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.
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.
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GEAR UP &
UW-Green Bay
Partnership and Collaboration
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. Learn more about GEAR UP
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. Jump to eligibility requirements
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
- Specific high schools to be updated soon
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
In Person Information Sessions
These sessions will take place in person at the designated high school.
Ashland High School
- Tuesday, February 6th
10:00-10:30 am
Bayfield High School
- Wednesday, February 5th
Time TBD
Green Bay Preble High School
Coming soon!
Green Bay East High School
Coming soon!
Green Bay Southwest High School
- Thursday, February 13th
9:16-9:47 am
Room 4000
Shawano Community High School
Coming soon!
Sheboygan Warriner High School
- Wednesday, January 29th
10:00-11:00 am
Distance Education Room
Sheboygan North High School
- Tuesday, February 4th
9:45-10:15 am
Auditorium - Thursday, February 27th
9:45-10:15 am
Auditorium
Sheboygan South High School
- Friday, February 7th
11:15 am-12:00 pm
LGI Room
Wausau East High School
- Monday, February 3rd
3:00:-3:30 pm
Wausau West High School
- Tuesday, February 4th
8:00-9:00 am &
9:30-10:30 am
Career Center
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 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: For information about UW-Green Bay’s accessibility services and documentation requirements, please visit the Student Accessibility Services website.
- 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
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
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
- Green Bay Area Public School & Sheboygan Area School District students: Your school district will provide your high school transcript & attendance record upon submission of your application.
- All other school district students: Student, school district staff, or education specialist can provide high school transcript and attendance record. These items can be emailed to gearup@uwgb.edu or uploaded within the online application.
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