N.E.W. School of Innovation Unveils New Space, Expands Opportunities for Students

Green Bay Area Public School District (GBAPS) and Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) are celebrating the next chapter of the N.E.W. School of Innovation, deepening a partnership that gives students earlier access to college experiences, career exploration and dual credit while strengthening pathways into higher education and future careers.

The milestone includes the opening of the school's new location on the NWTC Green Bay campus, building on a partnership designed to help students explore careers, earn college credit and envision their futures long before high school graduation.

Serving students in grades 6-12, the N.E.W. School of Innovation is a public charter school operated by GBAPS that first opened in 2018. Built around personalized learning plans designed to support students academically, socially and emotionally, the school helps students explore their interests while learning at their own pace.

Through its partnership with NWTC, students experience college early through career exploration, dual credit and college coursework -building connections between higher education and careers years before graduation.

Building on that momentum

Thanks to the support of the greater Green Bay community through the passage of the 2024 Capital Referendum, the new facility creates a permanent home for the next phase of the N.E.W. School of Innovation and its partnership with NWTC.

The new space offers N.E.W. School of Innovation a dedicated identity within the NWTC Campus while providing appropriate instructional spaces for students in grades 6-12. It also incorporates the safety and security measures found throughout GBAPS schools, creating a learning environment designed to support students now and into the future.

"The Green Bay Area Public School District is excited about this next chapter for N.E.W. School of Innovation," stated GBAPS Superintendent of Schools and Learning Michael Hernandez. "The newly renovated space at NWTC incorporates both the safety and instructional infrastructure that is vital to providing a quality educational experience for our students. In addition, our strengthened partnership with NWTC provides students with a unique learning experience that improves graduation rates and college readiness."

A partnership delivering results

Since relocating to the NWTC campus in 2022, the partnership has expanded opportunities for students while helping those experience college earlier, build confidence in their future and continue their education after high school. Today:

• More students are choosing N.E.W. School of Innovation. With enrollment increasing by 47% over the past several years, with 254 students for the 2026-27 academic year, along with a waitlist of prospective students.
• Students are graduating successfully. The school's graduation rate at 81%.
• Students are beginning their college journey earlier. In the 2025-26 academic year, 28 students earned dual credit at NWTC. Together, they earned 82 college credits, getting a head start on their college journey.

A more connected educational journey

The partnership is built on a shared belief that the path to college shouldn't begin at high school graduation. Earlier opportunities to experience college help students build confidence, explore possibilities and make more informed decisions about their future-creating a stronger foundation to achieve their educational and career goals.

For N.E.W. School of Innovation students, that journey begins early. Grades 7 through 9 explore careers through hands-on learning experiences, while students in grades 10 through 12 can earn dual credit, connect with NWTC faculty, and begin experiencing college long before graduation.

"The transition from high school to college shouldn't feel like a leap-it should feel like the natural next step," said NWTC President Dr. Kristen Raney. "When students can experience college while they're still in high school-and in this case, right here on a college campus-they build the confidence to choose the path that's right for them and begin preparing for success after graduation."

Learn more about N.E.W. School of Innovation.