WLHS Advantage Fall 2020 | Grade School Parent Publication
WLHS Records Largest Enrollment in 15 Years Highlights from:
• New teachers (pictured: Rev. Chris and Erin Koschnitzke) • St. Jacobi Lutheran School
Connect With Us!
Mr. Brad Wetzel (’98) and Mr. Mark Ricke love sharing WLHS with grade school parents and students. Mr. Brad Wetzel
Wetzel graduated from WLHS in 1998 and returned in 2006 to teach math, his favorite subject. In 2014, he became Director of Admissions and began working with families to share WLHS with them and their children. In 2019, Brad Wetzel, he earned his MBA in Director of Admissions Education Leadership from the MSOE Rader School of Business. In addition to his admissions work, you’ll see Wetzel in the classroom teaching trigonometry, on the football field serving as defensive coordinator and coaching the defensive line and on the baseball diamond coaching and leading the Jr. Viking baseball program. “I always encourage families to schedule a visit,” says Wetzel. “There’s a big difference between hearing about Wisco and seeing it for yourself. Many parents are surprised about the breadth of what we offer and quickly realize we can meet their child’s needs. I also like to talk to families in person and explain how our tuition assistance and scholarship programs can help make WLHS affordable for them.”
Mr. Mark Ricke
Mark Ricke, Director of Enrollment
Ricke, who has his Master’s of Arts in Religion, came to WLHS in 1998 to teach history and coach various sports. He joined Wetzel as Director of Enrollment in 2014 and this year is excited to teach two sections of exploratory wood/metals.
Ricke loves to visit area grade schools and share with students Jesus’ love for them.
This year, WLHS is welcoming its second largest freshman class in the past five years with nearly 235 students. Admissions Calendar Admission applications available at wlhs.org/admissions – October 1 Open House for 6th – 8th grade parents and students. Advance registration is required wlhs.org/openhouse – October 4 Scholarship applications available apply online at wlhs.org/scholarships – December 1-31 Tuition assistance applications available at wlhs.org/tuitionassistance – December 1-January 31 Milwaukee Parental Choice Program enrollment period, apply at dpi.wi.gov – February 1-20 Wisconsin Parental Choice Program enrollment period, apply at dpi.wi.gov – February 1–April 20
One of his favorite Bible verses is: “Bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Eph.6:4).
Contact Brad Wetzel (’98), director of admissions, at 414-453-4567 ext. 1322 or brad.wetzel@wlhs.org to discuss WLHS and ask any questions you may have. 2
WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL || Fall 2020
WPCP Delivers Possibilities for Families
For the Lenga family of five, the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP) made WLHS a reality for their children.
Financial Support: By the Numbers $725,000 – Provided in tuition assistance and
scholarships for the 2020-21 school year.
From $750-$6,000 – The range of tuition assistance families receive.
64% – Of tuition-paying families receive tuition
assistance or scholarships to help reduce their costs.
70+ – Annual scholarships, the majority are based on financial need.
Up to 28 – Students are selected each year The Lenga family
Sarah (Christensen, ’98) and her husband, Iver (’98), both attended Wisco and knew they wanted that Christ-centered education for their children. However, the cost of tuition was a significant obstacle. As they were enrolling their son, Peyton, they applied for both tuition assistance and the WPCP since they didn’t know if they would be accepted into the program. “We really gave it to God and he answered our prayers,” says Sarah. Peyton is now a junior and their daughter, Josephine, is entering her sophomore year. Sophia, currently a fourth grader at St. Jacobi Lutheran School, will join the Wisco family in a few years. Both of the Lenga children are busy high schoolers. Peyton is taking a number of AP classes, on Student Council and plays baseball. Josephine is a cheerleader, sings in the A Cappella choir and was busy making new friends her freshman year.
to receive the Dr. Walter H. Drost Honors scholarship, a four-year renewable award that covers half of the conference rate of tuition.
Wisconsin Parental Choice Program Student Breakdown 3%
13%
Asian
2%
American Indian Black/ African American
17%
Latino/ Hispanic
65%
Caucasian
“We’re thankful we found a way to send our children to Wisco,” says Sarah. “I’ve told so many people, if your finances are even close to the range, try and apply for the state program. It’s really a quick and easy process so there’s nothing to lose.”
WHERE SUCCESS MEANS MORE
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Meet Our New Teachers
This year, we’ve added nine talented professionals to our faculty and staff. Four Alums Return to WLHS
Mr. Joe Janke (‘08) English Instructor
Ms. Gina Radue (‘12) Math Instructor
My high school experience was filled with many great memories so it is difficult to choose just one. At the top of my list, though, is playing baseball at State three times. When I was at Wisco, I joked with Mr. Tatge that I was Joe Janke going to steal his job one day. I think God has a sense of humor because Mr. Tatge decided to retire and I received the call to, in part, replace him. The opportunity to teach and serve by sharing God’s love in a larger and more diverse school and community is the reason I returned.
Pastor Chris Koschnitzke (‘98) Theology and Latin Instructor My favorite WLHS memory is from senior year when we beat #1 ranked Catholic Memorial in football on their home field. Knowing the increasing Chris Koschnitzke challenges that teens are facing today, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, I decided to return to WLHS because of the tremendous opportunity that exists to have an impact – especially a spiritual and eternal impact – on the lives of today’s youth.
Gina Radue
My favorite WLHS memory is AP calculus with Mr. Gottschalk. The class was a lot of work but he always made it fun. I decided to return to WLHS because I had amazing math teachers during my high school years and I wanted to have that same impact on students.
