Zoom Link

Virtual

Wednesday, March 6
6-7 p.m.

Zoom Link

George D. Warriner High School

Monday, January 22
11:52 a.m.-12:52 p.m.
In-Person

MPS Hamilton High School

Tuesday, January 23
1:45-2:45 p.m.
In-Person

Sheboygan North High School

Tuesday, January 23 &
Tuesday, January 30
9:45-10:15 a.m.
In-Person

Green Bay Preble High School

Tuesday, January 30
7:30-8:18 a.m.
In-Person

Ashland High School

Wednesday, January 31
8:15-9 a.m. 
In-Person

Bayfield High School

Thursday, February 1
8:25-9:22 & 10:14-11:22 a.m.
In-Person

Wausau East High School

Thursday, February 1
2:35-3 p.m.
In-Person

Wausau West High School

Thursday, February 1
12-1 p.m.
In-Person

MPS Bradley Tech High School

Wednesday, February 7
9-10 a.m.
In-Person

Milwaukee School of the Arts

Wednesday, February 7
2-3 p.m.
In-Person

MPS Riverside High School

Wednesday, February 7
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
In-Person

Shawano High School

Tuesday, February 13
9:30-10:10 a.m.
In-Person

Sheboygan South High School

Wednesday, February 21
10:45-11:30 a.m.
In-Person

Green Bay Southwest High School

Thursday, February 22
9:16-9:42 a.m.
In-Person

MPS South Division High School

Wednesday, February 28
10-11 a.m.
In-Person

MPS Barack Obama High School 

Wednesday, February 28
12:30 pm
In-Person

Green Bay East High School

Wednesday, March 6
Lunch A: 10:27 a.m. & 
Lunch B: 11:43 a.m.
In-Person

About the AAS Degree

An Associate of Arts and Sciences (AAS) Degree requires students to complete 60 college credits that include general education courses and an area of emphasis. With an AAS degree, you have essentially completed the first two years of a bachelor’s degree! You can either continue with UW-Green Bay or transfer to another 4-year college or university where your general education requirements will likely be completed. Students are also able to jump right into the workforce with an AAS degree. Learn more about the AAS Degree.

Cost Savings Info

The cost of the program will be covered by the GEAR UP Grant. There no will be no cost to students, families or school districts.

Estimated Cost SAVINGS for FamiliesEstimated Value*
Per Semester
(15 College Credits)
Up to $4,337
Completion of Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree
(60 College Credits)
Up to $17,348

* Savings based on UW-Green Bay tuition rates.

Example Student Schedules

A student’s schedule may include a manageable blend of classes at the high school and online or on a UW-Green Bay Campus, pending proximity.

Online Schedule

Time>MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursday>Friday
AM Time BlockWorktime for Online UW-Green Bay Courses
COMM SCI 198: First Year Seminar | WF 100: First Year Writing | NUT SCI 242: Food & Nutritional Health
ANTHRO 100: Varieties of World Culture
2nd Hour
9:15-10:15 a.m.
Algebra 2Algebra 2Algebra 2Algebra 2Algebra 2
3rd Hour
10:30-11:30 a.m.
BandBandBandBandBand
PM Time BlockWorktime for Online UW-Green Bay Courses
 COMM SCI 198: First Year Seminar | WF 100: First Year Writing | NUT SCI 242: Food & Nutritional Health
ANTHRO 100: Varieties of World Culture
After SchoolBasketball
Practice
Basketball
Practice
Basketball
Practice
Basketball
Practice
Basketball
Practice

On Campus Schedule

TimeMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday
8 a.m. 




8:30 a.m.
Math 101: Advanced Algebra
8:25-9:20 a.m.
Success Coach Check-In
8:30-9:15 a.m.
Math 101: Advanced Algebra
8:25-9:20 a.m.

9 a.m.


9:30 a.m.
Human Biol 102: Intro to Human
Biology 9:30-10:50 a.m.

Human Biol 102: Intro to Human
Biology 9:30-10:50 a.m.

10 a.m.


10:30 a.m.Writing Foundations 100: First Year Writing10:35-11:30 a.m.Writing Foundations 100: First Year Writing 10:35-11:30 a.m.
11 a.m.
11:30 a.m.


12 p.m.




