Homeschool Students
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 program 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. Students have two pathways to choose from to access the program; a self-pay pathway offered at a discounted tuition rate or they may enroll with Options Virtual Charter School and access the program at no cost.
Student Benefits
Many students and their families have questions about Rising Phoenix. Check out our FAQs for Students page for answers to our most common questions. 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 their homeschool administrator or school counselor. The success coach will provide academic and social-emotional support and advise on course selection, major/career exploration, and transition planning upon graduation.
No Cost &
Self-Pay Pathways
Self-Pay Pathway: Admissible students may access the degree opportunity at the discounted tuition rate of $200/credit through our Dual Enrollment Access Academy option (fully online) or in-person options at the regular tuition rate. Students will retain their homeschool status.
No Cost Pathway: Students may register with Options Virtual Charter School and participate in the program AT NO COST. All costs for the Rising Phoenix Program will be covered by the school district. In this case, students will no longer be considered homeschool students.
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 online and/or in-person at UW-Green Bay, pending proximity to a campus.
Learn Together
Students will learn and grow together by enrolling in similar classes and engaging in a 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.
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. In addition, the flexibility of the AAS degree allows students to focus on prerequisite and supporting coursework for their desired major/field of interest. Students are also able to jump right into the workforce with an AAS Degree.
Rising Phoenix Orientation
UW-Green Bay, Manitowoc Campus
Information SessionS
Students, parents/guardians, and homeschool network coordinators 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.
In-Person Information Session
Thursday, April 10, 2025
6:00-7:00pm
UW-Green Bay Campus University Union, 1965 Room (Campus Map & Union Map) 2430 Campus Court, Green Bay, WI 54311
Please REGISTER at this link, so we know how many guests will be in attendance. Guests may park in the Visitor Lot next to the Union or a neighboring lot. Registrants will receive a reminder for the event, along with parking information.
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 classified as a 10th Grader (15/16 years old at time of application)
- 3.0 GPA average or above will be encouraged, although not required
- Demonstration of academic excellence and college readiness
- Engagement in the homeschool educational journey
- Recommendations from professionals who can speak to the student's readiness for an early college high school program
- Expression of interest in an early college opportunity
required Application Steps
If you intend to transition to Options Virtual Charter School to access the Rising Phoenix Program at no cost, you will follow the steps outlined on the OVCS Rising Phoenix webpage at: https://www.uwgb.edu/rising-phoenix/options-virtual-charter-school/. The information sessions for OVCS can also be found on the webpage above.
If you would like to pursue the Rising Phoenix self-pay pathway, please follow the steps below to apply. The priority application deadline is March 18, 2025, however, this date is flexible for homeschool families. Note that the 3 steps don't need to be completed in the order they are listed. Once we receive any materials (application, recommendations, and/or transcripts/engagement 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 the list of essay questions.
Recommendations
Two recommendations are required from professionals who can speak to your academics and potential for success in this program. They may submit recommendations online by clicking the button below!
Student Transcripts & Engagement Record
Please submit your high school transcript and an attendance or school engagement record to risingphoenix@uwgb.edu
Virtual Information Sharing Interview
As part of the holistic admission review process, a virtual interview with a UW-Green Bay Rising Phoenix staff member may be scheduled with each applicant, to explain how the Rising Phoenix Program works, assess readiness for an early college high school opportunity, and to ensure the program is a good fit for the student. Please note, this is not a "formal" interview.
Cost Info
The cost will depend on the pathway the student chooses to pursue. UW-Green Bay will help provide families with cost estimates if students pursue the self-pay pathway. The Options Virtual Charter School Pathway is a no cost opportunity for the student.
Let's Talk Costs (or Cost Savings)!
Rising Phoenix students may take a variety of courses at a reduced tuition rate through UW-Green Bay in pursuit of the Associate of Arts and Sciences (AAS) Degree. Textbooks, student ID, college transcripts, and parking permit (if applicable) would be separate from the costs below.
| Course Type | Description | Per Credit Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Dual Enrollment Access Academy (Academy) | Online courses taught by UW-Green Bay instructors, open only to high school students. This would be the most affordable option for homeschool families that are not interested in enrolling with a school district. Course examples can be viewed at: https://www.uwgb.edu/dual-enrollment-access-academy/. This option will be a more prescriptive path, with less course options available each semester for each requirement. Students do not have to be in the Rising Phoenix Program to take Academy courses. | $200.00 per credit + textbook costs |
| Early College Credit Program (ECCP)* | This option is only available if a student is enrolled with a school district. State legislated program - Students take UW-Green Bay courses on campus or online with other college students. School may apply for a 25% reimbursement from the State if they are covering the costs. | $128.65 per credit + textbook costs *ECCP courses are part of the tuition plateau |
| College Credit in High School (CCIHS) | Concurrent Enrollment - Courses taught at a high school by high school teachers approved as UW-Green Bay instructors. Not available at all high schools. Not a likely option for homeschool families, unless they opt to enroll with a particular school district that offers CCIHS. | $110 per credit |
Regular Tuition | Homeschool students have the option to take classes available through UWGB's regular schedule of classes as well. These courses will be offered at the regular tuition rate for homeschool students and may be available in a variety of modalities, including on campus, online, and virtual classroom/hybrid. Course examples can be viewed at: https://sis.uwgb.edu/schedule/. | Regular tuition costs are outlined at: https://www.uwgb.edu/student-billing/tuition-fees/ *See the "Associate (2-Year) Tuition & Fees" table for cost details |
* Per state legislation, school districts cover a minimum of 18 ECCP credits per eligible student.
Projected Costs
The Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree requires a total of 60 credits. Students average 12-15 credits in fall and spring, 3 credits during January interim, and 3-6 credits in summer. Additional costs may include textbooks/course supplies, student ID, parking permit (only for Green Bay campus), and college transcripts. If a student pursues the Rising Phoenix Program via our online Dual Enrollment Access Academy at $200/credit, the cost for the program will be approximately $6000/year plus the cost of textbooks and course supplies, which typically range rom $600-800/year.
Need help?
Please contact Aubrey Schramm, Executive Director, Early College Programs, at schramma@uwgb.edu.