As Raccoons, we are working hard every day to be READY for life after high school. We support each individual student’s preparation to be career-ready and empower them to pursue postsecondary training through military service, the workforce, an apprenticeship, or through a 2 or 4-year college. In order to do this, we strive to ensure we are working hard to create a culture that promotes our core values of being…

• Grounded in our values and purpose
• Committed to our goals
• Accountable to ourselves and each other

While we believe in living these values every day, we have designed four specific days where we take time out of our traditional school day to provide a readiness experience that promotes our school’s mission and values while helping each Raccoon develop a sense of identity and purpose.

Keep reading for details about each day and the expectations associated with each grade level.

Monday, August 31: Freshmen First Day of School

Freshmen: Welcome to the OHS Community! 

Becoming grounded in our values and purpose

This day is designed to welcome our freshmen and transfer students to the Oconomowoc High School community and experience. Freshmen will work in small groups, known as Raccoon Prep teams, and transfer students will work in small groups with upperclassmen to lay the foundation for a successful and purposeful 4-year journey. 

• Freshmen will arrive at 7:20 a.m. and finish around 2:40 p.m. in time for bus dismissal at 2:47 p.m.
• Transfer students should arrive at 10:00 a.m. and will finish at 2:40 p.m.

Sophomores, Juniors & Seniors

Upperclassmen will serve as volunteers and help support the freshmen and new students during orientation. Students who are not volunteering will not have school on  Monday, August 31.  They will report to school on Tuesday, September 1, for their first day of classes.

Tuesday, October 13: Career and College Exploration Day

All Grades: Exploring Career and College Opportunities

Freshmen

Freshmen will start their day by reflecting on their interests and passions. They will complete academic and career planning activities, listen to industry speakers, and meet with their counselors to explore Xello, our academic and career planning digital platform, and learn more about OHS programs and opportunities. After lunch, they will participate in our annual day of service throughout the Oconomowoc area. By engaging in a service project, students can learn about their strengths and potential careers that may interest them. Our teachers will host 20 different service-learning opportunities tied to our career clusters so that our Raccoons can become a little more grounded in their purpose!

Sophomores

Sophomores will leave campus in small groups and visit a business or college with a focus related to a career cluster of their interest that they have selected. This day is designed to give students a hands-on learning experience to help them further define and commit to their career and college readiness goals.

Juniors & Seniors

Juniors and Seniors can use this day to take the ACT exam at OHS. This test is not mandatory. Please contact Melissa Anders for details on registration. Please note that, unlike the March exam, this exam is not free. 

For those who do not want to take the exam, today is a good day to visit colleges, work on college or career applications, or complete a job shadow.

Seniors

Seniors should watch for information about our College Admissions Day. This event is an opportunity to interview directly with admission officers from participating colleges and universities. If the interview goes well, you may be admitted on the spot and possibly awarded scholarship opportunities! This is also a great opportunity to gather information about different universities to help make your decision about which college is right for you! For details or questions, contact Jaime Regan.

Tuesday, March 9, 2027: College & Life Readiness Assessment Day

Juniors

Juniors...this is your big day!  Today you will join juniors across the state to take the ACT exam.

Seniors

Seniors will participate in several graduation preparation and life ready experiences.

Reality Check: Life Ready Simulation

With the support of local businesses and community partners, seniors will participate in our annual Reality Check-Life Ready Simulation.

Reality Check is a life readiness simulation that allows students to experience financial planning and other life events in a simulated, hands-on experience. In addition, students will participate in a one-on-one industry interview with a local business partner to help them gain experience in interviewing and communication skills. It also helps them learn the power and importance of career networking.

Industry Interviews

Students will participate in a one-on-one industry interview with a local business partner to help them gain experience in interviewing and communication skills. It also helps them learn the power and importance of career networking.

Freshmen, Sophomores

Since our team will be supporting the ACT test, there is no school for freshmen and sophomores.

Tuesday, April 6, 2027: Assessing Your College Readiness

Freshmen & Sophomores: PreACT Secure & Forward Testing

Freshmen and Sophomores will report to school at 7:20 a.m. to take the PreACT Secure. This state accountability measure will allow students to see if they are on pace to be college-ready upon graduation. Students will break down their scores in May and be set up with a free ACT prep plan that is aligned to their individual ACT goals.

Sophomores will also take the state Social Studies Forward Exam on this day.

Juniors: Career Expo

Juniors will report to OHS at their assigned times to begin learning more about the transition to career, college, and life after high school. Students will have the opportunity to hear from OHS counselors about the support available for the college application and military recruitment process. In addition, local businesses will be on site to talk with students about careers and possible summer job opportunities that may help build their skills and understanding in the field.

Seniors

Seniors have the opportunity to participate in a Life Ready capstone event outside of school. This day is designed to help our seniors reflect on how their experiences at OHS have prepared them to be ready for career, college, and life!  There will be no school for seniors on this day.