Rising Phoenix Rural High Schools
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 select rural high schools within the university's 16-county footprint 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.
Participating School Districts
The school districts participating in this program include:
- Bonduel
- Crandon
- Gibraltar
- Laona
- Northland Pines
- Reedsville
- Shiocton
- Tigerton
- Wabeno
- Sturgeon Bay
- Suring
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
There will be no cost for a target group of students who meet eligibility criteria. Funding will be shared between the school district and the foundation.
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 and participating in an optional peer mentor program.
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
Join us for a Zoom or 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. We are offering both virtual and in-person options. Join us!
Information Sessions
Information Session Recording - All Schools
All Schools
Coming soon
All Schools
Coming soon
All Schools
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 a high school listed in a participating school district
- 3.0 GPA average or above will be encouraged, although not required
- Demonstration of academic excellence or college readiness
- School attendance
- 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 and enrollment into the Rising Phoenix Program.
The Rising Phoenix application is now open.
The priority application deadline is March 20, 2024.
1. Student Application
Complete the online application by clicking the "apply now" button below! An essay and student and parent/guardian expectations and FERPA forms are required.
We recommend preparing your essay before completing the application.
Please address all 3 of these prompts within your essay (1-1/2-3 pages in length, double spaced):
- Why are you interested in participating in the Rising Phoenix Early College High School Program?
- Tell your story about a time when you overcame a significant or personal challenge. Explain the details of the situation and how you handled and worked through things, as well as what you learned from the experience.
- As a Rising Phoenix student, you will take college-level coursework at your high school, online, and/or on one of the UW-Green Bay campuses in Green Bay, Manitowoc, Marinette, or Sheboygan. How will you utilize social and academic resources and support during your journey? Please be specific. If you need some help with where to start, see example responses.
2. Teacher Recommendations
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).
3. Student Transcripts & Attendance Record
Email high school transcript and attendance record to risingphoenix@uwgb.edu. School counselor or district staff member provides documents to review committee.
4. Admissions
The priority application deadline is March 20, 2024.*
* If space allows, we will accept applications on a rolling basis beyond this date.
Students are notified of admissions decisions by early April 2024.
Example Student Schedule
A student's schedule may include a manageable blend of classes at the high school, on a UW-Green Bay campus location or online.
| Time | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AM Time Block | Work time for Online UW-Green Bay Courses WF 100: First Year Writing | NUT SCI 242: Food & Nutritional Health | ANTHRO 100: Varieties of World Culture | ||||
| 2nd Hour 9:15-10:15 a.m. | Algebra 2 | Algebra 2 | Algebra 2 | Algebra 2 | Algebra 2 |
| 3rd Hour 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Band | Band | Band | Band | Band |
| PM Time Block | Work time for Online UW-Green Bay Courses WF 100: First Year Writing | NUT SCI 242: Food & Nutritional Health | ANTHRO 100: Varieties of World Culture | ||||
Have Questions?
Email either of our UW-Green Bay Student Success Coaches at risingphoenix@uwgb.edu or call a success coach by designated area.
Kayla Boguski
Areas: Bonduel, Crandon, Laona, Northland Pines, Shiocton, Tigerton, Wabeno
(920) 366-8219
Alyssa Simonar
Areas: Gibraltar, Reedsville
(920) 360-0193