News

College and career planning can feel overwhelming. From choosing the right classes to figuring out financial aid, the process involves many moving parts—and it’s easy to miss key steps without a clear guide. That’s where the ACT How to Prepare for College & Career website comes in.

As we approach the second half of the second semester this year, it's important to stay focused on your Academic and Career Planning (ACP) to ensure a smooth transition into senior year and beyond. Your ACP process is designed to guide you through the stages of Know, Explore, Plan, and Go, with special emphasis on Plan and Go during your junior and senior years. The spring and summer months are crucial for preparing you to take full ownership of your future, so here's a checklist to help you make the most of your time:

WLC is hosting four distinct Summer Science Camps designed to give students in grades 6–12 real-world experience in professional lab settings. Students interested in healthcare, forensic investigation, or the chemistry of food, will get expert-led discovery that goes well beyond the standard classroom curriculum.

Seniors, your Academic and Career Planning journey—Know, Explore, Plan, and Go—has prepared you for this exciting new chapter in your life. Over the final months of school, Student Services wants to remind you of important details this spring to ensure a smooth transition into college, career, or the workforce.

Seniors, as you finalize your post-secondary plans, please notify WLHS of your college decision and submit your request for a final transcript through Xello no later than May 19. Timely submission is essential to ensure your transcript is sent to the institution you will be attending. Directions on how to do this are found here. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Mrs. Tesch in Student Services.

WELS Campus Ministry, a ministry of WELS Home Missions, provides resources, support, and encouragement to WELS congregations that serve college students around the United States and Canada. These congregations are vital in connecting college students with fellow Christians, strengthening their faith with the gospel message, and encouraging them to share that faith with other college students. 

Several students interested in military service after high school met with Pastor Horn last school year. Pastor Horn serves as the WELS chaplain to the military. Those who are interested in military services can register here to connect with WELS Military Ministry. Weekly devotionals for military personnel can be found here. 

Advance CTE has launched Industry Sector Profiles to enhance its Career Clusters® Framework. These profiles offer up-to-date labor market data and insights across 14 Career Clusters and 72 Sub-Clusters, helping students, educators, and advisors connect education to real-world careers. Explore the resource at Advance CTE Resource Center.

The 2026 Spring Pop-Up Store for official WLHS Viking apparel is now open! Don't miss your chance to gear up—click here to shop online. The store closes on Sunday, March 15, just in time to cheer on our Vikings throughout the spring sports season. Shipping is available nationwide, and it's free when you choose "Ship to Your School" and pick up your order at Wisconsin Lutheran High School.

Items rotate with each pop-up shop, so be sure to browse and see what's new this season!

As temperatures begin to warm, we want to remind families of our after-school expectations. When the temperature is 50 degrees or warmer, students who are waiting for a ride must remain outside the building unless they have prior approval to be in a supervised area. Our policy states that students who are not involved in a scheduled after-school activity must leave the building by 3:10 p.m.

• MPCP & WPCP contracts: Due March 6
• SNSP & Tuition contracts: Due March 15
• The enrollment deposit does not apply to MPCP, WPCP, and SNSP students
• All families must complete an enrollment contract.

On March 3, one hundred WLHS students had the opportunity to explore exciting career pathways at the Discover Health Care Expo in the Waukesha and Milwaukee region.

The Following is an update on the calls that were received and extended at WLHS:

• Mr. Joe Janke ('08) and his wife Christy returned their calls to Divine Savior Academy (Sienna, TX).
• Mr. Quinten Petersen returned his call to Fox Valley Lutheran High School (Appleton, WI)

WLHS Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) is proud to partner with the Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative (MHVI) for Phase 2 of our 2026 Community Service Project—Wheels for Warriors. From March 9–18, we are collecting gently used bikes with a goal of donating 100 bicycles to veterans in need. MHVI repairs donated bikes and distributes them to homeless veterans and, in some cases, to the children of homeless veterans.

The Medical College of Wisconsin hosts several programs that support learners in their academic and professional journeys in medicine and biomedical science, providing opportunities to engage with their institution. Working with students as early as middle school through medical or graduate school, these programs are offered during both the academic year and summer. Click here to learn more and apply for programs in health science and medical career pathways.

