Rising Phoenix Manitowoc Public School District
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 Manitowoc Public School District 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 &
Self-Pay Pathways
No Cost Pathway: Rising Phoenix is designed to support students traditionally underrepresented in higher education and the district will fund 30 such students in the Class of 2027 cohort. Self-Pay Pathway: Additional admissible students will be offered an opportunity to participate in the program at a discounted tuition rate, beyond the 18 ECCP credits the school district covers.
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 in-person at UW-Green Bay, Manitowoc Campus, at their high school, and/or online.
Learn Together
Students will learn and grow together by enrolling in classes on the UW-Green Bay Manitowoc Campus 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.
Rising Phoenix Orientation
UW-Green Bay, Manitowoc Campus
Information Sessions
Join us for an in-person session.
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.
* View Recording
In Person Information Sessions
These sessions will take place in person at the designated location listed.
Manitowoc Lincoln High School
- Tuesday, February 4th
WIN Period
High School Library View Recording
UW-Green Bay, Manitowoc Campus
- Wednesday, February 5th
6:00 pm
University Theatre
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; the district has committed to funding 30 such students in the Class of 2027 cohort. All other admissible students will be offered an opportunity to participate in the program at a discounted tuition rate.
Students must meet the following requirements:
- Currently enrolled in 10th Grade at Manitowoc Lincoln High School or McKinley Academy
- 3.0 cumulative GPA or above encouraged, however, if student has a 2.75-2.99 GPA, they will also be considered. Ensure essay and teacher/counselor recommendations address GPA.
- Demonstration of academic excellence or college readiness
- School attendance
- Recommendations from high school teachers and school counselors
- Expression of interest in an early college opportunity
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.
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 a list of the essay questions.
Teacher Recs
Two teacher 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 that you have asked to serve as a reference for you.
Student Transcripts & Attendance Record
Your high school will provide these documents to UW-Green Bay. Connect with your school counselor to see how your school handles this step.
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?
Contact UW-Green Bay Student Success Coach Becky Lahti at (920) 366-3954 or lahtir@uwgb.edu