Scholarships
Seniors should check out MMSD's directory of local scholarships by logging into Xello (access via ClassLink) and clicking on "College Resources." This scholarship list is continually being updated as we find out about local scholarships. Students can also save a list of scholarships they wish to apply to and track their application progress in Xello.
West High Scholarships
West High School Scholarships
West offers a number of scholarships to graduating students. The West HS scholarship application will be shared with seniors via email on January 12th, 2022 and the deadline to apply will be February 4th, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. The application will also be posted on the West counseling website on January 12th.
What is it? Each year, many local organizations and individuals generously provide approximately 45 scholarships for West Seniors. Each scholarship donor determines the criteria for their scholarship. The criteria vary widely, but may include one or more of the following: academic achievement, leadership, school/community service, athletic achievement, financial need, special interests/talents, personal character, or intended area of study.
Who can Apply? ALL SENIORS who have attended high school in the Madison Metropolitan School District for a minimum of three (3) full semesters. The 8th, or final, semester must be at West. West students at Early College STEM Academy are eligible to apply. In addition, seniors must complete and submit the West High Scholarship application to be considered for these scholarships.
Madison College Scholars of Promise
MADISON COLLEGE SCHOLARS OF PROMISE
We can help pay your college tuition!
The Scholars of Promise program provides low-income, graduating high school students an opportunity to access a college education without worrying about how to pay for it.
Program benefits include:
- Tuition Assistance: We cover tuition and fee costs that grants and scholarships do not for up to six consecutive semesters - summers excluded.
- Mentorship: Work with a mentor your first year, become a mentor your second year.
- Financial Aid Application Assistance: Dedicated support through focused application completion workshops.
- Academic Support: Academic advising and career counseling focused on SoP students.
- Volunteer Opportunities: Our newsletter helps you complete the required eight hours of service per term.
- Promise to Promise: Direct college transfer opportunities with UW-Madison's Scholars of Promise program.
ACT Information
All West Juniors will be able to take the ACT at school on March 8th, 2022. This is a Junior-only school day.
The ACT is a national college admissions test that is accepted by all four-year colleges and universities in the U.S. The test covers four subject areas: English, mathematics, reading and science. The ACT + Writing test includes a 40-minute writing section.
LOOKING FOR FREE ACT TEST PREP?
ACT Academy on the ACT website also provides FREE test prep. You can sign up for an account HERE
National Honors Society
The purpose of this organization is “to recognize academic achievement while developing characteristics essential to citizens living in a democracy.” These qualities include leadership skills, good character and commitment to public service. At West, NHS is service-oriented. NHS puts on fall and spring blood drives and does other service projects to improve the West community. They promote service among younger students.
In the spring of each year a new group of members is added at a formal initiation ceremony. All NHS members are expected to follow the NHS honor code, the Madison Metropolitan School District Behavior Education Plan and MMSD Athletic Code. NHS members who have been “active” and have participated in at least two NHS sponsored service projects each semester will have a NHS insignia on their diploma. Membership in the National Honor Society is NOT AUTOMATIC and is not determined by 3.5 GPA alone. Eligible students will receive a letter inviting them to join NHS in early March 2022.
The number of service hours required to apply to NHS in 2022 is 45 hours.
Find out more about NHS at West Here
"The College Tour" Streaming Series
Each episode of The College Tour will focus on a single college or university.
From campus life, academics, housing, sports, activities, and much more… each student driven segment will give young people an inside look at what it’s truly like being a student at the featured college or university.
Join us for a truly one-of-a-kind series featuring colleges and universities in a way they have never been seen before!
The College Tour app is available across all major technology platforms so it can be seen by anyone, anywhere.
Learn more about the specific platforms HERE.
UW HELP: Budgeting & Financial Aid Presentation
BUDGETING AND FINANCIAL AID https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_m38FiVg_SKqq3NMfFIURLg
High School Science Research Internship Program
Application deadline is January 12, 2022.
The High School Research Intern Program is an exciting opportunity for students to conduct authentic scientific research alongside a mentor from a UW research lab during the summer months.
Program internships are completed over a duration of 9-11 weeks during the summer, with a commitment for approximately 20-25 hours each week. Hours and days are usually somewhat flexible within each lab setting.
Interns also participate in Seminar Sessions throughout the summer experience, where students receive support with the requirements of the program and build connections between this opportunity and their future goals.
Additional information and Application links here.
NCAA Webinar for College-Bound Athletes
Student-athletes are encouraged to join the NCAA Eligibility Center on Tuesday, Jan. 11, at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time for their webinar for college-bound student-athletes and their families.
Students will learn about the latest initial-eligibility news, requirements they must meet to be ready when they get to campus, and the best resources for them as they pursue their dreams of studying and competing at an NCAA Division I or II school.
