Off Campus Opportunities

Wisconsin's Youth Options program allows public high school juniors and seniors who meet certain requirements to take postsecondary courses at a UW institution, a Wisconsin technical college, one of the state's participating private nonprofit institutions of higher education, or tribally-controlled colleges.

Approved courses count toward high school graduation and college credit. Under Youth Options, a student does not pay for a college course if the school board determines the course qualifies for high school credit and is not comparable to a course already offered in the school district. If approved by the school board, the student can receive both high school and college credit upon successful completion of the course.

Parents/Guardians need to complete the Youth Options application form (PI-8700-A). For more information and to access the necessary form please visit the following website: http://dpi.wi.gov/youthoptions .

The form should be submitted to the District Director of Curriculum and Instruction before March 1st for the fall term or by October 1st for the spring term. After getting district approval on their PI-8700-A, students will need to complete admissions forms for their selected college.

Course Options law allows a pupil enrolled in a public school district to take up to two courses at any time from an educational institution.

Wisconsin Educational institutions are defined under the Course Options statute as:

• A public school in a nonresident school district
• The University of Wisconsin system
• A technical college
• Nonprofit institutions of higher education
• A tribal college
• A charter school
• A nonprofit organization that has been approved by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI)

Parents/Guardians need to complete the Course Options application form (PI-8900) which can be found on the Wisconsin DPI website: http://dpi.wi.gov/courseoptions. Please consult the website for application deadlines and for more information.

Education Partners is an innovative educational model that uniquely prepares students to succeed in technical careers and promotes viability for business. Working collaboratively with school district partners, GPS identifies students who aspire to pursue a technical career and who will benefit from engaging differently in personalized, authentic, hands-on learning experiences.

These students are invited to explore a fresh pathway toward high school graduation through GPS’ unique, proven educational model. Students earn their diploma from their home high school yet spend their junior and senior years fully immersed in education and training at local manufacturing companies.

In addition to a high school diploma, students are uniquely prepared for accelerated career and college pathways. All students have the opportunity to obtain stackable industry credentials, valuable employability skills and transferable, post-secondary college credits. GPS, school districts, business and community partners all work together to ensure students graduate with a plan, a purpose and the self-confidence to succeed. Learn more at http://gpsed.org.

Students must be referred by a counselor or administrator.

WCTC’s Dual Enrollment Academy is designed to provide high school seniors with a head start in jobs in high-demand fields while providing them an opportunity to earn college credits prior to high school graduation. The initiative awards participants with a WCTC diploma (upon successful completion) along with high school credits. Students will spend the majority of their school day, both fall and spring semesters of their senior year, at WCTC participating in the Dual Enrollment Academy.

There is no cost to the high school student for participation in this program; however, students will be required to provide their own safety equipment (e.g. shoes or goggles), school supplies and transportation to and from WCTC. Beyond gaining college credit, participation in the Dual Enrollment Academy helps high school students ease the transition from high school to post-secondary education, giving them insight into college academics. The initiative also benefits business and industry by having an immediate impact on private sector employers looking for skilled talent.

Programs currently offered include:

• Automation Systems Technology
• Building Construction Trades
• Firefighter/EMT
• IT Systems Specialist
• Tool & Die/CNC
• Welding/Fabrication
• Early Childhood Education Preschool

Please see your high school counselor for more information, or visit the WCTC website http://www.wctc.edu/dual-enroll