PRECOLLEGE PROGRAMS

One of the earliest records of a precollege program at UWM was the "Helping Kids Learn Program." Organized in 1967 and lasting until 1972 by "Cap-Town," an association of involved and concerned parents, the program provided inner city students with tutoring and visits to the UWM campus. The summer sessions were held at Estabrook Park with teacher volunteers from Shorewood and Whitefish Bay. The children were given academic help as well as an early taste of campus life and a look at future possibilities. During the period from 1974 to 1980, several programs were initiated at UWM, with various sources of funding. Included were the Pre-College Center and College for Kids. Using educational resources from the campus community, these programs offered enrichment possibilities and support for area students. In 1985, the Wisconsin legislature passed funding for the Pre-College Minority Scholarship Program, under the administration of the Department of Public Instruction (DPI). The objectives of this legislation were to increase the percentage of students from underrepresented backgrounds graduating from high school as well as encouraging their matriculation to institutions of higher learning. Currently, the DPI funds (or partially funds) the Pre-College Center, Mini-Courses, College for Kids, Leadership Training Institute, Cultural Enrichment, G.E.S.T., MEDAL, Health Sciences Academy, Health Sciences Honor Society, Health Careers Bridge Program, art and music programs at UWM. Upward Bound and Talent Search came to campus in 1986 and 1991. These federally funded "Trio" programs provide a wide variety of support services for students. Another federal program, Minority Research Apprentice Summer Institute (formerly known as the NIH Minority High School Research Apprenticeship Program), came to UWM in 1985. It offers an apprenticeship for gifted students from targeted populations who are interested in a career in science. Overall, the programs encompass an age group of K4 through high school. Besides the many academic programs, there are also several sports and arts enrichment classes available on campus to complete the precollege curricula. Currently, we serve well over 7,000 students every year.

PROGRAMS

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

FINE ARTS PROGRAMS

SPORTS PROGRAMS

INFORMATIONAL PROGRAMS

The precollege programs at UWM continue to be an active and viable part of the university community. We look to provide a full spectrum of opportunities -- from providing help for students who want a better future to aiding the gifted explore the range of their possibilities. Always keeping at the forefront the variety of people we have in our community as well as their changing needs, our overriding aim is to serve all to the best of our abilities. We will continue to help students explore their options and possibilities as well as providing needed support for parents and schools in their missions of education.

Click here to go back to UWM home page!!