Student Opportunities
PTA Council Scholarship
Each year the Racine PTA Council awards a number of $1,000 scholarships to college-bound high school seniors. Applications are distributed in January and due in March. For an application, contact the PTSA president. In 2007, two Walden students, Laura Schulz and Zach Rezk, were awarded scholarships. Congratulations, Laura and Zach!
Youth Options Program
Juniors and seniors are eligible to take classes at UW-Parkside, Gateway, and other locations with the tuition covered by the district. It's a great opportunity!
Official Youth Options Information
The Youth Options Program is a state program that provides the opportunity for students to enroll in classes off-campus. It:
- Allows eleventh and twelfth grade students to enroll in one or more nonsectarian courses at a University of Wisconsin campus or center, a Wisconsin Technical College System campus, or a private, nonprofit college located in the state.
- Provides that post secondary admittance be contingent on meeting entrance requirements and the availability of space.
- Requires the Racine Unified School District to determine what, if any, high school credits are to be awarded to the student. Only courses which do not duplicate course work in his/her home school may be approved. Students may appeal the district's decision to the State Superintendent. All appeals must be made within 30 days. Failure to meet the 30-day deadline deprives the DPI of jurisdiction. Requires a pupil application and notification process so that school district and postsecondary planning and reporting may take place.
For postsecondary courses taken for high school credit, the student's school district is required to pay the actual cost of tuition, fees, books and other necessary material directly related to the courses. (Transportation costs may also be reimbursed for low-income families.)
The school district is not responsible for tuition for non-approved courses.
The RUSD website has a PDF file that includes a listing of current Unified courses and information about the Youth Options program.
Applications for enrollment must be made by March 1 for the fall semester, and by October 1, for courses to be taken during the spring semester.
How to Enroll
Information regarding the process and procedures for the youth options program is available from Katie, the guidance counselor. Katie strongly recommends that the student and/or the parents call to set up an appointment with her to discuss eligibility and options. (Call the Walden office at 664-6250 and ask for Katie McCauley.) She has appointments during the day and she is often available during conferences. It is also possible to schedule an appointment before school.
If you have questions or want to learn more, contact Katie at 664-6250.