Education is a priority in the West Bend community. People of all ages access learning opportunities at many levels on a year-round basis. The community supports public and private schools by offering pre-school and Head Start, elementary grades from kindergarten through 8th grade, two public high schools, and two post-secondary colleges.

The mission of the West Bend School District is to provide all students with basic knowledge and lifelong learning skills that promote continuous growth in their occupational, civic and personal lives; this mission is accomplished through a dynamic partnership of students, family, staff, and community within a climate of mutual respect. This is an active mission that the community supports and helps foster.

The West Bend Campus of Moraine Park Technical College is one of three that the college operates as part of the Wisconsin Technical College System. Students attending the college can pursue over 50 different technical diploma and associate degree programs, as well as technical certificates, short-term programs and apprenticeship training. As a fully accredited, nationally recognized college committed to serving adults in the West Bend area, Moraine Park provides quality education.

In August 2002, Moraine Park opened a 42,000 square foot Applied Manufacturing Technology Center, a new state-of-the art facility with training and education facilities for private industry in the area. The project is the first of its kind in the state and will further strengthen Moraine Park's reputation as a leading technical college in Wisconsin.

Other services to business and industry include on-site workplace skills centers, customized training and technical assistance, and on-campus classes, seminars and satellite conferencing. Moraine Park is committed to providing relevant, high quality training and services, delivered in a timely and flexible manner.

The University of Wisconsin - Washington County (UWWC), located on University Drive in West Bend, on 87 acres of scenic Kettle Moraine. It offers the advantage of a small liberal arts college combined with the resources of the University of Wisconsin System. Almost 1,000 students attend the campus, which has 5 fully-connected buildings featuring: state-of-the-art science and computer labs, smart classrooms, library, fieldhouse, weight room, 300-seat theatre, cafeteria, art and music labs, bookstore, and an ultra modern greenhouse.

On this predominantly freshman-sophomore campus, students can earn up to half of their university credits, complete courses that apply to all UW bachelor degree programs, and prepare for over 250 majors. The Guaranteed Transfer Program provides a seamless transition from UW-WC to all UW Institutions. Scholarships totaling over $130,000 are offered each year.

UW-WC has several collaborative bachelor degree programs with UW-Milwaukee. Students can complete a fully accredited bachelor’s degree on site at UW-WC in Organizational Administration (BAOA), Communications (BAC) or Information Resources (BSIR). In addition, each fall 16 students are selected for the collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. An evening associate degree program, online courses, and compressed video are among other options for students to optimize access.

Fine Arts events provide Theatre on the Hill productions, cultural trips, and a variety of musical/dance performances, including free performances by the Moraine Chorus and Moraine Symphonic Band. An annual lecture series is also provided free of charge to students and area residents.

In West Bend, building a strong educational program requires that all of us join together in real ways to support student learning.