WLHS Advantage Winter 2021 | Grade School Parent Publication
Meet Student Services
(formerly the Guidance Department) Highlights from: • Word of Life Lutheran School • 2020 WLHS Report Card • WLHS Virtual Tour
UNITY
CHARACTER
OPPORTUNITY
Where Success Means More
SUPPORT
FAITH WLHS provides students: • More confidence knowing their life foundation is rooted in Christ • More classes, co-curriculars and leadership opportunities to prepare students for college and career • More dedicated, caring teachers, coaches and staff who model Christian values and actions • More ways to connect and experience the “real world” and its diversity • More of what you, as a parent, are looking for
Meet Our
233
82.4%
from WELS grade schools
32%
of the class tested into advanced level math, science or English language arts courses
3 2
school. My own children have attended Wisco and that’s been such a blessing. They have Christian friends who encourage them in their faith and they have positive relationships with their teachers. I’m privileged and blessed to have my children go there and I know the kids we graduate from Good Shepherd’s are going to be well taken care of at Wisco. — Mike Henning (’92), Principal Good Shepherd’s Lutheran School, West Allis As a parent of five, I experienced first-hand how Wisco teachers meet the individual needs of their
FRESHMAN CLASS young men and women
As a grade school principal, I know it’s a great
students. Teachers provided additional opportunities for our children who had musical gifts and academic talents. We had children who struggled academically and teachers bent over backwards to help them. We even had a teacher let us know our child “seemed off” that day to give us a heads up on an impending emotional crisis. It is clear Wisco teachers truly love their students and want to support them. — Christine Rindfleisch, 7th Grade Teacher, St. John Lutheran School, Wauwatosa Having been a student at Wisco, I know it does a great job of building on your faith foundation, giving you opportunities to live it and producing awesome leaders. I went to UW-Madison and during college
international students from China and South Korea
WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL || Winter 2021
people could tell there was something different about me because I was comfortable living my faith. — Talia (Spiegelberg ‘14) Steinhauer, 2nd Grade Teacher, St. Paul’s Lutheran School, Muskego
Scholarship Makes a Difference
“Tyler got a scholarship to Wisco so that made the monthly payments manageable,” Ryan Williamson, father of freshman Tyler Williamson For his part, Tyler is having a great freshman year and plans to try out for the freshman baseball team.
“As a parent, we couldn’t be happier that we decided to send Tyler to Wisco. He enjoys going to school and really seems to connect with his teachers,” says Ryan.
More Scholarships Added
WLHS offers 70+ scholarships, including five new ones. Families are eligible to receive a combination of scholarships and tuition assistance. s The Williamson family
Tyler Williamson (’24) and his parents were familiar with WLHS since he attended Word of Life Lutheran School in Milwaukee and played on the Jr. Vikings baseball team. The family wanted Tyler to continue his Christian education but tuition was a concern. “Brad (Wetzel) was really helpful and walked us through the process of applying for scholarships,” says Ryan. “He’s passionate about his job. You can tell he’s working hard to help families out.”
Ken Leverence Scholarship A $1,000 scholarship for a sophomore, junior or senior who has a minimum 3.0 GPA, completes an essay and provides two teacher references.
s Kris Metzger Scholarship A $1,000 scholarship, based on financial need. s LB Kolander Scholarship A $1,000 scholarship, based on financial need. s
Walz Family Scholarship A $1,000 scholarship, based on financial need, for a student who plans to pursue the pastoral or teaching ministry.
s
WLHS Engineering & Computer Science Excellence Scholarship A $1,000 scholarship for a student with a minimum 3.0 GPA who participates in a co-curricular and shows interest in computer science, information technology or engineering.
Choice Enrollment Now Open We encourage families to explore whether they may qualify for either the Milwaukee or Wisconsin Parental Choice Programs.
February 1-20 – Milwaukee Parental Choice Program enrollment period, apply at dpi.wi.gov
February 1-April 20 – Wisconsin Parental Choice Program enrollment period, apply at dpi.wi.gov
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. WHERE SUCCESS MEANS MORE
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2020 Report Card 2020 WLHS Report Card
ACT
29.3
23.8
COVID-19 Impact and Response
When a world-wide pandemic shut down face-to-face learning, teachers and students adapted to online asynchronous learning.
WLHS WLHS Top Top 25% 25%
WLHS WLHS Top Top 50% 50%
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.
