Two Rivers High School

Rising Phoenix text

Early College High School Program

 

A New Kind of College Prep

The Rising Phoenix Early College High School Program is an innovative collaboration between the Two Rivers Public School District and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay to provide high school students an opportunity to get a head start on college. A group of current sophomore students at Two Rivers High School will be admitted to the program and will enroll during their junior and senior years. Students will become dually enrolled in college credit courses at Two Rivers High School and UW-Green Bay, Manitowoc Campus. Students have the opportunity to earn their high school diploma and a two-year Associate of Arts and Sciences (AAS) degree. The cost of the program is covered by the Two Rivers Public School District and with no cost to families for a group of 10 students based on targeted admissions criteria. The cost of the program will be shared by the district and students and families for those who may fall outside of the targeted admissions criteria group. The program will also offer quality educational partnerships that will support student learning and growth in the Two Rivers community. The first cohort with Two Rivers High School started in Fall 2021.

Students walking along the lakeshore in Manitowoc
Positive Effects of Early College

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.

Information Sessions (February 2023)

Information sessions will be held for parents and students to learn more about the program. The goal is to help students and families understand how the program works, discuss the support available and share the benefits of the program to ensure that it is a fit for the student and their family. 

IN-PERSON Information Session (students only)
Date: Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Time: During ACP, 9:44am-10:31am
Location: Two Rivers High School

VIRTUAL Information Session (students and families)
Date: Thursday, February 23, 2023
Time: 5:00pm-6:00pm
Access Zoom recording 

Student Benefits
  • Every student will work individually and consistently with a Student Success Coach from UW-Green Bay and Career and College Readiness Coach from Two Rivers High School. The coaches will assist students throughout the program admissions process, advising, providing academic and social support and serving as a transition specialist upon graduation.
  • There will be no cost to students or families for a Target Admissions Group of 10 students. The cost of the program will be shared by the school district and students or families for those who meet the other criteria but may fall outside the Target Admissions Group.
  • Flexible class schedules will be developed in order to fit individual student needs. Students will be enrolled in dual credit courses both at Two Rivers High School and at UW-Green Bay, Manitowoc Campus. Students can also take elective classes at the high school (band choir, Spanish, etc.). Students will be able to participate in extra-curricular activities both at high school and on campus. 
  • Students will learn together as a cohort, supporting each other and sharing resources.
  • ​UW-Green Bay’s Student Accessibility Services will help students with a documented disability (IEP, 504), with academic accommodations.
  • Students will graduate with their High School Diploma and the opportunity to earn an Associate of Arts and Sciences Degree (60 credits), giving them a significant head start on their college degree.

About the 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.


Image of student outside Manitowoc

Timeline

Admissions process begins winter and rolls out with a cohort of Two Rivers High School juniors in fall through their projected graduation in spring two years later. Students apply as sophomores and are enrolled in the program as juniors and seniors.

Image of science lab experiment during COVID
Why 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.

Student Schedule Example

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

Legend: Purple = Two Rivers High School; Green = UW-Green Bay, Manitowoc Campus
 
Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
1st Hour
8-8:49 a.m.
COMM SC 198:
First Year Seminar
COMM SCI 198:
First Year Seminar
COMM SCI 198:
First Year Seminar
COMM SCI 198:
First Year Seminar
COMM SCI 198:
First Year Seminar
2nd Hour
8:53-9:42 a.m.
MATH 104:
Precalculus
MATH 104:
​Precalculus
MATH 104:
​Precalculus
MATH 104:
​Precalculus
MATH 104:
​Precalculus
           
12:45-2 p.m. ENG COMP 100:
First Year Writing
POL SCI 101:
American Government
& Politics
ENG COMP 100:
​First Year Writing
POL SCI 101:
American Government
& Politics
ENG COMP 100:
​First Year Writing
           
2:15-3:35 p.m. HUM BIOL 102:
Intro to Human 
Biology
  HUM BIOL 102:
Intro to Human 
​Biology
   

Image of Mishicot logoImage of UW-Green Bay, Manitowoc Campus logo

Cost Info

Targeted Admissions Criteria Group
Priority admission will go to a group of 10 students who meet academic readiness criteria and who are also first-generation college students and/or qualify for free or reduced lunch. For this Target Admissions Group the cost of the program will be covered by the Two Rivers Public School District with no cost to families.
 
Estimated Cost Savings for Families*
Per Semester (15 College Credits) $3,134 - $4,337
Completion of Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree
"60 College Credits)
$12,536 - $17,348
 

* Savings based on UW-Green Bay tuition rates.

Students Outside Targeted Admissions Criteria Group
Students who meet the academic readiness criteria but are not first-generation nor qualify for free or reduced lunch are also encouraged to apply with the responsibility for costs shared between the school district and families. Estimated cost for those students and families would be about $4,200 or about $1,000 a semester for the entire two-year program.
Estimated Cost Savings for Families*
Per Semester (15 College Credits) $2,034 - $3,287
Completion of Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree
"60 College Credits)
$8,336 - $13,148
 

* Savings based on UW-Green Bay tuition rates.

Application Process 

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 grit needed to succeed in college.

Priority admission for the Target Admissions Group will go to those who meet academic readiness and who are also first-generation college students (parents do not have a bachelor’s degree) and/or qualify for free or reduced lunch (demonstrate financial need). 10 students will be admitted to the Target Admissions Group.
 
Those who may meet the academic readiness criteria but not the criteria of being first generation and/or qualify for free or reduced lunch are still encouraged to apply as the program is open to all students. Students who do not fall into the Target Admissions Group will be responsible for sharing the cost of the program with the school district. (see cost section)

Admissions criteria may include:
  • 3.0 GPA average or above will be encouraged, although not required
  • First generation college students (parents do not have a bachelor's degree)
  • Free or reduced lunch eligibility (demonstrate financial need)
  • Demonstration of academic excellence or college readiness
  • School attendance
  • Recommendations by high school teachers and school counselors
  • Expression of interest in an early college opportunity

Ongoing Student Support

The Student Success Coach and school counselors will work with Rising Phoenix students to develop course schedules that allow them to fulfill the objectives of dual enrollment and also pursue their interests.

Students will have ongoing support every step of the way!

Students are encouraged to:

  1. Attend an information session or meet with your School Counselor to learn more about the program. 
  2. Complete the application for program admission.
  3. Upon admission, attend student welcome and registration.

Priority Application Deadline: March 15, 2023

Student Application
Complete online application by 11:59pm on Wednesday, March 15, 2023. 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. Essay 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. 
 
 Teacher Recommendations
Teachers submit recommendations online. Two recommendations are required, one in a core subject area (English/language arts math, social studies, science).
 
Student Transcript & Attendance Record
Email high school transcript and attendance record to risingphoenix@uwgb.edu. School counselor or district staff member provides documents to review committee.
 
Admissions

Students are notified of admissions decisions by early April 2023.

Questions?

Image of Kayla Boguski
Kayla Boguski
UW-Green Bay Rising Phoenix Student Success Coach
Tel. 920-366-8219
Email. risingphoenix@uwgb.edu
Image of Hleeda Vang
Hleeda Vang
UW-Green Bay Rising Phoenix Student Success Coach
Tel. 920-366-9683
Email. risingphoenix@uwgb.edu 
Lisa Klein
Two Rivers Career and College Readiness Coach
Tel. 920-793-2291 Ext. 6119
Email. lisa.klein@trschools.k12.wi.us