Options Virtual Charter School
A New Kind of
ColLege Prep
Get a head start on college while in high school.
The Rising Phoenix Early College High School Program is an innovative collaboration between UW-Green Bay and Elkhorn Area School District: Options Virtual Charter School 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.
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.
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 the Elkhorn Area School District: Options Virtual Charter School.
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 or online.
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
Green Bay 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!
Upcoming Information Sessions
Virtual
Coming soon
Virtual
Coming soon
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.
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. Rising Phoenix is designed to support students traditionally underrepresented in higher education.
Students must meet the following requirements:
- Currently enrolled in 10th Grade at Elkhorn Area School District: Options Virtual Charter School OR a homeschooled 10th grader who will be enrolled with the school for the 2025-26 school year
- If you are homeschooled and would like to participate in this program opportunity through Options Virtual Charter School, please connect with the OVCS Success Coordinator, Becca Kunitomo at kunier@eklhorn.k12.wi.us or 262-723-1696.
- 3.0 GPA average or above will be encouraged, although not required
- Demonstration of academic excellence or college readiness
- Demonstrated engagement in online high school courses
- Recommendations by high school teachers and school counselors
- Expression of interest in an early college opportunity
Application Steps
Below are the steps students take towards admission into the Rising Phoenix Program. The application for the Class of 2027 will open up on January 13, 2025 and the priority application deadline is March 18, 2025. 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
Complete the application by clicking "apply now" below. An essay, student and parent/guardian expectations and FERPA forms are required.
See here for a list of the essay questions.
Teacher Recs
Teachers submit recommendations online by clicking the button below! Two recommendations are required, one in a core subject area (English/language arts, math, social studies, science).
Student Transcripts & Online Engagement Record
If you are currently enrolled with OVCS, your high school will provide these documents to UW-Green Bay. If you are currently homeschooled, please submit your high school transcript and attendance/engagement record, if available to risingphoenix@uwgb.edu
Admissions Timeline
The priority application deadline is March 18, 2025.*
* If space allows, we will accept applications on a rolling basis beyond this date.
Students are notified of admissions decisions by early April 2025.
Have Questions?
If you have questions please contact Aubrey Schramm, Executive Director, Early College Programs.