Wisconsin Lutheran High School: A Model of Holistic, Student-Centered Education in the Midwest

Wisconsin Lutheran High School (WLHS) was the seventh stop on our school tour and marked the first school visit in Wisconsin. The state is home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison, one of the top 15 public universities in the U.S., particularly renowned for its programs in engineering, business, and life sciences. Wisconsin offers cost-effective educational resources, with lower tuition fees at public universities compared to the East and West Coasts, and abundant scholarship opportunities. K-12 education in the state ranks among the best nationwide, especially in STEM. Its friendly communities, high acceptance of international students, and a well-established Chinese student community make it an ideal destination for Chinese students.

Wisconsin Lutheran High School is a prime example of this fertile educational ground. With a long history and a forward-thinking philosophy, the school stands out for its academic quality, student services, and exceptional care for international students.

As our bus approached the school, we noticed a striking campus sign at the entrance that prominently displayed the school's educational vision: "Where Success Means More." On the right-hand side of the entrance was a spacious sports field where students were actively engaged in practice under the clear blue sky. A large Starbucks was conveniently located right next to the school parking lot.

Eric, the Director of International Student Program, personally greeted our GE team at the entrance. As we entered the building, the entire admissions team—comprising five to six staff members—and Principal Mr. Landon Zacharias warmly welcomed each member of our group with handshakes and hugs. Eric has been with WLHS for nine years and has participated in GE's Latin American principal delegation and the GE Convention held in Phuket. He is very familiar with and supportive of GE.

To welcome us, the school arranged a dedicated meeting room and thoughtfully prepared welcome bags, snacks, coffee, and refreshments for every visitor from GE.

After a brief rest in the meeting room, Eric invited the school’s reception team to introduce themselves. Greg, GE's Head of Global Communications, introduced the GE delegation. The principal of the high school then gave a comprehensive presentation about the school and even listed all current and past students who had been placed at WLHS through GE—dozens of names in total.

We then toured the campus. The main hallway was lined with lockers for student use. Every stairway was equipped with ramps for accessibility, ensuring an inclusive environment for all students.

Our first stop was the school’s large rehearsal rooms, where students were in the middle of music practice and even gave us an impromptu performance. WLHS offers over 150 courses, including a robust arts curriculum that features music, visual arts, drama, and applied arts. Music programs include marching band, steel drum band, and handbell choir. Students also participate in annual fall plays and spring musicals, often with over 100 participants.

We continued our tour to visit the communication center, culinary classroom, sewing room, woodworking and welding shops, cafeteria, and gym. Students have access to all these resources to pursue their interests and skills.

Due to the large student body—over 900 students—lunch is served in two separate shifts.

The school has three indoor gymnasiums, and the indoor activity center can seat over a thousand people. Students gather here daily for devotions. The annual basketball tournament is a major event that draws a large crowd, including parents.

WLHS is particularly strong in athletics. The basketball team frequently wins state championships, and the school’s e-sports program is rapidly developing, with some students earning college scholarships through competitive gaming. Different sports are offered across fall, winter, and spring seasons. The school’s modern sports facilities and vibrant athletic culture provide students with opportunities to develop physical fitness and build lasting friendships..

Next, we toured the dormitories. Both male and female students live in a large residence hall, with girls on the third floor and boys on the second. Each floor has its own laundry room with free access, and students use keycard access to enter their designated floors..

Angela Horner, the dorm life advisor, speaks fluent Chinese and lived in Shanghai for five years, enabling her to communicate seamlessly with Chinese students. Six staff members supervise the dorms, with one male and one female staff member on duty each day.

Mr. Doug Hart oversees all dormitory operations, including discipline, staffing, and medical services, while Ms. Horner is in charge of organizing dorm activities. Student schedules are well-structured, with designated evening study hours. High-achieving students may study independently, while others receive academic support in study rooms. Dorm activities are diverse and engaging, ranging from dorm meetings and attending Milwaukee Bucks games to kayaking on the Mississippi River. Students may also join the Dorm Activity Committee to help plan events like ping pong tournaments and arts-and-crafts nights.

After the dorm tour, we returned to the meeting room for a well-prepared dinner provided by the school. Following dinner, we attended a student panel. Two students—Solete Barado and Rodrigo, both placed at WLHS through GE—shared their personal experiences.

They spoke about their academic journeys, friendships, and overall impressions of school life. They noted that the teachers not only provided academic guidance but also offered care and support in daily life. The school actively welcomes student feedback, including suggestions on dining options and activity diversity, and continues to improve accordingly.

After the student sharing session, the entire GE team joined school staff for a group photo. As a final highlight, we were invited to watch the school’s girls’ soccer match. During the game, we met the athletic coach, who gave us an overview of the school’s sports programs. At the end of the day, the school arranged transportation to escort our team to the hotel.

As we left, we felt deeply moved by WLHS’s sincere welcome and strong support for GE and Chinese students. With its outstanding facilities, forward-thinking curriculum, and caring faculty, WLHS is a truly exceptional boarding school in the Midwest—offering high value, robust support systems, and an inclusive, multicultural environment where every student can define and pursue their own version of success.