WLHS Advantage Winter 2020 | Grade School Parent Publication
Where Success Means More Highlights from:
• Trinity Lutheran, Waukesha
Where Success Means More
We invite you and your child to schedule a tour to experience the MORE that we offer. Mr. Mark Ricke, director of enrollment (left) and Mr. Brad Wetzel (‘98), director of admissions (right)
The “More” at WLHS means: P More opportunities for students to root their life foundation in Christ P More paths to develop life-long character – something future employers are looking for! P More classes, co-curriculars and leadership positions to prepare students for college and career P More dedicated, caring teachers, coaches and staff who model Christian values and actions More ways to connect and experience P the “real” world and its diversity
P More of what you, as a parent, are looking for
Please review our 2019 Report Card on the following pages and let us know if you have any questions or would like to learn about our MORE.
Making Tuition Affordable WLHS is accepting tuition assistance applications through January 31 at: wlhs.org/tuitionassistance.
Enrollment for the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program runs February 1-20 and enrollment for Wisconsin Parental Choice Program runs February 1 – April 20. Apply for both programs at dpi.wi.gov.
Contact Mr. Brad Wetzel (’98), director of admissions, at 414-453-4567 ext. 1322 or brad.wetzel@wlhs.org. 2
WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL || Winter 2020
Transferring to WLHS
The decision to switch high schools isn’t easy but two families are happy they did.
Elijah Evans (‘22) joined the WLHS football team this fall (pictured with his mom).
A Sophomore Transition The Evans Family, Members of Trinity Lutheran, Waukesha After Elijah’s freshman year at New Berlin West, his parents, Karen (Mikush) and Adam Evans who are both ’92 grads of WLHS, decided it would be best for him to transfer.
After playing varsity soccer for just one season, Noah Kontny (’21) was selected as a team captain (pictured left).
Living on Campus The Kontny Family, Members of St. Joseph, Fort Atkinson
“We saw a huge change in Elijah right away. He’s happier, more content and more engaged with his classes,” say the Evans.
Noah Kontny and his family made a big change this fall. After two years at Fort Atkinson High School, his parents decided their son would benefit from a more diverse high school.
Elijah likes to work with his hands so Wisco’s strong Trade and Technology program interested him. This semester, he’s taking Exploratory Wood/Metal, as well as Ceramics.
“Noah shadowed at WLHS and it was just fantastic,” says his mom Tammy. “Wisco has a great reputation and we know so many families who’ve sent their children and they have nothing but good things to say.”
Karen says teacher accessibility has also made her son’s transition easier.
In addition to switching high schools, Noah is living in the new residence hall during the week, returning home most weekends.
“I’m able to contact the teachers day or night and they respond,” says Karen. “They’ve been really supportive and responsive and that’s been reassuring for us.” While it wasn’t an easy decision, the Evans are glad they made the change. “Knowing Elijah would be in a Christian environment with Christian educators was a big consideration. Wisco is reinforcing the beliefs we have at home and that’s important to us.”
Tours and shadow days can be arranged at wlhs.org.
“The school and kids have been really welcoming. I’ve noticed at Wisco everyone seems to have someone,” says Noah. “I joined soccer and, even though I was new, the team made sure I was always included. While Noah is a strong student, his parents felt he wasn’t pushing himself academically at Fort Atkinson. “At Wisco, he’s being challenged and that’s been great. He’s taking advanced classes that he’ll need for college like Pre-Calculus, Physics, Spanish 3 and Advanced Composition,” says Tammy.
WHERE SUCCESS MEANS MORE.
3
2019 Report Card 2019 WLHS Report Card
Advanced Placement Success
57%
65%
Worldwide
www.wlhs.org
Wisco Witnesses in the World
128
Wisco Witnesses in the World is a serviceminded group. Students have the opportunity students to practice the lessons they learn every day in school, including sharing the love of Jesus through outreach and community service activities.
17
mission trips in 2019
State
85% WLHS
Eighty-five percent of students who took AP exams received qualifying scores for college credit, a four percent increase from 2018.
ACT
28.8
WLHS’ best scores, as reported to colleges, show the top 75 percent of seniors averaged 23.8 (70th percentile) on the ACT. Achieving at the 70th percentile means a student scored in the top third of all students nationwide. 2019-20 Official Enrollment
16.8 14.9
WLHS WLHS Top Top 25% 25%
WLHS WLHS Top Top 50% 50%
23.8
WLHS WLHS Top Top 75% 75%
State State
District District
15.5
WLHS WLHS All All Students Students
19.6
21.8
25.8
Closing the Achievement Gap
Course Offerings
14.9
A LL LL FF A
2018 WLHS
17.4
SPRI NG NG SPRI
SPRI SPRI NG NG
SPRI SPRI NG NG
2018 2018 2018 District State WLHS Economically Disadvantaged
WLHS students participating in College Possible had an impressive 2.5 points growth on the ACT over the course of a year and outperformed the state average. College Possible makes college admissions and success possible for low-income students with an intensive curriculum of coaching and support. Co-curriculars, Clubs, or Student Activities
Average Daily Attendance
Scholarship Success A 2019 WLHS graduate, and St. Marcus Lutheran Grade School alumna, is on her way to Northwestern University with a scholarship totaling $300,000 over the next four years.
