Rising Phoenix CONNECT

A New Kind of
College Prep

High school is the time to start college.

The Rising Phoenix Early College High School Program is an innovative collaboration between Green Bay Area Public Schools, specifically GBAPS undocumented students and/or students enrolled at John Dewey Learning Academy (JDAL), CONNECT, powered by American Family Insurance and UW-Green Bay to provide promising high school students an opportunity to get a head start on college by earning their high school diploma and a two-year Associate of Arts and Sciences (AAS) degree.

Rising Phoenix student sitting at a table smiling

Opportunity

A group of promising sophomore students will be admitted and will enroll during their junior and senior years. Students will become dually enrolled in college credit courses at their high school and UW-Green Bay, Green Bay campus or online at a discounted rate to students.

Positive Effects

Research shows that students who enroll in early college or dual credit have improved postsecondary persistence and a higher rate of degree or credential completion.

College-Ready Matters

The skills and knowledge students need to be admitted to college are the same ones they need to succeed at a job. Being college-ready means students are ready to do well in a four-year university, a two-year college, an apprenticeship or a job.

Information
Sessions

Join us for an In-Person session.

Parents and students are invited to an in-person meeting at John Dewey Learning Academy to learn more about how the program works, discuss the support available and share the benefits to ensure that it is a fit.

Thursday, March 16, 10:30 a.m.

Student Benefits

Student Success Coach

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

No Cost

Cost is fully covered by CONNECT.

Flexible Classes

Flexible class schedules will be developed in order to fit individual student needs. Students will be enrolled in college courses at their high school and online through the UW-Green Bay, Green Bay Campus. They can also take elective classes (band, choir, Spanish, etc.) and participate in extra-curricular activities at the high school.

Learn Together

Students will learn together as a cohort, supporting each other and sharing resources.

Accessible

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

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.

Eligibility Criteria

Students apply as sophomores and are enrolled in the program as juniors and seniors.

UW-Green Bay will facilitate a holistic admissions process, assessing students individually based on academic and personal backgrounds. We are looking for students who have shown the maturity, academic readiness, and a genuine desire to succeed in college.

Students must meet the following requirements:

Currently enrolled in 10th Grade at a Green Bay Area Public School
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
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 the GPA will be critical.
Strong high school attendance record
Desire to go to college

Application Steps

1. Submit Student Application

Complete online application. Short answer responses and student and parent/guardian expectations and FERPA forms are required. We recommend preparing your responses to the essay questions prior to starting the online form. Questions include:

Why are you interested in participating in the Rising Phoenix Early College High School Program?
Describe a time when you overcame a serious challenge. Explain the details of the situation and how you handled things and worked through things.
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. *** See example responses if you need some help with where to start.

Complete Online Application

2. Request Teacher Recommendations

Teachers submit the recommendation form online. Two recommendations are required, one in a core subject area (English/language arts, math, social studies, science).

3. Email Student Transcripts & Attendance Record

Email high school transcript and attendance record to risingphoenix@uwgb.edu. School counselor or district staff member provides documents to review committee.

4. Admissions

Students are notified of admissions decisions by early May 2023 (or after if space is available).

Priority Application Date: March 28, 2023

*With rolling admissions after, if space is available

Example Student Schedule

A student's schedule may include a manageable blend of classes at the high school, on a UW-Green Bay campus location or online.

Time	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
AM Time Block	Worktime for Online UW-Green Bay Courses 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 2	Algebra 2	Algebra 2	Algebra 2	Algebra 2
3rd Hour 10:30-11:30 a.m.	Band	Band	Band	Band	Band
PM Time Block	Worktime for Online UW-Green Bay Courses WF 100: First Year Writing \| NUT SCI 242: Food & Nutritional Health \| ANTHRO 100: Varieties of World Culture

Request a Consultation

Visit with Aubrey Schramm to learn how you can create and rollout your own Rising Phoenix Early College High School Program.

Contact Aubrey