Mark your calendars now to register for a summer of innovative learning with UW–Madison Badger Precollege! Designed for students completing grades 4–12, Badger Precollege supports educational and social growth by fostering curiosity and expanding academic interests. Each of our summer programs offers classes in a variety of subjects — ranging from engineering, computer science and business to music, art and law — and is held on the UW–Madison campus for commuter and/or residential students.

Regardless of their choice, students will enjoy an engaging and challenging academic experience, learn more about the college experience and meet new friends — all at a top-ranked university. Explore all Badger Precollege summer 2026 classes at the link below. Choose a subject you already know and love, or pick something new to explore in a low-risk environment.

The application period for all summer programs opens on January 12, 2026. Classes fill up on a first-come, first-served basis, so identify your favorites now and apply early to secure your spot. Please click here to learn more and apply.

• The enrollment deposit does not apply to MPCP or WPCP students.
• All families must complete an enrollment contract.
• MPCP and WPCP enrollment contracts are due by Friday, March 6.
• SNSP and Tuition enrollment contracts are due by Sunday, March 15.

The Wisco community recently enjoyed a festive Global New Year celebration highlighting cultures from around the world. The annual event brought together international students, American student mentors, faculty, and host families for an evening centered on global cuisine, cultural exchange, and friendship.

Four WLHS wrestlers qualified to compete at the 2026 WIAA Individual State Championships. Congratulations to Reina Ebeling ('28), Izabella Riebe ('26), Aaron Seavert ('26), and Za'veir Weems ('26). All of these wrestlers will be competing at the Kohl Center (601 W. Dayton Street) in Madison. Matches begin on Thursday, February 26. Click here for the full schedule of events. Go Vikings!

Winter break is next Thursday and Friday, March 5 & 6. There will be no school those days. School office hours will be 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Classes resume on Monday, March 9.

Method Learning provides students with support for the ACT, Digital SAT, and Financial Literacy. Every students has a free Methodize account through their Xello account. For information on how to access Methodize and other dashboard resources on Xello please click here.

Open enrollment for the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP) and the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP) is going on now. All current WLHS families participating in MPCP and WPCP must re-apply online each year at the link here. MPCP and WPCP families can email documents to choice@wlhs.org. Open enrollment closes Friday, February 20. For more information about MPCP and WPCP, click here.

Congratulations to our seniors Jeremiah Alejandro, Annalise Kuehn, and Eloise Lambrecht who have advanced to National Merit Finalist standing. Jeremiah, Annalise, and Eloise are now in the top ten percent of the more than 1.5 million students who initially entered the National Merit Scholarship Competition their junior year.

The win at Pius on February 17 marked a record-setting milestone for the Vikings basketball program, as Head Coach Ryan Walz ('92) became the all-time leader in coaching wins with his 364th victory. He surpasses Glenn Raasch ('48), who recorded 363 wins over 31 seasons from 1956–1987. In 18 seasons at Wisco, Coach Walz has compiled an extraordinary 364–98 record, good for a .787 winning percentage.

WLHS students in the Schools2Skills program, part of our partnership with the Waukesha County Business Alliance, recently experienced a day of career-focused learning in the medical field. Students toured Carroll University to explore collegiate life and medical education, then visited Froedtert Medical Lab to see firsthand how pathology and diagnostic science support lifesaving work. By connecting university study with real-world clinical practice, the trip gave students a clearer picture of future opportunities in the sciences. Thank you to the Waukesha County Business Alliance, Carroll University, and Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin for making this experience possible.

On February 13, theology department coordinator Ben Carlovsky led 27 WLHS students to serve at Culture Day at St. John’s Lutheran School in Milwaukee. The celebration highlights ethnic diversity while reminding students that, though we come from many backgrounds, we are united as one body in Christ.

The new international students and American mentors enjoyed a fun evening of snow tubing at Crystal Ridge in Franklin, Wisconsin.

From Shanghai to WLHS to the University of Illinois, Class of 2025 alum Terry recently visited and reflected on what made his WLHS experience a life-changing one.

