2024 Fall Advantage

WLHS Advantage Fall 2024 | Grade School Parent Publication

Meet Our New Principal Mr. Zacharyasz

Welcome to WLHS!

To schedule a visit to WLHS, contact Brad Wetzel (’98), director of admissions, at 414-453-4567 ext. 1322 or brad.wetzel@wlhs.org

WLHS Admissions Team: Admissions Counselors Mr. Brian Gottschalk (‘96) and Mrs. Meg (Raddant) Schuessler (‘97), and Director of Admissions Mr. Brad Wetzel (‘98) This school year, WLHS has a lot of news to share – a new principal (see page 2), new daily schedule (read the next issue) and more career and college offerings through the expanded Student Services department (see page 7).

While the high school has implemented a number of changes, two pillars remain constant – its commitment to God’s word and its focus on student success.

“Our confessional Lutheran principals are the foundation of everything we do at Wisco. God’s word is embedded in our school culture. It’s part of our classes and co-curriculars,” says Mr. Brad Wetzel (’98), director of admissions. “We work in partnership to serve the students and families of our 49 WELS congregations and 28 grade schools to prepare young men and women for productive, Christcentered lives in a diverse world.”

84%

of this year’s freshman class are from WELS grade schools

Carpool Assistance To help parents with driving to and from school, WLHS offers the GoKid carpool app.

Parents can connect with other families who are nearby to set up and manage carpools. The app integrates with calendars and sends helpful pick up or drop off reminders.

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WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL || Fall 2024

Admissions Calendar Admission applications available at wlhs.org/admissions – October 15 Scholarship applications available at wlhs.org/scholarships – December 1-31 Tuition assistance applications available at wlhs.org/tuitionassistance – December 1-31 Milwaukee Parental Choice Program enrollment period, apply at dpi.wi.gov – February 3-20 Wisconsin Parental Choice Program enrollment period, apply at dpi.wi.gov – February 3 – April 17

Meet Principal Landon Zacharyasz

This July, Mr. Landon Zacharyasz joined WLHS as the school’s sixth principal.

and is currently working on his Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Educational Leadership from the Milwaukee School of Engineering – Rader School of Business.

“The students, parents, and supporters I have met absolutely love Wisco. The enthusiasm so many have for this ministry is impressive, and I’m excited to be a part of it.”

— Mr. Landon Zacharyasz, principal of WLHS

Principal Zacharyasz Primer The Zacharyasz Family

• Pronounced Za-kuh-rye-is (“s” sound, not “z”)

Mr. Zacharyasz, along with his wife and four children, moved from Appleton and together the family has been getting to know the area and Wisco

• Students have quickly started coming up with their own titles, including Mr. Z and Mr. Zach

Since arriving at WLHS, Mr. Zacharyasz, who is energetic and loves establishing relationships, has been impressed.

• The Zacharyasz family worships at Star of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, New Berlin, and the children attend the grade school

“One of the things I immediately noticed was the passion that WLHS teachers have for the ministry.

Their dedication to teaching students and helping them grow in their academic and spiritual lives is abundantly clear,” says Zacharyasz.

Prior to WLHS, Zacharyasz served and led at Mount Olive Lutheran School in Appleton for thirteen years and also served as the Fox Valley Lutheran Schools president for six years. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Martin Luther College (MLC)

• Zacharyasz enjoys family time, road trips, and grilling • One of his favorite Bible verses is Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

WHERE SUCCESS MEANS MORE

3

Wisconsin WisconsinLutheran LutheranHigh HighSchool School 2023-24 2023-24 Report Report Card Card

WLHS Report Card

ACT ACT

28.8 28.8

Advanced Advanced Placement Placement Success Success of seniors participated participated 40% least 40% ininofatatseniors leastone oneAP APclass class

71.5% 71.5% State State

Worldwide Worldwide

88% 88%

WLHS WLHSstudents studentsscored scored 33or higher or higher(on (onaascale scale of of1-5) 1-5)on on325 325AP APexams exams for foraatotal totalof of975 975college college credit creditsavings savings

14

students studentson on mission missiontrips trips

WLHS’ WLHS’best bestscores, scores,as asreported reportedto to colleges, colleges,show showthe thetop top75 75percent percent of ofseniors seniorsaveraged averaged23.5 23.5 (74th (74thpercentile) percentile)on onthe theACT. ACT. Achieving Achievingat atthe the74th 74thpercentile percentile means meansaastudent studentscored scoredin inthe thetop top third thirdof ofall allstudents studentsnationwide. nationwide.

