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 UW-Green Bay to provide high school students an opportunity to get a head start on college. Eligible students will be admitted to the GEAR UP Rising Phoenix Early College High School Program to be enrolled during their junior and senior years. Learn more at an upcoming Information Session.
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GEAR UP & UW-Green Bay
Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (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.
Partnership & Collaboration
UW-Green Bay is the higher education partner for the Wisconsin GEAR UP Grant. The collaboration allows for UW-Green Bay's Rising Phoenix opportunity to be made available for GEAR UP eligible students.
Para familias hispanohablantes
Vea una postal informativa sobre el programa aquí. Si tiene dudas, preguntas o si desea mas información en español, puede comunicarse con Nalani Bicoy, una de las instructoras para los estudiantes del programa, en bicoyn@uwgb.edu o (920) 360-0768.
Participating High Schools
Ashland High School
Bayfield High School
Green Bay Area Public Schools
- Green Bay Preble High School
- Green Bay East High School
- Green Bay Southwest High School
Milwaukee Public Schools
- Barack Obama High School
- Bradley Tech High School
- Hamilton High School
- Milwaukee High School of the Arts
- Riverside University High School
- South Division High School
- Washington High School of IT
Shawano Community High School
Sheboygan Area School District
- George D. Warriner High School
- Sheboygan North High School
- Sheboygan South High School
Wausau School District
- Wausau East High School
- Wausau West High School
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.
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 and UW-Green Bay.
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.
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.
RISING PHOENIX ORIENTATION
UW-Green Bay, Manitowoc Campus
Information Sessions
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. Join us!
Virtual Information Sessions
All GEAR UP Rising Phoenix Schools
These sessions will take place virtually via Zoom. A recording will be added to the website after the first session concludes.
- Wednesday, February 19
6-7 p.m. - Tuesday, March 4
6-7 p.m.
In Person Information Sessions
These sessions will take place in person at the designated high school.
Ashland High School
- Thursday, February 6
10-10:30 a.m.
Bayfield High School
- Wednesday, February 5
Green Bay Preble High School
- Thursday, January 23
2:17-3:08 p.m.
8th Hour AVID 2 - Monday, January 27
9:16-9:47 a.m.
During Advisory
Green Bay East High School
- Tuesday, January 28
Lunch 3A & 3B
10:32-11:17 a.m. & 11:48 a.m.-12:33 p.m.
Lunch Room - Tuesday, February 11
Lunch 3A & 3B
10:32-11:17 a.m. & 11:48 a.m.-12:33 p.m.
Lunch Room
Green Bay Southwest High School
- Thursday, February 13
9:16-9:47 a.m.
Room 4000 - Thursday, February 20th
9:52-10:40 am
3rd hour AVID class
MPS: Barack Obama High School
- Thursday, February 20
1:30-2:30 pm
MPS: Bradley Tech High School
- Tuesday, February 11
9-9:30 a.m.
MPS: Hamilton High School
- Monday, February 10
10-11 a.m.
Room 218N (CACC)
MPS: School of the Arts High School
- Thursday, February 20
9-9:45 a.m.
Library
MPS: Riverside University High School
- Thursday, February 20
11:00-11:30 am & 12:00-12:30 pm
MPS: South Division High School
- Thursday, February 13
1:30-2:15 p.m.
CACC
MPS: Washington High School of IT
- Thursday, February 13
10-11 a.m.
Shawano Community High School
- Tuesday, February 4
9:30-10:10 a.m.
Sheboygan North High School
- Tuesday, February 4
9:45-10:15 a.m.
Auditorium - Thursday, February 27
9:45-10:15 a.m.
Auditorium
Sheboygan South High School
- Friday, February 7
11:15 a.m.-12 p.m.
LGI Room
Sheboygan Warriner High School
- Wednesday, January 29
10-11 a.m.
Distance Education Room
Wausau East High School
- Monday, February 3
3-3:30 p.m.
Wausau West High School
- Tuesday, February 4
8-9 a.m. &
9:30-10:30 a.m.
Career Center
College Ready Students from Preble & East High Schools
- Wednesday, February 12
4-5 p.m.
Meeting will take place at Green Bay East High School during College Ready meeting
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. You can either continue with UW-Green Bay or transfer to another 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.
Cost Savings Info
The cost of the program will be covered by the GEAR UP Grant and UW-Green Bay. There no will be no cost to students, families or school districts.
| Estimated Cost Savings for Families | Estimated 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.
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 eligibility requirements listed on the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction's GEAR UP webpage
UW-Green Bay's 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 application for the Class of 2027 will open up on January 13, 2025 and the priority application deadline is March 18, 2025.
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). Note that the 3 steps don't need to be completed in the order they are listed. Once we receive any materials (application, teacher rec, and/or transcripts/attendance records), we will start an application file for you!
Student Application
Here is a preview of the application questions.
An essay and parent/guardian signatures are required within the online application, so please be sure to have a parent/guardian available when you are ready to complete the application.
See here for a list of the essay questions so you can prepare your responses before completing the application.
Teacher or School Counselor Recs
Two teacher or school counselor recommendations are required, one in a core subject area (English/language arts, math, social studies, science).
Students, please share the link below with the teachers or school counselors that you have asked to serve as a reference for you.
Student Transcripts & Attendance Record
Your school district will provide your high school transcript & attendance record upon submission of your application. The GEAR UP Rising Phoenix team will request these items on your behalf.
Admissions Timeline
The priority application deadline is March 18, 2025.*
150 students will be admitted statewide to the class of 2027 GEAR UP Rising Phoenix cohort.
*If space allows, we will accept applications on a rolling basis beyond this date. A waitlist may be established if capacity is reached. Priority admission to the Rising Phoenix program will go to those students who are already an active GEAR UP participant and meet Rising Phoenix admission requirements.
Students are notified of admissions decisions by early April 2025.
Highest Recognition
The UW System Board of Regents honored UW-Green Bay’s Early College Programs with an Academic Staff Excellence Award, recognizing service to the university. The award is the highest recognition bestowed on members of UW-System’s academic staff. Early College Programs advocate thinking creatively and strategically about student engagement and support to ensure retention and success. Rising Phoenix is one of the categories of Early College Programs.
Balancing Dreams
With Opportunity
For Steven Concepcion, achieving personal success has always been about finding the right equation—one that balances dreams with opportunity. He enrolled in the inaugural GEAR UP Rising Phoenix program in Fall 2021 to turbocharge his college journey.
Questions? Contact Us!
If you have any questions, please contact Sam Post, GEAR UP Rising Phoenix Program Manager. Call or text (920) 465-9025 or email gearup@uwgb.edu