30
ACT Score
• Participant in College Possible • Honor roll every semester • NHS member • Completed four Advanced Placement classes • First-generation college student
Faculty Who Hold or Are Working Toward an Advanced Degree
830 140+ 40+ 96% 66% 4
WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL || Winter 2020
Average Class Size
19
2019 2019 Report Report Card Card
www.wlhs.org www.wlhs.org
Caring, Caring, Christian Christian Atmosphere Atmosphere In a school-wide survey In a school-wide survey
93%
Embracing Embracing the the Great Great Commission Commission
Multiethnic Multiethnic Diversity Diversity
66 13
of WLHS students of WLHS students agree or strongly agree agree or strongly agree with this statement: with this statement:
“My “My teacher teacher reflected reflected Christ’s love by Christ’s love by caring caring about me as a person about me as a person and and as as a a student.” student.”
(for 2019-20)
Recent Recent College College Acceptance Acceptance Highlights Highlights Boston University Boston University Emory University Emory University Fashion Institute of Technology Fashion Institute of Technology Harvard Harvard Northwestern University Northwestern University Martin Luther College Martin Luther College Michigan State University Michigan State University Otis College of Art and Design Otis College of Art and Design Purdue University Purdue University Rutgers University Rutgers University Rice University Rice University University of California-Berkley University of California-Berkley University of Chicago University of Chicago University of Miami University of Miami University of Pittsburgh University of Pittsburgh University of Wisconsin-Madison University of Wisconsin-Madison Valparaiso University Valparaiso University Wisconsin Lutheran College Wisconsin Lutheran College
Mobile Devices
Baptisms
Baptisms Three-year total Three-year total since 2017 since 2017
1:1
36
Countries of Origin Represented Countries of Origin Represented
New Curriculum New Curriculum Offerings Offerings (for 2019-20)
0.4% American Indian/Alaskan Native 0.4% American Indian/Alaskan Native 9.5% Asian 9.5% Asian 30.4% Black/African American 30.4% Black/African American 1% Native Hawaiian/ 1% Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander Pacific Islander 12.3% Latino/Hispanic 12.3% Latino/Hispanic 47.5% White 47.5% White
Mobile Devices 21st Century Class 21st Century Class Room Learning Room Learning
International Students International Students
AP Economics AP Economics AP Computer Science Principles AP Computer Science Principles Anatomy & Physiology Anatomy & Physiology Video Production Video Production
(in 2018-19) (in 2018-19)
AP Physics AP Physics AP Statistics AP Statistics Apologetics Apologetics ProStart ProStart
National National Merit Merit Scholarships Scholarships
ACT ACT Perfection Perfection
Two WLHS juniors, Two WLHS juniors, Jonas Doerr and Jonas Doerr and Maggie Johnston, Maggie Johnston, achieved a perfect ACT achieved a perfect ACT score on the first try. score on the first try.
1 1
Of the nearly two million Of the nearly two million students who took the students who took the exam nationally in 2018, exam nationally in 2018, only 3,741 achieved a only 3,741 achieved a perfect score (.02 percent). perfect score (.02 percent).
36 4
National National AP AP Scholars Scholars
2
Perfect ACT Score Perfect ACT Score
Dollars Raised
$36,445 $36,445
Co-curricular Co-curricular Activities Activities Students in One or More Students in One or More
Commended Commended
Of the 1.6 million entrants, Of the 1.6 million entrants, less than 2 percent earned less than 2 percent earned this prestigious recognition. this prestigious recognition.
Total WLHS students Total WLHS students who have achieved who have achieved a perfect ACT score a perfect ACT score in the past three years in the past three years
School-wide School-wide Mission Project Mission Project Dollars Raised
Finalist Finalist
Seniors Seniors
Achieved a 4.0 or higher on Achieved a 4.0 or higher on a 5 point scale, and took 8 a 5 point scale, and took 8 or more AP exams. Of the 3.6 or more AP exams. Of the 3.6 million scholars who take AP million scholars who take AP tests, only about .09% achieve tests, only about .09% achieve this national distinction. this national distinction.
Fine Arts Fine Arts Participation Participation
79% 51%
Athletic Conference Athletic Conference Championships Championships Including Girls State
Including Girls State Champs in Track & Field Champs in Track & Field
8
223 Overall 223 Overall
WHERE SUCCESS MEANS MORE.