66.3% 66.3%

113

mission missiontrips trips inin2024 2024

WLHS WLHS an an8% 8% increase increase from from last last year year

$633,750 $633,750

international international trips trips

domestic domestic trips trips

66

88

Academic Academic Achievements Achievements

100% 100%

Course CourseOfferings Offerings

Second Secondlargest largestenrollment enrollment since since2000-2001 2000-2001

924 149 4

Supporting SupportingAll AllStudents Students

Pass Passrate rate by byWLHS WLHS students studentson on

77 AP AP exams exams

(with (withaascore scoreof of33or orhigher) higher)

Milwaukee Milwaukee All All In In Scholarship Scholarship

33

potential potentialsavings savings

2023-24 2023-24 Official OfficialEnrollment Enrollment

Wisco Wisco Witnesses Witnesses in in the the World World

Wisco WiscoWitnesses Witnessesininthe theWorld Worldisisaaservice-minded service-minded group. group.Students Studentshave havethe theopportunity opportunityto topractice practice the thelessons lessonsthey theylearn learnevery everyday dayininschool, school, including includingsharing sharingthe thelove loveof ofJesus Jesusthrough through outreach outreachand andcommunity communityservice serviceactivities. activities.

299 299students studentsparticipated participatedin inthis thisgroup group throughout throughoutthe theyear. year.

WLHS Top Top 25% 25% WLHS

WLHS Top Top 50% 50% WLHS

23.5 23.5

WLHS Top Top 75% 75% WLHS

State State

District District

15.8 15.8

WLHS All All Students Students WLHS

19.4 19.4

21.3 21.3

25.9 25.9

wlhs.org wlhs.org

Co-curriculars, Co-curriculars, Clubs, Clubs,or orStudent Student Activities Activities

WLHS WLHSstudents students who whoreceived receivedthis this prestigious prestigiousscholarship scholarship for forhigh highpotential, potential, limited limitedincome, income, diverse diversestudents students ininMilwaukee Milwaukee

Faculty Facultyand andStaff Staff Who WhoAre AreAlumni Alumni of ofWLHS WLHS

Students Studentsentering enteringWLHS WLHSbelow belowgrade grade level levelin inmath mathand andlanguage languagearts artsdoubled doubled their theirprojected projectedyearly yearlyacademic academicgrowth, growth, based basedon ontheir theirinitial initialscore. score.

From FromMeasures Measuresof ofAcademic AcademicProgress Progress(MAP) (MAP)stanstandardized dardizedtesting. testing.

Math Math

Projected Projected Growth Growth Actual Actual Growth Growth

3.6 3.6

00

11

22

Exceeded Exceedednationwide nationwidenorm normby by94% 94% 7.0 7.0

00

11

22

33

44

55

66

77

Reading/Language Reading/LanguageArts Arts Projected Projected Growth Growth Actual Actual Growth Growth

2.6 2.6

00

11

22

33

00

11

22

33

Exceeded Exceedednationwide nationwidenorm normby by131% 131% 6.0 6.0

Faculty FacultyWho WhoHold Holdor or Are AreWorking WorkingToward Toward an anAdvanced AdvancedDegree Degree

60+ 43% 64%

WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL || Fall 2024

33

44

55

66

Average Average Class ClassSize Size

20

2023-24 Report Report Card Card 2023-24

WisconsinLutheran Lutheran High High School School www.wlhs.org www.wlhs.org Wisconsin MultiethnicDiversity Diversity Multiethnic

Fine Arts Arts Excellence Excellence Fine

WisconsinSchool SchoolMusic MusicAssociation Association Wisconsin (WSMA)isisaaleader leaderin inchallenging challenging youth youth (WSMA) to achieve music excellence to achieve music excellence