12:30 p.m.Comm Sci 198: First Year Seminar
12:45-1:40 p.m.
Pol Sci 101: American Government
& Politics 12:30-1:50 p.m.
Comm Sci 198: First Year Seminar
12:45-1:40 p.m.
12:45-1:40 p.m.
Pol Sci 101: American Government
& Politics 12:30-1:50 p.m.

1 p.m.
1:30 p.m.
2 p.m.




2:30 p.m.




3 p.m.Band 2:45-3:30 p.m.Band 2:45-3:30 p.m.Band 2:45-3:30 p.m.Band 2:45-3:30 p.mBand 2:45-3:30 p.m.
3:30 p.m.

Eligibility Requirements

Students must first meet GEAR UP eligibility requirements and then meet our Rising Phoenix admission criteria.

GEAR UP eligibility requirements:

  • Currently enrolled in 10th Grade in a GEAR UP target high school  
  • At least ONE of the following:    
    • First generation college student (parents/guardians do not have a bachelor's degree)
    • Eligible for free or reduced meals in school
    • Racial or ethnic minority
    • English language learner
    • Student with disability
  • Must be a United States citizen or national, permanent resident of the United States, or be able to provide documentation from U.S. Immigration of their intent to become a permanent resident

Rising Phoenix admissions criteria:

  • 3.0 cumulative GPA or above
    • If student has a 2.75-2.99 GPA, they may be considered; essay responses addressing the GPA and teacher recommendations speaking to GPA will be critical.
  • Strong high school attendance record
  • Desire to go to college

Application Steps

The GEAR UP Rising Phoenix application serves as a dual application to both the GEAR UP Precollege Program AND to UW-Green Bay's Rising Phoenix Program (if you are not already a GEAR UP student). 

Below are the steps students take towards admission and enrollment into the GEAR UP Rising Phoenix Program. 

The GEAR UP Rising Phoenix application is now open. 

The priority application deadline is March 20, 2024.

1. Student Application

Complete online application at the link below. 
Please note: Parent/guardian signatures and an essay are required within the application; therefore, we recommend preparing your essay responses prior to starting the online application AND ensuring your parent/guardian is available to sign your application.

Apply Now

Please address all 3 of these prompts within your essay (1.5-3 pages, double spaced): 
  • Why are you interested in participating in the Rising Phoenix Early College High School Program?
  • Tell your story about a time when you overcame a significant or personal challenge. Explain the details of the situation and how you handled and work through things, as well as what you learned from the experience.
  • As a Rising Phoenix student, you will take college-level coursework at your high school, online, and/or on one of the UW-Green Bay campuses in Green Bay, Manitowoc, Marinette, or Sheboygan. How will you utilize social and academic resources and support during your journey? Please be specific.
2. Teacher Recommendations

Teachers and/or school counselors submit recommendations online. Two recommendations are required, one in a core subject area (English/language arts, math, social studies, science).

Teacher Recommendation

3. Student Transcripts & Attendance Record
  • Green Bay Area Public School and Sheboygan Area School District students: Your school district will provide your high school transcript & attendance record upon submission of your application. No need to request these items from your high school. 
  • All other school district students: Student, school district staff, or education specialist can provide high school transcript & attendance record. These items can be emailed to gearup@uwgb.edu or uploaded within the online application.
4. Admissions Timeline
The priority application deadline is March 20, 2024*

* If space allows, we will accept applications on a rolling basis beyond this date.
Students are notified of admissions decisions by early April 2024. 
Admitted students will begin the program in Fall 2024 through their projected graduation in Spring 2026. Students apply as sophomores and are enrolled in the program as juniors and seniors.

Chelberg quadruplets

Full (Rising Phoenix)
House

In the mythical realm, a phoenix is a singular entity, but the Chelberg family has redefined this concept, producing not one but four Rising Phoenixes—quadruplets Andon, Connor, Grace, and Will. 

Andon, Connor, Grace & Will Chelberg
Rising Phoenix Early College High School Program

Read Their Story

Aubrey Schramm

Questions? Contact Us!

If you have any questions about UW-Green Bay’s GEAR UP Rising Phoenix Program, please contact Aubrey Schramm, Executive Director, Early College Programs. Call or text (920) 412-6649 or email gearup@uwgb.edu

Email Us