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 also offers a number of scholarships to graduating students. The West HS scholarship application will be shared with seniors via email on January 11th, 2023 and the deadline to apply will be February 3rd, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. The application will also be posted on the West counseling website on January 11th.
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.
UW Help Recorded Presentations on YouTube
PREVIOUSLY RECORDED PRESENTATIONS from UW HELP (the UW Systems Schools resource)
Missed a presentation? UW HELP presentations - like the Budgeting and Financial Aid and Accessibility/Disability Services webinars as well as Application Demos - are available to watch on the UW HELP YouTube channel.
YouTube:
www.youtube.com/user/uwHelp
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 7th, 2023. 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/SAT 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 March 2023.
The number of service hours required to apply to NHS in 2023 is 45 hours.
Find out more about NHS at West Here
High School Science Research Internship Program
Application deadline is January 13, 2023.
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.
Early College STEM Academy Info Session
The Early College STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Academy is a partnership between the Madison Metropolitan School District and Madison College.
The Academy is designed to expand access to college courses in science, technology, engineering and math and to increase opportunities for students to earn college credit in high school at no cost to them or their families. Students apply during their 10th grade school year. Learn more about the Early College STEM Academy in this Curriculum Overview.
The last STEM Academy Info Session will be held via zoom on January 10, 6-7 pm
Register Here: Zoom Link
Application window closes January 27, 2023.
For more details and the application, click HERE
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).
Youth Apprenticeship Opportunities for Next School Year
Recruitment for 2023-24 Youth Apprenticeship Program is underway! Youth Apprenticeship continues to partner with the Dane County School Consortium (DCSC) with this program and are excited to announce this year’s YA Info Night Sessions.
What: Students in 10th or 11th grade interested in doing a YA their Junior or Senior year are strongly encouraged to attend one of three info sessions (listed below) to learn about program requirements, logistics, and get their questions answered. Parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to attend with their student
**students interested in Biotechnology must attend one of the info sessions to be considered due to limited capacity of the program
When: There are three sessions: 2 virtual and 1 in person at Monona Grove High School. Students must pre-register, especially for virtual sessions. Upon registration students will receive a Zoom link for the virtual session. All sessions will be held from 6:30pm - 8:00pm.
January 23 (Virtual)
February 15 (In Person at Monona Grove High School)
March 7 (Virtual)
Flyer Link w/Registration Information
If you need more information about what YA is, please check out the MMSD YA Website. Info night information and registration may also be found there.
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.
Registration will be open until January 15, 2023.
An Immersive Pharmacy Experience
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
AP Exam Information
Reminder: Deadline to submit the balance of fees is February 24, 2023
Visit http://aptsusa.com/mmsd for more information.
The late registration window is now open through February 24, 2023. Each exam ordered incurs an additional $40 late fee, as set by the College Board. This does not affect second semester only courses. If you have questions about your course, contact Tim Peterson at tpeterson2@madison.k12.wi.us.
End of 1st Semester: Bridge Week January 17-19
Bridge Week will be the end of 1st Semester to support all students the week of January 17-19, 2023. Please keep in mind these are attendance-taking days.
On these days, students will have the opportunity to:
work towards mastery of knowledge and skills not yet demonstrated as expected
receive support from staff to complete incomplete work
reflect on the learning within the class
provide staff with meaningful feedback
review material within the course curriculum
2023-24 Course Selection
Beginning the week of January 30th, students in grades 9-11 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. Completed course cards are due a week following the presentation so that students can input their course requests into Infinite Campus with their class during the week of February 6th.
All course requests must be entered by Feb. 10th, 2023.
Careful course selection is required to help adequately plan for allocation and staffing needs. Opportunities for schedule changes in 2023-24 will be limited.
Semester 2 Schedule Change Deadline
Students have through the first week of the new semester to request a schedule change with their counselor. After Friday, January 27th, students will not be allowed to begin in a new class.
Students may drop a course for a study hall through the 7th week of the semester.
8th grade virtual parent night for incoming freshmen
January 30, 2023 - 8th Grade Family Virtual Presentation will be released via an email to Incoming Freshman. Topics include transition to West, the course selection process, and 9th grade course offerings.
This information is for incoming/prospective Parents & Students transitioning from 8th to 9th grade.
