2023 Winter Advantage

WLHS Advantage Winter 2023 | Grade School Parent Publication

More than

85% of WLHS

students participate in one or more co-curricular activity Highlights from: • Good Shepherd’s Lutheran School, West Allis

2022 Drama Production The Matchmaker

Did You Know?

Mr. Brad Wetzel (‘98)

Brad Wetzel, Director of Admissions

• When Mr. Brad Wetzel (’98) attended WLHS, he played on both the offensive and defensive lines and was recognized as Wisconsin Little Ten Conference Lineman of the Year.

Admissions Calendar

• Mr. Wetzel earned his MBA in Education Leadership from MSOE in 2019.

5th Grade Extravaganza RSVP at wlhs.org/5thgrade – February 5

• Mr. Wetzel has four children and is an avid fisherman.

Mr. Mark Ricke

Mark Ricke, Director of Enrollment

• Mr. Mark Ricke started WLHS’ first-ever Canoe Club. Throughout the school year, a dozen students worked together to build a 20’ canoe by hand. Once the cedar and redwood craft was finished, the club took it down the Wisconsin River as part of a two-day camping trip.

• Mr. Ricke has four children plus a bonus son.

Ruizhe (Forest) Wu, an international student from China, lived with the Rickes and became part of their family.

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 Make a Splash! for 4th & 6th grade parents and students. Advance registration is required at wlhs.org/splash – March 16 Future Freshmen Placement Testing at WLHS – March 11 & 18

73.8%

of freshmen are from WELS grade schools Mr. Ricke (pictured third from left) with members of the WLHS Canoe Club on the Wisconsin River

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WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL || Winter 2023

WLHS Is Possible

“Don’t let doubt stand in your way. Wisco has options that can help.”

The Groth Family Ethan (pictured right) attended Good Shepherd’s Lutheran School in West Allis and is now a sophomore at WLHS. He will be joined by his younger brother, Alexander, (pictured front) for the 2023-24 school year.

That’s the advice Christopher and Amanda (Gray) Groth (’03) have for parents who think Wisco isn’t an option for their family due to finances.

Let’s Talk

“We were nervous about the cost of tuition but we were able to share some of our unique financial concerns during the application process,” says Amanda. “Based on that, our son received scholarships and tuition assistance so that brought the amount down to something that we felt was reasonable and fair.”

Amanda and Christopher are both alums and believed Wisco was the ideal place for their three boys. Their son Ethan is currently a sophomore and this August he’ll be joined by Alexander. A few years later, Matthew will walk through the doors of WLHS. “We like the Christian environment that Ethan is a part of. From his classes to the sports he participates in, God’s Word is all around him,” says Amanda.

“Plus, my husband and I both got a good quality education at Wisco that gave us advantages in our careers so that’s what we wanted for our boys.”

It’s never too early to start a conversation about WLHS. Contact Mr. Brad Wetzel (’98), director of admissions, at 414-453-4567 ext. 1322 or brad.wetzel@wlhs.org.

Each year, WLHS awards more than $700,000 in tuition assistance and scholarships.

WHERE SUCCESS MEANS MORE

3

Wisconsin WisconsinLutheran LutheranHigh HighSchool School 2022 2022 Report Report Card Card

WLHS Report Card

ACT ACT

Wisco Wisco Witnesses Witnesses in in the the World World

28.2 28.2

103

Wisco WiscoWitnesses Witnessesin inthe theWorld Worldisisaaserviceserviceminded mindedgroup. group.Students Studentshave havethe theopportunity opportunity to topractice practicethe thelessons lessonsthey theylearn learnevery everyday day students students in inschool, school,including includingsharing sharingthe thelove loveof ofJesus Jesus through throughoutreach outreachand andcommunity communityservice serviceactivities. activities.

15 mission missiontrips trips inin2022 2022

WLHS Top Top 25% 25% WLHS

25.1 25.1

WLHS Top Top 50% 50% WLHS

State State

WLHS All All Students Students WLHS

16.1 16.1

22.8 22.8

WLHS Top Top 75% 75% WLHS

20.5 20.5

19.8 19.8

District District

wlhs.org wlhs.org

WLHS’ WLHS’best bestscores, scores,as asreported reportedto to colleges, colleges,show showthe thetop top75 75percent percent of ofseniors seniorsaveraged averaged22.8 22.8 (70th (70thpercentile) percentile)on onthe theACT. ACT. Achieving Achievingat atthe the70th 70thpercentile percentile means meansaastudent studentscored scoredin inthe thetop top third thirdof ofall allstudents studentsnationwide. nationwide.