Scholarship Success A 2020 WLHS graduate is on his way to Northwestern University with a scholarship worth more than $300,000 over the next four years.
average daily virtual attendance in Spring 2020
19
• NHS member and on the honor roll • Recognized by the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association as an Individual Academic All-State Back-to-back alumni receive full Northwestern scholarships
50
COVID-19 Summer Mitigation Planning
cameras installed for hybrid learning
• HVAC improvements including ionization units • New bottle fillers and sanitizing stations
350+
• Enhanced cleaning, screening, and hygiene • Antibody testing offered to faculty & staff
75%
hours of mental health support (March-June)
of families opted for in-person learning for the 2020 Fall semester
Closing the Achievement Gap
Advanced Placement Success
18.7
16.5 14.2
15.6
63%
67% State State
Worldwide Worldwide
FF A A LL LL
SPRI SPRI NG NG
SPRI SPRI NG NG
SPRI SPRI NG NG
2019 WLHS
District
State
2019 WLHS
5 year year averages averages 5
Economically Disadvantaged
WLHS students participating in College Possible had an impressive 2.2 points growth on the ACT over the course of a year. All 12 students, who applied, were accepted into four-year colleges.
Examples of Excellence
• 34 AP Calculus AB students tested and 31 were above a 3 (91%) • All 12 AP Calculus BC students tested above a 3 (100%) • Out of 14 AP Chemistry students five scored a 4, and two scored a 5 • 5 AP Physics students scored a 5 All 14 students tested above a 3 (100%)
Course Offerings
Co-curriculars, Clubs, or Student Activities
883
145
40+ 35% 66%
WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL || Winter 2021
Faculty and Staff Who Are Alumni of WLHS
84% WLHS WLHS
2020-21 Official Enrollment
4
mission trips planned for 2020
WLHS was one of the first schools in Milwaukee approved by the Department of Health to return number of classrooms to face-to-face instruction. Over the summer, with state-of-the-art planning for a safe return included: cameras installed for
• Garden Homes Lutheran School alumnus • Participant in College Possible
2
95-98%
136 students raised $56,000 in anticipation of participating in summer mission trips. Those trips were ultimately canceled. WLHS WLHS Top Top 75% 75%
State State
District District
15.7
WLHS WLHS All All Students Students
19.8
21.7
26.3
www.wlhs.org
Faculty Who Hold or Are Working Toward an Advanced Degree
Average Class Size
19
2020Report ReportCard Card 2020
www.wlhs.org www.wlhs.org
Growing Enrollment Growing Enrollment
77% of WLHS student body attended 77% of WLHS student body attended a Lutheran elementary school (LES). a Lutheran elementary school (LES). This is the 2nd consecutive year 40+% This is the 2nd consecutive year 40+% of LES 8th grade students choose of LES 8th grade students choose to attend WLHS. to attend WLHS. 883
Multiethnic Diversity Multiethnic Diversity
727students 727 students students
2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 | 2017-18 | 2018-19 | 2019-20 | 2020-21 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 | 2017-18 | 2018-19 | 2019-20 | 2020-21
54 Seniors (36% of the class) were 54 Seniors (36% of the class) were accepted to top 100 colleges accepted to top 100 colleges in the United States. in the United States.
0.3% American Indian/Alaskan Native 0.3% American Indian/Alaskan Native 8.8% Asian 8.8% Asian 32% Black/African American 32% Black/African American 0.1% Native Hawaiian/ 0.1% Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander Pacific Islander 12.3% Latino/Hispanic 12.3% Latino/Hispanic 46.2% White 46.2% White 5 new domestic residential students 5 new domestic residential students joined in 2020-21 for a total of 8 in our joined in 2020-21 for a total of 8 in our program, our most to date. program, our most to date.
Embracing the Great Commission Embracing the Great Commission Despite a 10% decline in international Despite a 10% decline in international student enrollment in the USA, WLHS student enrollment in the USA, WLHS increased by 65% in 2019-2020. increased by 65% in 2019-2020.