Webinar Registration
Early College Credit Options
MMSD’s goal is for every student to graduate college, career, and community ready. Students who participate in early college credit opportunities before graduating from high school are more likely to enter, persist, and complete a post-high school program. The greatest benefit of early college credit is that students both start college better prepared and they accumulate college credits which assist in graduating college on-time or early while saving money on the overall college costs. Early college credit can take many forms.
Interested students and families are encouraged to view the program specifics as well as the required application form on the MMSD Early College Credit webpage.
Start College Now (SCN) allows high school students the opportunity to take college courses at Wisconsin Technical Colleges.
IMPORTANT DEADLINE: Students looking to take courses in the fall semester must turn in the application to their high school counselor by March 1 (district notification to students of approval/denial by April 15).
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The Early College Credit Program (ECCP) allows high school students the opportunity to take college courses at Wisconsin public (University of Wisconsin) and private universities.
IMPORTANT DEADLINE: Students looking to take coursework over the summer term need to submit their application to their high school counselor prior to February 1 (district notification to students of approval/denial by March 15).
IMPORTANT DEADLINE: Students looking to take courses in the fall semester must turn in the application to their high school counselor by March 1 (district notification to students of approval/denial by April 15).
End of 1st Semester: Bridge Week January 19 & 20
The primary purpose of Bridge Days is to provide the opportunity for students with D or F grades to revise or re-do key assessments. Attendance for all students is required on January 18th. Students with Ds or Fs in any class are invited to attend Bridge Days in the morning on January 19th and 20th. Ask your teacher about specific assessments to focus on as we finish the semester strong!
2022-23 Course Selection
Beginning Monday, January 31 students in each grade level will hear course selection presentations from school counselors and receive their course card.
Students will talk with teachers, guardians and counselors and make their course selections by February 7th.
Students will input course requests into Infinite Campus with their class during the week of February 7th.
All course requests must be entered by Feb. 11th, 2022.
UW Madison Pharmacy Summer Program
The Pharmacy Summer Program (PSP), hosted by the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Pharmacy, aims to give high school students who are traditionally underrepresented in healthcare the opportunity to learn about careers in pharmacy, our PharmD program, and to become familiar with the UW–Madison campus.
At this time, PSP plans to run in 2022 as a residential, in-person program on the UW–Madison campus pending approval by campus leadership. Final decisions regarding the format for youth programs are made by campus leadership. The PSP director will notify all families of any changes to our program as soon as information becomes available.
Registration will be open from December 1, 2021 to January 17, 2022 at 12:59 PM CST.
During this five-day residential camp students will learn from practicing pharmacists, current UW–Madison pharmacy students and PharmD admissions representatives through immersive activities to learn about the Pharmacy profession and Pharmacy school admissions processes.
Students who participate will:
- Learn about the pharmacy profession and career paths available to graduates with a PharmD degree
- Have opportunities to learn from practicing pharmacists
- Access tools and resources to become a competitive applicant for pharmacy schools
- Gain a familiarity with the UW–Madison campus, admissions processes, and financing options for undergraduate and professional (PharmD) education
- Connect regularly with the program director and PharmD student leaders throughout the duration of the program
Common Wealth Job Training Info
Youth-Business Mentoring Program
CommonWealth Development is excited to be continuing to support the youth who participated in YBMP this fall. We have had some amazing students participate in our virtual sessions and many are well on their way to starting at their first job!
Some of the topics that youth learned through this training include:
- How to find and apply for a job
- Interviewing skills
- Financial literacy (including topics such as budgeting and credit)
- Wellness in the workplace and personal branding
We are excited to share some information about the New Year! We have five YBMP sessions scheduled for the spring. If you or someone you know have a youth between the ages of 14 – 17 years old who are looking to learn more about how to be successful in the workforce and start a job, please consider applying!
In-person training is held Monday through Friday, from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm for two weeks at designated schools. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, we are holding some of these trainings via Zoom ONLY. Virtual trainings are held Monday through Friday, from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm for two weeks. For virtual trainings, youth must have access to a computer with a camera and internet access.
To apply, a youth must submit a youth application and have their parent or guardian submit the permission form. The links to the forms can be found on our website:
https://www.cwd.org/youth-development/youth-business-mentoring/
Once applications are submitted, a staff member will follow up with the applicant to discuss next steps. While we do accept applications on a rolling basis, there are specific deadlines applications must be turned in by to attend a specific training session.
8th grade virtual parent night for incoming freshmen
January 24, 2022 - 8th Grade Family Virtual Presentation will be released and a link will be posted on the Incoming Freshman Info webpage (click on button below). Topics include transition to West, the course selection process, and 9th grade course offerings.
This event is for incoming/prospective Parents & Students transitioning from 8th to 9th grade.