Advanced Advanced Placement Placement Success Success

60% 60%

54% 54%

State State

Worldwide Worldwide

WLHS WLHSjunior juniorJack JackGoelz, Goelz, achieved achievedaaperfect perfectACT ACT score scoreon onthe thefirst firsttry try of oftaking takingthe thetest. test.

74% 74%

$276,750 $276,750

WLHS WLHS

potential potentialsavings savings

WLHS WLHSstudents studentsscored scored33or orhigher higher (on (onaascale scaleof of1-5) 1-5)on on205 205AP APexams exams for foraatotal totalof of615 615college collegecredit creditsavings savings

37% 37%

of ofseniors seniorsparticipated participated ininat atleast leastone oneAP APclass class

2022-23 2022-23 Official OfficialEnrollment Enrollment

Course CourseOfferings Offerings

938 145 4

ACT ACTPerfection Perfection

Of Ofthe the1.3 1.3million millionstudents students who who took took the the exam exam nationally nationallyinin2021, 2021,only only 4,055 4,055achieved achievedaaperfect perfect score score(.5 (.5percent). percent).

Supporting SupportingAll AllStudents Students Students Studentsentering enteringWLHS WLHSbelow belowgrade grade level levelin inmath mathand andlanguage languagearts artsnearly nearly doubled doubledtheir theirprojected projectedyearly yearlyacademic academic growth, growth,based basedon ontheir theirinitial initialscore. score.

From FromMeasures Measuresof ofAcademic AcademicProgress Progress(MAP) (MAP) standardized standardizedtesting. testing.

Growth Growth ininMAP MAP Instructional Instructional Level LevelScore Score

36 36

66 55 44 33 22 11 00

==Perfect PerfectACT ACTScore Score

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

total totalWLHS WLHSstudents students who whoachieved achievedaa perfect perfectACT ACTscore score ininthe thepast pastfive fiveyears years

Faculty Facultyand andStaff Staff Who WhoAre AreAlumni Alumni of ofWLHS WLHS

Growth Growth ininMAP MAP Instructional Instructional Level LevelScore Score

66 55 44 33 22 11 00

Actual ActualGrowth Growth Projected Projected Growth Growth

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

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

60+ 41% 64%

WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL || Winter 2023

Average Average Class ClassSize Size

19

2022 Report Report Card Card 2022

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

Building on on the the Legacy Legacy Building Project Update Update Project

Scholarship Dollars Dollars Scholarship

Building on on the the Legacy’s Legacy’s $6.5M $6.5M Building capital campaign made upgrades capital campaign made upgrades to the the outdoor outdoor athletic athletic facilities. facilities. to Upgradesincluded: included: turf turf on on the the main main Upgrades andmulti-purpose multi-purpose fields, fields, new new track, track, and GRAPHICS APPROVAL LAYOUTFOR FORWISCONSIN WISCONSIN LUTHERANHIGH HIGHSCHOOL SCHOOL digital scoreboard, upgraded GRAPHICS APPROVAL LAYOUT LUTHERAN digital scoreboard, upgraded 318537 04/01/2022(R2 (R204/08) 04/08) 318537 04/01/2022 lighting, increased parking, parking, lighting, increased GraphicPanel PanelApproval Approval and more! more!

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State: WI State: WI

APPROVALDEADLINE: DEADLINE: 05/00 05/00 APPROVAL

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Trussand andChannel Channellettering letteringhave havebeen beenApproved Approved Truss

Waukesha Wauwatosa Waukesha Wauwatosa Polycarbonate Backlit Backlit District Polycarbonate District Panel - 36“ x 168” District District Panel - 36“ x 168”

Polycarbonate Backlit Polycarbonate Backlit Panel - 36“ x 168” Panel - 36“ x 168” Material 33.625” x 105.625” Material 33.625” x 105.625” Visible Opening 32” x 104” Visible Opening 32” x 104” Semi-Gloss Blue 49169 Semi-Gloss Blue 49169 Colors may appear lighter when lit Colors may appear lighter when lit Catalyst Construction: Catalyst Construction: Background White Background White “C” in Catalyst 12.2“h “C” in Catalyst 12.2“h

0.3% American AmericanIndian/ Indian/ 0.3% AlaskanNative Native Alaskan

$9,092 $9,092

9.6% Asian Asian 9.6%

T.O.L. T.O.L.

VIKINGS VIKINGS

43.4% White White 43.4%

DOWN DOWN

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.

