Rising Phoenix dual-enrollment program expands; district highlights first-generation student success and tuition savings

District staff updated the committee on the Rising Phoenix dual-enrollment program with the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, reporting cohort growth, strong postsecondary continuation rates and notable tuition savings for participating students. A district presenter said the program began in 2020 with an initial cohort and has grown to 30 students for the current junior cohort, with roughly 60 students in the combined junior–senior program next year. "Since its inception in 2020…we've had 25 students in the cohort, this last year moving that up to 30 students in the cohort," the presenter said. Nut graf: The program targets first-generation college students to provide dual high school–college enrollment and student support via UW-Green Bay student-support coaches; the district reported nearly all program participants have continued to postsecondary study since the program began, and the ECCP reimbursement and reduced tuition structure can yield substantial per-credit savings for families. Body: The presenter said UW-Green Bay makes admission decisions and provides student-support coaches who monitor participants and work with school counselors; the district supplies program criteria and handles billing logistics. The district noted that students in a self-pay option are charged a reduced per-credit rate (reported in the presentation as $128.65 per credit) compared with a standard college tuition rate cited at $362.50 per credit, and that all ECCP participants receive up to 18 credits covered by the program. "The district currently in our memorandum of understanding pays…$128.65 per credit hour as opposed to a traditional student attending is $362.50," the presenter said. The presenter added that from the program’s inception through the class of 2022, only one participant had not continued with postsecondary education, and that UW-Green Bay’s enrollment support has been consistent and active. Committee members asked how students take classes (on campus, evenings or at high school) and whether AP offerings overlap; presenters said students can take courses on campus or at night and that the district still offers a robust AP program. Ending: The committee heard that the program is oversubscribed and that UW-Green Bay’s partnership and coaching are central to student success; staff said they will continue to administer the program and manage self-pay enrollments and reimbursements.