Ready to make a life-saving impact? Sign up for the Wisco Blood Drive on Tuesday, February 24 here or Thursday, February 25 here in the WLHS atrium. Registration is open through the day of the drive. Each donation can help save up to three lives — a simple act that makes a powerful difference.

WLHS celebrated Black History Month on February 11 with a school-wide assembly centered on the theme Rebuilding Our Legacy — Standing on the Roots, honoring the 100th anniversary of Black History Month. Assistant Principal CL Whiteside ('06) opened the program with a meaningful message about Jesus being the roots and foundation for us all, setting the tone for a celebration of history, hope, and positive change. Students shared their talents through songs, original poetry, step and dance performances, gospel choir, and other creative presentations. We are truly blessed to celebrate the many cultures represented within our student body and the gifts they bring to Wisco.

There is no school for students on Presidents’ Day, Monday, February 16, as teachers will be participating in professional development. School offices will have limited hours that day.

Six WLHS math students recently attended an Actuarial Science Career Day hosted by Northwestern Mutual and Milliman. The event gave students an inside look at a profession that blends mathematics, statistics, and business to assess risk and guide financial decision-making. Through interactive workshops and conversations with professional actuaries, students learned about career paths, college preparation, and the growing demand for professionals in the field.

The following is an update on the calls that were received and extended at WLHS:

• Mr. Ben Carlovsky returned his call to Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School (New Ulm, MN)
• Ms. Abigail Bosin returned our call to teach Spanish.

We want our school meal program to be the best it can be. Our food service partner, Taher, is inviting students and parents to complete a brief survey by clicking here. Thank you in advance for taking a few minutes to share your feedback and help Taher better serve our school.

A group of students recently attended an Actuarial Science Career Day hosted by Northwestern Mutual and Milliman, two major firms in the financial and insurance industries. The event provided an in-depth look at the actuarial profession, offering students valuable insights into career paths that blend mathematics, statistics, and business. During the visit, students had the opportunity to engage with professional actuaries, learn about risk management, and participate in interactive workshops that demonstrated real-world applications of actuarial science. Industry experts shared their experiences, discussed the importance of analytical skills in decision-making, and provided guidance on college programs and certifications needed to become an actuary.

• All materials and instruction
• Food and drinks
• A $10 donation to the Viking Annual Fund, supporting tuition assistance and student programs

Direct Admit Wisconsin allows eligible students to be automatically admitted to participating Wisconsin colleges based on their high school academic record, without completing a traditional application. Families simply opt in, and students receive admission offers they can review and choose from later — with no obligation to enroll. School Counselors have met with juniors this semester to explain the program in detail.

Parents of current juniors should complete the opt-in/opt-out form in onCampus (top banner). This form must be submitted by Sunday, March 1 in order to participate in the program. Students who do not meet the deadline will not be eligible for Direct Admit. WLHS will submit transcripts this summer for students who opt in by March 1.

Note the following information and sessions offered by the state of Wisconsin:

Explore self-guided courses with Christian Family Solutions designed for families and accessible to all! CFS clinicians provide educational programs on topics related to mental health, relationships, parenting, and other topics related to navigating life in this world. These programs available to you online. Sign up today by clicking here and start learning at your own pace. 

One of the blessings of a WLHS education is the opportunity to support WELS missions both at home and abroad. On February 2, following chapel, Campus Pastor Phil Huebner (’99) announced this summer’s United States mission trips. All students are welcome to apply, with preference given to upperclassmen. Applications—including the student/parent form and liability release—are due Monday, February 9, at 3:00 p.m.

Tentative locations & dates (finalized after airline tickets are reserved):

This week School Counselors in junior Theology classes are delivering The Resilience Project which teaches young adults about how to overcome setbacks and challenges in life. The Resilience Project which is part of the WLHS School Wellness Plan is offered in partnership with Christian Family Solutions who has developed the six part series to assist WELS High Schools. If you would like to learn more, click here or reach out to your child's school counselor.

February marks National Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, celebrating high school programs that prepare students for high-demand careers. CTE offers hands-on training in fields like business, education, entertainment, healthcare, technology, manufacturing, and skilled trades, providing students with technical skills and industry certifications that make them job-ready after graduation, and helps bridge the gap between education and workforce needs.

