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.

Tuesday, September 2: 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 Tuesday, September 2.  They will report to school on Wednesday, September 3, for their first day of classes.

Tuesday, October 14: 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! 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 10, 2026: 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

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

Freshmen, Sophomores

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

Tuesday, April 14, 2026: Assessing Your College Readiness

Freshmen & Sophomores: ACT Secure & Forward Testing

Freshmen and Sophomores will report to school at 7:20 a.m. to take the ACT 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

Juniors, this is your chance to participate in a job shadow or schedule a tour at a local 2- or 4-year school. You do not have classes or activities planned on this day, so you can easily set up a visit to WCTC, UW-Madison, Marquette, UW-Milwaukee, Carroll, or anywhere else.

While we are not providing formal programming, we can certainly help connect you with potential job shadows and any admissions offices. Just reach out to your counselor with any questions or ideas.

Seniors

With just two months to go to Graduation, take this day to make your final preparations, visit any schools, or apply for last-minute scholarships!