101

Athletic Accomplishments Accomplishments Athletic

10

WSMA Medals Medals WSMA

88

Exemplary Exemplary nominations nominations

Exemplary Exemplary awards awards

44

Jerry Awards Awards recognizes recognizes excellence excellence Jerry in high high school school musical musical theater theater in

0.3% American AmericanIndian/ Indian/ 0.3% Alaskan Native Alaskan Native 9.2% Asian 9.2% Asian 27.7% Black/African Black/African 27.7% American American 12.7% Latino/Hispanic 12.7% Latino/Hispanic

18 18

5

Nominations Nominations

Wins Wins

Conference Conference Championships Championships the most since joining the the most since joining the Woodland Conference Woodland Conference

5

Regional Regional Championships Championships

1

Sectional Sectional Championship Championship

1

State State Championship Championship Boys Basketball Boys Basketball 30-0 record 30-0 record

College Acceptance Acceptance Highlights Highlights College

5.4% Two Twoor orMore More 5.4% 44.7% White White 44.7%

Embracingthe theGreat Great Commission Commission Embracing

In2023-24 2023-24WLHS WLHShad hadthe thelargest largestever everinternational international In graduating class of 29 students, with two of these these graduating class of 29 students, with two of students in the Academic Top 10.

As our international students in the Academic Top 10. As our international graduates move move on on to to universities universities and and colleges, colleges, graduates they will will be be our our ambassadors ambassadorsin infive fivecountries countries outside outside they the U.S. and fourteen different states within the U.S. the U.S. and fourteen different states within the U.S.

68

International International students students in2022-23 2022-23 in

17

Differentcountries countries Different inthe theresidential residential in program program

29

International International students students in the the 2023 2023 in graduating class graduating class

ACT Perfection Perfection ACT

FacultyProfessional Professional Faculty Development Development Total Hours of Training Total Hours of Training

5,686 5,686

Baptisms Baptisms

124 students 124 students Baptized Since 2017 Baptized Since 2017

35

$1.12M

WLHS student student junior junior Tommy Tommy WLHS Doerr achieved a perfect Doerr achieved a perfect ACT score score on on the the first first try try ACT of taking the test. of taking the test.

to bridge the gap between tuition & to bridge the gap between tuition & vouchers and the cost to educate vouchers and the cost to educate

Of the the 1.67 1.67 million million students students Of who took the exam who took the exam nationally in in 2023, 2023, only only nationally 5,579 achieved a perfect 5,579 achieved a perfect score (.5 (.5 percent). percent). score

Firststudents students First in 2023-2024 from in 2023-2024 from SouthAfrica Africa South

Congregational Giving Giving Congregational

Singapore Singapore School-wide School-wide MissionProject Project Mission Dollars Raised Dollars Raised

$45,621

36 7

“It isis more more blessed blessed to to give give than than “It (Acts 20:35) to receive.” to receive.” (Acts 20:35)

National Merit Merit National Scholarships Scholarships Of the the 1.3 1.3 million million entrants, entrants, Of less than 2 percent earned less than 2 percent earned this prestigious prestigious recognition recognition this

Perfect ACT ACT Score Score == Perfect

total WLHS WLHS students students total who achieved who achieved aa perfect ACT ACT score score perfect inthe thepast pastseven sevenyears years in

Co-curricular Co-curricular Activities Activities

Students in One or More Students in One or More

2

WLHS finalists finalists WLHS

FineArts ArtsParticipation Participation Fine Students in a Fine Arts Students in a Fine Arts Elective Elective

Athletic Conference Conference Athletic Champions Champions Including boys basketball Including boys basketball State championship State championship

80% 46% 10 249 Overall 249 Overall

WHERE SUCCESS MEANS MORE

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Meet Our New Teachers

This year, we’ve added eight talented professionals to our faculty and staff.

Art Department

Mathematics Department

Ms. Candace Greupink Ms. Candace Greupink is teaching Drawing, Introduction to 2-D Art and Design, Graphic Arts, and Video Production and overseeing the student yearbook. Greupink previously taught art in the Pewaukee School District for 12 years. She Candace Greupink earned her bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.