National School Counseling Week 2026 (#NSCW26) is Feb. 2-6, 2026, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems. The theme is: School Counselors Amplify Student Success.

National School Counseling Week, presented by ASCA, highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. From providing guidance on career choices to helping students navigate personal challenges, school counselors are integral to a well-rounded educational experience.

2026 Winter Festival of Lanterns was a glowing success! Despite the shortened week and cold spell, students still enjoyed a great lineup of dress-up days, games, and school spirit. At the Festival pep rally, our cheer, dance, and step teams put on outstanding performances, classes competed for the loudest battle cry, and our basketball, wrestling, and swim teams were introduced. Senior Anthony Brown was crowned Festival King. The celebration wrapped up with a varsity boys basketball win against Pius on Thursday night and the Festival dance in the main gym on Saturday.

• Classes 1–4 exams: Wednesday, May 20
• Classes 5–8 exams: Thursday, May 21

2026 Open Enrollment starts on Monday, February 2, for all families wishing to utilize the Milwaukee (MPCP) or Wisconsin (WPCP) Parental Choice Programs for the 2026-27 school year.

Step right up and try your luck at over 45 fun games! Wisconsin Lutheran High School will be hosting the Kids Carnival on Sunday, February 15, from 1:00-3:30 p.m. Children age 3 through third grade are invited to play games, meet live animals, and participate in other fun activities. Carnival tokens and wristbands can be purchased at the door, or online by clicking here.

At the pep rally on Thursday, January 22, one of these three senior boys will be crowned as the 2026 Festival King. Pictured left to right are: Andrew Belott, Zavier Zens, and Anthony Brown. They will be escorted by Claire Paschke, Magdalene Mellock, and Zaniyah Valentine, respectively.

Get ready, Vikings! Join us for the 2026 Winter Festival Pep Rally in the WLHS Main Gym on Thursday, January 22 at 2:18 p.m. Classes will dismiss at 2:14 p.m. so we can come together for an all-school celebration, ending at 3:00 p.m. We’ll follow our pep rally schedule found here. Parents are welcome—just be prepared for lots of school spirit (and a little noise)!

• Teachers will post assignments or activities in onCampus OR via E-mail by 7:45 a.m. for the scheduled rotation day.
• Assignments must be completed and submitted by 3:00 p.m. that same day.
• Attendance will be recorded by 3:00 p.m. based on assignment submission.

• Students will be marked present for a class if they submit their assignments/activities by 3:00 p.m.
• Students will be marked unexcused absent for a class if assignments are not submitted by the deadline.
• To be prepared, students should take their Chromebook and charger home along with other needed school materials, such as textbooks or notebooks, on Thursday, January 22.

WLHS varsity football players are loving their January Reading Buddies tour! Throughout January, the Wisco football team has partnered with our WLHS Conference Elementary Schools for the Reading Buddy Program.  The team is visiting a total of 14 grade schools. So far they've visited Christ-St. Peter, Mt. Calvary, Zion - South Milwaukee, St. John's - Mukwonago, Pilgrim, St. Marcus, Living Hope, St. John's - Milwaukee, and Risen Savior. Stay tuned to see if they visit your school next!

Parents of seniors—celebrate your student with a senior recognition ad in this year’s WLHS yearbook! Recognition ads are a meaningful way to highlight achievements, honor milestones, and share well-wishes as your senior wraps up their high school journey. Ads are purchased and created online through Jostens (please do not send materials to the school). Ad sizes range from 1/8 page to full page, and all orders must be placed by Thursday, February 12. Click here for content guidelines as well as directions for submitting your ad. Questions? Contact Ms. Candace Greupink, yearbook advisor, at candace.greupink@wlhs.org.

