Our comprehensive programming targets academic success and helps develop the GEAR UP graduate – a scholar who is self-aware, proactive, balanced, resilient, supported, motivated, and well-informed. These skills are imperative to cultivating a college-going culture in middle school and achieving success after high school. Access to academic advisors, peer mentors, counselors, and tutors is key to supporting our goals of increasing college expectations and readiness, high school graduation, awareness of college financing, postsecondary enrollment, persistence, and success. Our signature services are provided over a seven-year period, increasing in intensity and building upon previous learning.
Advisors and counselors develop meaningful relationships with students and families, providing ongoing and proactive academic, college, and career advisement; financial aid counseling; social-emotional support; and postsecondary planning.
GU4LA recognizes families as essential partners in helping students succeed. We build trust and empower families with leadership and advocacy skills through workshops on postsecondary education options, preparation, and financing.
Students and parents participate in college visits to promote postsecondary interest and exploration. College visits may include shadowing former GEAR UP students.
Students explore career interests and earn skills certificates through various career technical education academies and hands-on camps offered by GEAR UP and partners.
To ensure students stay on track to graduate and help English learners understand the importance of reclassification, GEAR UP provides tutoring, credit recovery classes, workshops, and individualized advising.
Through its partners, GU4LA offers students extended learning programs to explore a variety of academic and career-related topics designed to enrich their learning and personal growth while preparing them for postsecondary education.
Beginning in middle school, students may take dual enrollment courses and earn college credit in various fields, including science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
Through our peer/near-peer mentor program, students develop leadership skills, facilitate informational lessons, explore college and career options, and become advocates for their community.
Ongoing financial aid awareness workshops, lessons, and hands-on simulations help demystify the cost of higher education. Students learn to be financially literate and make economic decisions about their future.
Students and families receive support with all steps in the college and financial aid application processes, including evaluating financial aid offers, finding the best college match and fit, and enrolling in college.
To prevent summer melt and ensure graduates have a successful postsecondary transition, GU4LA staff provide proactive support and guidance through their first year of higher education.
To strengthen educators’ knowledge of college and career readiness, GU4LA provides training on the financial aid and college application process, college match and fit, and technology integration to enhance instructional practices.