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APPROVED APPROVED

Signature Signature

WLHScontinues continuesto tobroaden broadenits itsreach reachacross across the the globe globe WLHS withits itsmost mostdiverse diversepopulation populationever. ever.International International with enrollmentfor for2022-23 2022-23matches matchesthe thelargest largest ever. ever. enrollment

70

.

College Acceptance Acceptance College JenReiser Reiser Jen Highlights Highlights

Application OA Numbers Application OA Numbers

·

21

Internationalstudents students International inthe the2022 2022graduating graduatingclass class in Baptisms Baptisms

72students students 72 BaptizedSince Since2017 2017 Baptized

27

Iran Iran

School-wide School-wide MissionProject Project Mission

National Merit Merit National Scholarships Scholarships

·

Initials Initials

Designer Designer

·

·

Date Date

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

5

total WLHS WLHS finalists finalists total

Waukesha Waukesha District District

Poland Poland

Differentcountries countriesin inthe the Different residentialprogram program residential

1,312 1,312

.

Ofnote, note,WLHS WLHSstudents students“earned” “earned”more morethan than **Of $6.3million millionin incollege collegescholarships. scholarships. $6.3

Polycarbonate Backlit Polycarbonate Backlit Panel - 36“ x 300” Panel - 36“ x 300” Material 33.625” x 165.625” Material 33.625” x 165.625” Visible Opening 32” x 164” Visible Opening 32” x 164” Semi-Gloss Blue 49169 Semi-Gloss Blue 49169 Colors may appear lighter when lit Colors may appear lighter when lit Butters-Fetting Co.: Three Leaf Partners: Sit Means Sit Dog Training: Waukesha State Bank: Sit Means Sit Dog Training: Waukesha State Bank: Butters-Fetting Co.: Three Leaf Partners: Background White Background White Background White Background White Background White Background White Background White Background White “S” in Sit 13.3“h “W” in Waukesha 8.1“h “B” in Butters 9.6“h “T” in Three 11.2“h “S” in Sit 13.3“h “W” in Waukesha 8.1“h “B” in Butters 9.6“h “T” in Three 11.2“h

United United Kingdom Kingdom

19

Totalhours hoursof oftraining training Total

QTR QTR

Scoreboard Type Scoreboard Type FB-2038-W Semi-Gloss Blue 49169 FB-2038-W Semi-Gloss Blue 49169 1“ Stripe Perfect Match Red 7725-263 1“ Stripe Perfect Match Red 7725-263

First students students First in 2021-2022 2021-2022 from from in

Internationalstudents students International in2022-23 2022-23 in

FacultyProfessional Professional Faculty Development Development

BALLON ON BALL

GUEST GUEST

@1 @1

Production Instructions Production Instructions

$29,907 $29,907

$11,759 $11,759

WLHS seniors seniors accepted* accepted* more more than than WLHS $4.9 million million in in college college scholarships, scholarships, $4.9 averaging $29,907 per student averaging $29,907 per student and outperforming outperforming their their peers peers and by more than 39% percent. by more than 39% percent.

12.6% Latino/Hispanic Latino/Hispanic 12.6% 4.9% Two Twoor orMore More 4.9%

Material 33.625” x 105.625” Material 33.625” x 105.625” Visible Opening 32” x 104” Visible Opening 32” x 104” Semi-Gloss Blue 49169 Semi-Gloss Blue 49169 Colors may appear lighter when lit Colors may appear lighter when lit Wisconsin Lutheran HS Foundation: Wisconsin Lutheran HS Foundation: Background White Background White “W” in Wisconsin 5.1“h “W” in Wisconsin 5.1“h

Speaker Mesh (SS 500HD) Speaker Mesh (SS 500HD) Reference DWG # 00983398 Reference DWG # 00983398 Background Blue Background Blue

LEDDISPLAY DISPLAY LED LVX-2130-408X720-15HD LVX-2130-408X720-15HD

29.2% Black/African Black/African 29.2% American American

WLHS WLHS

22

26

seniorswere wereaccepted accepted seniors to top top 100 100 US US News News to BestNational NationalUniversity University Best Ranking Schools Schools Ranking

Co-curricular Co-curricular Activities Activities

DollarsRaised Raised Dollars

StudentsininOne Oneor orMore More Students

$39,199

75%

total total

Wauwatosa Wauwatosa District District

22

total total

WELS area area Lutheran Lutheran High High Schools Schools WELS and Prep Prep Schools Schools had had aa total total and of seven seven finalists finalists nationwide. nationwide. No No of other school, school, besides besides WLHS, WLHS, had had other more than than two. two. more

FineArts ArtsAudience Audience Fine Attendanceat at Attendance allconcerts/venues concerts/venues all

100,000+

Athletic Conference Conference Athletic Champions Champions Includingsoftball’s softball’sfirst firstever ever Including appearanceat atWIAA WIAAState State appearance

8

231Overall Overall 231

WHERE SUCCESS MEANS MORE

5

Meet the Theology Department

At WLHS, the theology department includes a wide variety of individuals – pastors, teachers, coaches, and a professor from Wisconsin Lutheran College.

