Mid-State and WRPS launch Business Management Academy with major time and cost savings

A groundbreaking new opportunity is now available to Lincoln High School students, thanks to a partnership between Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools and Mid-State Technical College. The new Business Management Academy allows students to earn a full associate degree in Business Management, all while still in high school.

Through this academy model, students complete college courses that count for both high school and college credit. The program blends classroom learning with flexible online and hybrid formats, making it accessible and achievable for motivated students. Even better, the cost is just one-third of the typical tuition, with the rest covered through dual credit and Start College Now funding.

Graduates of the program will leave high school with five valuable credentials:

• Business Management associate degree
• Customer Relationship Professional technical diploma
• Entrepreneur technical diploma
• Human Resources Assistant technical diploma
• Office Support Specialist technical diploma

Ben Nusz, dean of Mid-State’s School of Business and Information Technology, shared his enthusiasm for the initiative. “The Business Management Academy gives students a powerful head start on both college and career,” he said. “By the time they graduate from high school, they’ll already have a college degree and multiple credentials that are highly valued by local employers. This is real-world readiness at its best, and it saves families significant time and money.”

Ronald Rasmussen, superintendent of Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools, echoed the excitement. “We are thrilled to partner with Mid-State to provide this exceptional opportunity to our students. The Business Management Academy gives them the chance to graduate with not only a high school diploma, but also a college degree and multiple workforce-ready credentials. It’s a powerful investment in their future and in the future of our community.”

Students who complete the program will also be well positioned to transfer to a four-year university and complete a bachelor’s degree in just two additional years.

Families interested in learning more can visit mstc.edu/business-academy for full program details, sample course plans, and enrollment information.

This fall Mid-State representatives will also be available at Wisconsin Rapids Area Middle School and Lincoln High School back-to-school nights to answer questions and connect students with this exciting new pathway starting fall 2026.