Mr. Brad Reinhart (’07) Theology and Math Instructor My favorite memory is winning State football in 2004 and 2005. I decided to return because I am passionate about the ministry and mission of WLHS. I started coaching many years Brad Reinhart ago at WLHS because I wanted to help student athletes grow spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically – just like my coaches helped me when I was in high school. Now, as a teacher, I look forward to doing those same things in the classroom.
REJOICE in the Lord
Always!
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4) 2020-21 WLHS School Theme 4
WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL || Fall 2020
Mr. Ben Carlovsky Theology Instructor
Meet Our New Teachers
Carlovsky joins WLHS from Abiding Word Lutheran School in Houston where he was principal.
New Curriculum Offerings
WLHS has added more than a dozen new classes in the last three years.
2020 • Advanced Fitness
Ben Carlovsky
Mrs. Katie Chavez School Counselor Chavez joins WLHS from Bruce Guadalupe Community School in Milwaukee where she was a counselor.
• Advanced Fitness and Team Sports • Advanced Painting 2 • Entrepreneurship • Honors Biology • Honors Chemistry • Individual Fitness and Lifetime Activities • Musicianship through Percussion
Katie Chavez
Mrs. Erin Koschnitzke Physical Education and FACE Instructor Koschnitzke joins WLHS from Lakeside Lutheran High School in Lake Mills where she was a teacher and coach.
• Strength Training 2019 • Anatomy & Physiology • AP Computer & Science Principles • AP Macroeconomics • AP Microeconomics • Video Production
Erin Koschnitzke
Mr. Justin Liepert English Instructor Liepert joins WLHS from Winnebago Lutheran Academy in Fond du Lac where he was an English teacher and technology director.
2018 • Apologetics • AP Physics • AP Statistics • ProStart Culinary Program
Justin Liepert
Mr. Thomas “TJ” McBryde Social Studies Instructor and Dorm Supervisor McBryde is a 2020 graduate from the Teacher Education Program at Wisconsin Lutheran College. TJ McBryde
WHERE SUCCESS MEANS MORE
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Entrepreneurship Class Launches
This year, WLHS is debuting nine new classes, including entrepreneurship, honors biology, honors chemistry and advanced painting 2. Mrs. Shakirah Cousins, who majored in Finance & Marketing at Bethune-Cookman University, is leading three sections of the entrepreneurship class and two sections of marketing. Cousins joined WLHS in 2018 after teaching at schools in Florida and California. The one-semester entrepreneurship class will provide sophomores, juniors and seniors with the knowledge needed to realistically evaluate their potential as business owners.
Mrs. Shakirah Cousins leads the new entrepreneurship classes at WLHS
Hands-on Learning in the Business Department
Mr. Jason Goede
The business department is led by Mr. Jason Goede (’94) who has his master’s in Business and Marketing Education from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater.
“We’re going to explore the various steps of creating a business – from brainstorming a product or service to conducting market research to developing a business plan,” says Cousins. “I’m also bringing in a number of outside speakers who will share with students their real-life path to entrepreneurship.”
And, thanks to a generous donor, the past few years a group of WLHS business students have been able to attend Business World. The four-day camp at the University of Wisconsin— Madison is an immersive experience that exposes high schoolers to a variety of careers while learning about entrepreneurship, business ethics, financial literacy and the value of a free-market economy.
Goede has incorporated a number of hands-on learning opportunities into the business department. • • •
Business students operate the school store to get experience in marketing, bookkeeping, accounting and customer service. Each February, advanced accounting students assist their classmates in completing their federal and state tax returns. The annual Reality Store gives seniors a test run at setting and living within a budget while also juggling charitable giving with bill paying and life’s surprises.
In addition, the Lauretta Plautz Fund and ViTech Fund provide students a “real life opportunity” to learn more about the stock market and investing.
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WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL || Fall 2020
Seniors participate in the Reality Store
Where Success Means More
WLHS offers students a breadth of classes that range from ceramics to advanced accounting to construction skills. Jake Dziekan (‘17), who attended St. Jacobi Lutheran School, is a successful grad who used high school to explore a variety of paths. “At Wisco, I took a lot of different classes like literature, English, calculus and technical drafting,” says Dziekan. After graduating, Dziekan realized his career path was in the trades. He applied for and was accepted into an apprenticeship program with J.M. Brennan, a leading Milwaukee-area mechanical contractor. “In my job, I use the writing, math and technical skills I learned during high school. I have to write up detailed job orders and instructions. I have to read blueprints and make calculations,” says Dziekan. “I really feel like I got a jumpstart on my career because of the classes I was able to take at Wisco.”
Engineering & Technical Skills Classes • Introduction to Engineering • Principles of Engineering • Engineering Design & Development • Computer Science & Software Engineering • Digital Electronics • Technical Drafting • Exploratory Metals • Metals 2, 3 & Advanced • Exploratory Wood • Woods 2, 3 & Advanced • Construction Skills • Small Engines
Jake Dziekan (‘17) is currently a third year UA Local 601 Steam Fitter/Refrigeration Service Fitter apprentice, working on projects throughout Milwaukee.
“Our comprehensive curriculum allows students to investigate their God-given talents and discover what areas they’re interested in and what doesn’t appeal to them,” says James Hahm, trade and technology coordinator.
Stay connected to WLHS! WHERE SUCCESS MEANS MORE
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330 North Glenview Avenue Milwaukee WI 53213-3379
PLEASE REGISTER
WLHS OPEN HOUSE Sunday, October 4, 2020 Doors open at 5:45 p.m. Program begins at 6:00 p.m. In-person participants are limited to first 250 registered people.
Register at wlhs.org/openhouse