Students in grades 6-12 were invited to the WLHS Trades Fair on January 21, where a wide range of skilled trade and tech colleges were in attendance for questions, discovery, and demonstrations. Students were invited to explore hands-on activities such as welding and electrical circuit projects. Discussions with industry professionals provided valuable insights into the recommended career paths for students' specific area of interest. We thank our local businesses who took part in the trades fair, including:

Reality Store, our annual financial literacy event, takes place on Tuesday, March 17, from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. To give our seniors an opportunity to learn about wise stewardship of their time and resources, we are in need of volunteers on this date. Those with experience in the areas of insurance and cars are helpful, but we have many areas where life experience is valuable when working with our young people. If you can spare a few hours of time, please contact Mr. Jason Goede at jason.goede@wlhs.org.

• Teachers will post assignments or activities in onCampus by 7:45 a.m. for the scheduled rotation day.
• Assignments must be completed and submitted by 3:00 p.m. on the same day.
• Attendance will be recorded by 3:00 p.m. based on assignment submission.

• Students are marked present if they submit their assignments or activities by 3:00 p.m.
• Students are marked unexcused absent if assignments are not submitted by the deadline.

As a convenience to our families, Blackbaud Tuition Management provides year-end statements that list payments made to a family's Tuition Management account for the 2025 calendar year and includes the required tax ID number for Wisconsin Lutheran. Access your statement by logging in to your account through onCampus here, click on Resources, then Smart Tuition. From there you can click on "Family Year-End Statement" which will trigger a PDF download to your computer. If you have any questions, contact Ms. Katie Lindemann at katie.lindemann@wlhs.org.

Looking to crush the ACT, ace your college essays, and get expert help applying to colleges and scholarships– all for FREE? Wisconsin Lutheran High School is proud to partner with College Possible Wisconsin, which is now accepting applications for their college prep program! Join a community of motivated students and get personalized support with everything from financial aid to finding your perfect college fit. Sessions happen once or twice a week during your free period or after school. It's flexible and designed with you in mind. Spots are limited, so don’t wait! Apply now and take the first step toward your college dreams! https://collegepossible.tfaforms.net/60?tfa_19=Wisconsin

College Possible is hosting a virtual parent information night on February 11. Please click here to learn more!

Wisconsin Lutheran High School is pleased to announce the academic top ten for the Class of 2026:

1. Jeremiah Alejandro (St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church & School, Wauwatosa)
2. Christina Retherford (St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church & School, Cudahy)
3. Eliana Enslen (Christ Ev. Lutheran Church & School, Big Bend)
4. Annalise Kuehn (St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church & School, Wauwatosa)
5. Luke Carlovsky (St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church & School, Milwaukee)
6. Eloise Lambrecht (St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Oak Creek & St. Jacobi Lutheran School, Greenfield)
7. Finley Gospodarek (St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Wauwatosa & St. Jacobi Lutheran School, Greenfield)
8. Yi Jia (Joey) Gu (International)
9. Brenna Valerio (Christ Ev. Lutheran Church, Pewaukee & Christ the Lord Lutheran School, Brookfield)
10. Andrew Belott (Bethlehem Ev. Lutheran Church & School, Menomonee Falls)

There is no school on Monday, January 19, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The school building will be closed and offices will have limited hours. Students involved in co-curriculars should check with their coaches or advisors for practice times.

Wisconsin Lutheran High School achieved a gold medal in the college credit category of the 2025 Advanced Placement Honor Roll Progress Report. This award reflects the outstanding number of students who scored three or higher on their AP exams. We are incredibly grateful to our dedicated AP teachers and hardworking students, whose commitment and effort played a crucial role in this success. Rigorous AP courses combined with impressive scores prepare our students for future academic endeavors and also allow them to earn valuable college credit.

Current juniors and seniors can click here to learn more about a great opportunity in the summer of 2026 to get exposure to a career in the trades!

An E-mail invite was sent to parents on Tuesday, January 13, to set up Xello family accounts. This email was sent to families who are new or did not set up a family account. This email invite came directly from Xello rather than a WLHS email. If you have any questions regarding Xello Family, click here or reach out to Xello support at help@xello.world.

As we enter the new calendar year, we welcome two new international students who are joining the Wisconsin Lutheran High School family at the start of the spring semester.

Click here to view the list of first semester Honor Roll recipients. Please join us in congratulating these students for their diligence, dedication, and hard work.