5
esports Teams Launch Inaugural Season
WLHS is now fielding varsity and JV esports teams that will begin competing this January.
Watch WLHS esports Live
Members of the 2019-20 esports team
While most adults may not realize it, the championships of the League of Legends drew more viewers worldwide than last year’s Super Bowl.
Q&A with esports Coach Peter Iles
“Competitive gaming is exploding and it’s a sport that can be channeled for the benefit of students,” says Mr. Peter Iles, developer of instructional technology and coach of the esports team. “Successful schools have a significant percentage of their student body involved in co-curriculars. esports is an opportunity for us to engage and connect with more students, especially those who aren’t interested in athletics or the arts.”
esports are competitive video games where teams of students compete against each other. Many colleges field esports teams and offer scholarships to esports athletes. The Wisconsin High School esports Association currently has about 30 schools participating.
More Co-curriculars
WLHS has added a number of new clubs the past few years. • Art Club – A weekly club for students to work individually or collaboratively on creating art. • Club K – Started by a student leader, the club is for those who enjoy K-pop (Korean Pop) music and are interested in learning more about Korean culture, language and food. • Culture Club – Celebrates, educates and brings awareness about specific cultures, their people and their values. • Pair A Dice Board Game Club – Students gather monthly to play board and strategy games. • TCG Club – For students who enjoy trading card games.
6
Parents and friends can visit wlhs.org for the esports live streaming link. The spring season runs January – April and matches take place weekly at approximately 3:304:30 p.m. More details can be found on the WLHS web site.
WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL || Winter 2020
What are esports?
What video games are played? For our first year, we are playing League of Legends and Rocket League. We plan to add a third game next school year. Why are we encouraging students to play video games? esports brings students together around a common interest. esports also allows WLHS and parents to frame gaming in a more productive manner. Instead of “Put away the video game and get your work done,” it can be “Your school work comes first. You can’t be on the esports team if you are ineligible.” How can students get involved? Our program will have a variety of opportunities for students. We have our team competitors and our support members. For example, we’re working to train students to be play-by-play announcers and color commentators as part of our live streaming. We also have students who will build and maintain our social media pages and take on other team-related responsibilities.
Art Program Grows
New teacher, new classes, new club and more students The arts at WLHS are flourishing. Mr. Michael Wiechmann, who has a master’s degree from Minnesota State University—Mankato, joined WLHS last school year and has been having an impact ever since. Wiechmann has a varied background that he draws on regularly in the classroom. He’s a graduate of Bethany Lutheran College and spent four years utilizing technology to lead online art classes in Salt Lake City, Utah. Most recently, he taught at St. Cloud Christian School in Minn. He’s also a working artist and, for the past 10 years, has done one to two solo shows annually. At WLHS, Wiechmann is teaching Drawing & Sketching, Ceramics/Mixed Media, Advanced Drawing and the new Graphic Design & Video Production class. He is also the Compass yearbook advisor and started an Art Club that has grown to approximately 40 students who gather each Tuesday to collaborate and work on big mural projects and small individual creations. “We’re fostering a vibrant and active arts community and students are embracing that,” says Wiechmann. “In just the past year, we’ve had a significant jump in students taking art courses.” As part of the Graphic Design & Video Production class, students are exploring different visual storytelling techniques and genres like stop-motion animation and online commercials. They’re also working with a variety of software, including Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. “I like to have students get real-life, hands-on experience. To do that, we often provide our services to internal clients who have specific design needs. For example, my class recently created logos for the new aquaponics program that science teacher Mr. Josh Nelson is leading,” says Wiechmann. Wiechmann is also spearheading a curriculum plan to add an AP Arts class within the next one to two years.
Art instructor Michael Wiechmann and students Eric Williams-Clark, Hope Prima in Milwaukee, and Ian Wiltsey, Mount Calvary Lutheran School in Waukesha, collaborated to paint the 2019-20 WLHS school theme banner in the auditorium.
This fall, seven WLHS students received awards for their entries in the Hispanic Heritage Month drawing contest. Freshman Tiffany Chen, an international student from Shanghai, China, won first place.
As part of the Graphic Design & Video Production class, students created logo options for the new Aquaponics program at WLHS.
Each summer, WLHS hosts a Viking Explorer Arts Camp that gives grade school students a hands-on opportunity to investigate art at a higher level. Stay connected to WLHS!
WHERE SUCCESS MEANS MORE.
7
GUIDED BY FAITH. DRIVENAvenue BY EXCELLENCE. 330 North Glenview Milwaukee WI 53213-3379
YOU Are Invited
Join us for this complimentary event
SUNDAY, JANUARY 26, 2020
Please register by Friday, January 17 at www.wlhs.org/5thGrade