World Languages Department Mrs. Kaitlin Hernandez Mrs. Kaitlin Hernandez, who has been serving as a part-time teacher at WLHS since 2020, is teaching Spanish full time this year. Hernandez previously spent a year working as a first-grade teacher at Saint David School in the Dominican Republic and is Kaitlin Hernandez married to Mr. Micah Hernandez, who is also a WLHS Spanish teacher. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Spanish and social work from Minnesota State University - Mankato.

World Languages and Science Departments

Mrs. Morgan Lautz Mrs. Morgan Lautz joined WLHS in 2021 as a part-time teacher and is now teaching Algebra 1 and Honors Algebra 1 full time.

Lautz previously taught seventh and eighth grade math, as well as math intervention, at Mt. Lebanon Lutheran School Morgan Lautz for four years. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Wisconsin Lutheran College (WLC), has a certificate in urban leadership from Harvard University, and a master’s degree in educational leadership from WLC.

English Department Ms. Claire Leverence (‘19)

Claire Leverence

Fine Arts Department Ms. Alicia Mengel (‘19)

Mr. Jason Zweifel

Jason Zweifel

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Mr. Jason Zweifel is teaching Spanish and biology. Zweifel previously taught at Christ the King Academy, Palm Coast, Fla., for five years. He earned his bachelor’s degree in elementary education and Spanish from MLC.

WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL || Fall 2024

Ms. Claire Leverence (’19) is teaching composition and joined the faculty last January. Leverence earned her bachelor’s degree in secondary education broadfield language arts in English and communication from WLC.

Ms. Alicia Mengel (’19) is the new grade school band director.

Mengel earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and instrumental music education from MLC. Alicia Mengel

Meet Our New Staff Student Services Department Mrs. Rachel (Kohn) Rebholz (‘04)

Rachel Rebholz

Mrs. Rachel (Kohn) Rebholz (’04) is WLHS’ first-ever school nurse.

Rebholz previously worked at the LUMIN schools as manager of health services and school nurse. She earned her associate’s degree in nursing from Milwaukee Area Technical College.

PK-8 Curriculum Coordinator Mr. Christopher Bartsch Mr. Christopher Bartsch is serving in the role as PK-8 Curriculum Coordinator for the WLHS Conference. This position is funded by the conference schools and WLHS. Bartsch previously served in various roles at Atonement Lutheran School Christopher Bartsch for eight years and was most recently principal. He earned his bachelor’s degree from MLC, a master’s degree from WLC, and is currently enrolled in a curriculum and instruction licensure program at WLC.

Expanded Offerings from Student Services During the past few years, the WLHS Student Services department has expanded and updated the services it provides. The department has faculty and staff, personal counseling, career-based learning experiences, and new digital tools to support students’ post-secondary readiness and success.

Academic and Career Plan

Each WLHS student is paired with a school counselor who guides them through an Academic and Career Planning process. The goal is for students to complete the planning independently so they take ownership in preparing for their future. Throughout their four years at WLHS, they engage in a variety of assignments and learning activities to gain knowledge, explore options, and create a “next steps” plan they can implement after graduating.

New Academic and Career Planning Platform

As of this school year, WLHS is using Xello, a robust academic and career planning system that helps students create a roadmap for their future. Based on their post-high school plans, Xello assigns students interactive lessons and activities that help them develop the knowledge and skills they’ll need once they graduate.

College and Career Readiness

New Career and Work-based Learning Platform

2024-25 School Theme

InspireWI is a digital platform that shares career and work-based learning experiences. It’s a valuable resource for students and families to access as they consider components for their Academic and Career Plan. WLHS has also developed a Career Pathways Catalog that can help families who are looking to narrow down career-based learning experiences outside of the school day or during the summer.

Stay connected to WLHS! WHERE SUCCESS MEANS MORE

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Where Success Means More 330 North Glenview Avenue Milwaukee WI 53213-3379

TUITION ASSISTANCE AND SCHOLARSHIPS WLHS awards more than $800,000 in tuition assistance and scholarships.

The amount of tuition assistance provided ranges from $500 to nearly $6,000 per student, based on financial need and timing of the student’s application.

Visit wlhs.org/tuitionassistance or wlhs.org/scholarships for more information