ABOUT
Giving students the knowledge and skills to pursue their passions, interests, and future.

The Empower Academy is a learning community designed to help freshmen and sophomore students experience success early in their high school career. Engaging and authentic learning opportunities are provided for students by integrating core classes and utilizing alternative instructional strategies. All Empower Academy students receive the Oshkosh West guaranteed and viable curriculum that covers all course level Power Standards.
A team of enthusiastic and encouraging staff members work to prioritize relationships and connect classroom lessons to the students’ day-today world. Students learn how to think critically, solve problems, work in teams, and make presentations. These are skills that students need to be successful now and in the future.
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Scheduling
Empower Academy coursework takes place during a multi-period morning block in which students participate in interdisciplinary learning with the Empower faculty, consisting of an English, Science, Math, Social Studies, and Special Education teacher. Students also participate in "Empower Hour," which provides a small group setting for students to receive additional academic support, and build life and career skills. In the afternoon, students take elective courses following the normal OWHS class schedule.
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Credits
Successful students will acquire up to 7 credits per year toward their high school graduation requirements. Students will have the opportunity to earn 1 credit each in Social Studies, English, Math, and Science. After the successful completion of both freshmen and sophomore year, Empower students will have earned credit in the following courses: English 1 & 2, Algebra A & 1, US History & World Cultures, and Biology & Physical Science. Empower students also earn a ¼ credit per semester for successful participation in Empower Hour. These additional credit opportunities give students a "head start" as they enter their junior and senior years.
Who is Empower for?
Empower is for 9th and 10th grade students at Oshkosh West High School who school staff has identified to be a good fit academically. Typically, these are students who have had difficulty remaining engaged in traditional classes and would benefit from a learning style that gives them ownership of their learning and prioritizes relationships. Empower students are recommended for the program by teachers, counselors, and administrators. Both academic data and student’s anecdotal information are used to select a specific group of students that would experience high levels of success with this innovative approach.