While each has a different background, they are all united in their love of sharing God’s word with young men and women.

“Our goal is to help students cultivate life-long habits that weave God and his Word into their daily life,” says Mr. Ben Carlovsky, the department coordinator who came to WLHS in 2020 from Abiding Word Lutheran School in Houston. “That means everything from going to God in prayer to turning to the Bible for guidance, inspiration, and comfort.”

In addition to daily chapel and religion classes, WLHS students are surrounded by Christian friends as well as adult Christian role models. Many teachers and coaches begin their classes and practices with an opening prayer or devotion.

“We want students to have Christ in all facets of their life and to know and truly believe that nothing will separate them from God’s love,” says Carlovsky.

“I share Romans 8:38-39 with my students all the time because I want that driven home to them throughout their high school years. God’s love doesn’t leave us.”

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Theology Classes Freshman Year • Heritage of Our Faith Sophomore Year • Proclaiming Christianity & Life of Christ Junior Year • Living Christianity

Seniors Choose Four Quarter-long Classes • Apologetics • Christian Life Planning • Corinthians • From Friendship to Marriage • Hermeneutics • Non-Christian Religions • Religion and Science

International Students • Introduction to Christianity & Foundations of Christianity

Pictured (top) Dr. Phil Huebner, campus pastor, and (bottom) Mrs. Tammy Leyrer, Introduction to Christianity & Foundations of Christianity teacher

6

WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL || Winter 2023

(Romans 8:38-39)

Meet the Theology Department

Theology Department Members

Mr. Ben Carlovsky

Department Coordinator

Pastor Michael Berg

Pastor Heath Butler

Assistant Theology Professor at Wisconsin Lutheran College

Dr. Phil Huebner (’99)

Pastor Chris Koschnitzke (’98)

Wrestling Focus: One in Christ Mrs. Tamara Leyrer

The WLHS wrestling team has always considered itself a family in Christ. A testament to that tight bond is the fact that alumni – young and old, near and far – continue to support the program.

Mr. Brad

Mr. Bill Plamann

Chapel on YouTube

Reinhart (’07) While Mr. Bill Plamann has been with the WLHS wrestling program for 29 years, 2018 marked his first year as head coach.

Going into the season, he wanted to make a statement to the team.

“We always talk about being a great team and a family but I really wanted the boys to own that this year,” says Coach Plamann. “I wanted to set them up for success and then let them take it from there.”

Through an outpouring of gifts from alumni and those who love the sport, he was able to collect the $24,000 needed to purchase two new mats.

Then he turned customization of the mats over to the boys. The team came together and selected two mottos – One in Christ and OTF, an acronym for Only the Family.

“Wrestling is a brotherhood and the two mottos are about that,” says senior Jason Bonow (’19), Trinity Lutheran Grade School, Waukesha. “We come together for Christ. We’re representing him on the mat and we’re always supporting and cheering for each other like family.”

WLHS shares its chapel services on its YouTube channel @WLHSVikings.

Since the team’s wrestling mats were 22 years old, he focused on getting new ones.

Mr. Josh Rimpel

To dire

“It was important for them to know that I was going to put in everything I could to develop them as wrestlers and I expected the same from them,” says Plamann. “The new mats were significant since we wereMr. able Justin to wrestleWalz live on (’96) them throughout the season.”

Mr. Joshua Seeger (‘00)

Bonow advanced through regionals and sectionals to qualify for State but lost to a wrestler who ended up taking third place. Bonow plans to attend Waukesha County Technical College to pursue business.

Theology teacher & wrestling coach Mr. Bill Plamann is committed to weaving Christ’s love into his classes and co-curriculars. In 2018, Coach Plamann secured new wrestling mats with “One in Christ” printed on them to unite the team around their ultimate goal.

4

WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL || Spring 2019

Stay connected to WLHS!

WHERE SUCCESS MEANS MORE

7

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

YOU Are Invited

Sunday, February 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the WLHS Cafeteria RSVP by January 27, at wlhs.org/5thGrade

4 th and 6 th graders MAKE A SPLASH! with us o n Thursday , March 16 RSVP at w lhs.org/s plash