Enacted in In 1998, the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for undergraduate Program (GEAR UP) funds partnerships of colleges and universities, community organizations, business and schools in economically limited communities, to work with entire grade levels of students.  The partnerships provide tutoring, mentoring, information on college preparation and financial aid, an emphasis on core academic preparation and access to scholarship opportunities.  The GEAR UP program strives to encourage students to set high academic expectations, stay in school, study hard and take courses that will help them to enter and succeed in college.

        During the school year tutoring services are provided to assist GEAR UP participants in their academic development in the areas of mathematics, science and language arts.  Participants are also provided with career exploration through a variety of activities including career aptitude testing as well as intensive and ongoing experiences such as job shadowing.  Summer programming incorporates fun, exciting academic enrichment opportunities and service learning.

        Each student will participate in a personal goal planning session that includes an assessment of their current needs, personal aspirations and goals, and potential barriers to grade promotion, high school graduation and postsecondary education.  This planning session will be completed with the assistance of the student's parents and classroom teachers.  An individual learning plan will be developed using the information from this session.

For more information you can contact us at (618)-734-2665.