70 70
International students International students in 2019-2020 in 2019-2020
14 14
Different countries Different countries represented in represented in Honey Creek Hall Honey Creek Hall
44
(in 2019-20) (in 2019-20)
Anatomy & Physiology Anatomy & Physiology AP Computer & Science Principles AP Computer & Science Principles AP Macroeconomics AP Macroeconomics AP Microeconomics AP Microeconomics Video Production Video Production
(in 2018-19) (in 2018-19)
Apologetics Apologetics AP Physics AP Physics AP Statistics AP Statistics ProStart Culinary Program ProStart Culinary Program
Gaining Ground Project Update Gaining Ground Project Update
Albania Albania
WLHS increased its footprint for the first time since the 1950s, WLHS increased its footprint for the first time since the 1950s, with the purchase of land south of Honey Creek Parkway, with the purchase of land south of Honey Creek Parkway, for an increase of 2.5 acres of land. This allowed for these for an increase of 2.5 acres of land. This allowed for these immediate improvements: immediate improvements: • Parking lot expansion • Parking lot expansion • Paved path from WLHS to Honey Creek Hall • Paved path from WLHS to Honey Creek Hall • New, larger maintenance garage • New, larger maintenance garage
Montenegro Montenegro
Serbia Serbia New students from New students from new countries new countries
Mobile Devices Mobile Devices 21st Century Class
21stRoom Century Class Learning Room Learning
11::11
over the past three years (for 2020-21) (for 2020-21)
Advanced Fitness Advanced Fitness Advanced Fitness & Team Sports Advanced Fitness & Team Sports AP Art and Design AP Art and Design Entrepreneurship Entrepreneurship Honors Biology Honors Biology Honors Chemistry Honors Chemistry Individual Fitness and Lifetime Individual Fitness and Lifetime Activities Activities Musicianship through Percussion Musicianship through Percussion Strength Training Strength Training
830 students 883 830 students students 779 students 773 773 779 students students 773 773 students 768students students students 768 students
College Acceptance Highlights College Acceptance Highlights
New Curriculum Offerings New Curriculum Offerings over the past three years
Spain Spain Baptisms Baptisms 41 students
41 students Baptized Since 2017 Baptized Since 2017
55
Baptized During COVID Baptized During COVID
School-wide School-wide Mission Project Mission DollarsProject Raised Dollars Raised
$24,149 $24,149
Athletics Athletics Participation Participation
Overall Co-curriular Overall Co-curriular Participation Participation
61% 73% 73% 61%
E-sports E-sports Accomplishments Accomplishments Inaugural Season Inaugural Season 2019-2020 2019-2020
11
Runner-up State Champs Runner-up State Champs
WHERE SUCCESS MEANS MORE
5
Meet Student Services (formerly the Guidance Department) Student Services provides career, college and mental health counseling and support to WLHS students.
WLHS Student Services Team In addition to three counselors, WLHS Student Services is rounded out with two additional support staff. Pictured left to right: Mr. Chad Biesterfeld, support staff, Mrs. Emily Jiles, director, Mrs. Barb Tesch, support staff, Mrs. Katie Chavez, counselor, and Mr. Pete Schumacher, counselor
Mrs. Emily (Kleist ‘00) Jiles Director of Student Services and Counseling
Mrs. Emily Jiles
Background: Jiles has a Master of School Counseling degree from Marquette University. She is a statecertified guidance counselor and has experience working cross-culturally in guidance and admissions.
Mr. Pete Schumacher School Counselor
Mr. Pete Schumacher
Background: Schumacher has a Master of School Counseling degree from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. In addition to his work in Student Services, he teaches AP Psychology.
Mrs. Katie Chavez School Counselor
Mrs. Katie Chavez 6
Background: Chavez, who is fluent in Spanish, has a Master of School Counseling degree from Concordia University in Mequon. Based on her experience in student group work, she’s piloting new organizations at WLHS and providing assistance to Spanish-speaking families.
College & Career Program WLHS Student Services has implemented a comprehensive, one-on-one College & Career Program that leads students through their four years at WLHS and prepares them for their next stage of life. Freshmen – Elements for High School Success Sophomores – Personality Traits and Career Exploration Juniors – College Exploration, ACT and SAT Prep Seniors – Post High School Plans, College Applications and Essays
Tour WLHS Virtually!
WLHS has debuted a new virtual tour to introduce students and parents to its campus and offerings. You can find the tour on our website at wlhs.org/tour.
A number of tour stops also include video interviews:
Mr. Quinten Petersen
Mrs. Lindsay Knight
Lily Dang (‘23)
Mr. Quinten Petersen, director of bands and fine arts department coordinator Mrs. Lindsay Knight, science teacher, coach and advisor to the Viking Christian Leader Academy and Student Council
The tour features 15 stops, including visits to: • Science, math and engineering classrooms • Culinary arts and fashion tech labs • Wood shop and band room • Library, gymnasium and outdoor athletic complex • Honey Creek Hall, a suite style dormitory for domestic and international students
Lily Dang (‘23), an international student from Vietnam
If you have specific questions about WLHS, its offerings or the admissions process, please contact Brad Wetzel (’98), director of admissions, at 414-453-4567 ext. 1322 or brad.wetzel@wlhs.org
Stay connected to WLHS! WHERE SUCCESS MEANS MORE
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Where Success Means More 330 North Glenview Avenue Milwaukee WI 53213-3379
4th & 6th Graders* are you ready?
Make a SPLASH! Monday March 15, 2021 held at Springs Water Park, Pewaukee • swimming starts at 4:30 p.m. RSVP by Monday, March 8, 2021 at www.wlhs.org/splash
* Every student must be accompanied
by at least one parent