Upward Bound

Upward Bound is a federally-funded college preparatory program for high school students. The goal is to increase the rate at which students complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from institutions of post secondary education. It operates September through mid-August, ideally with students beginning the summer before their freshman year until their high school graduation.

Upward Bound students are 4 times more likely to graduate from college.

During the school year students attend individually tailored Saturday workshops held twice a month. During the summer, students attend a daily six week non-residential academic component. Classes operate from 9 a.m. until 3:15 p.m. Students are provided with a hot lunch.

What do we do in Upward Bound?

• Students obtain a competitive edge by taking core academic subjects the summer before they return to school in the fall
• Students also take college classes which expose them to possible college majors and/or careers
• Saturday workshops include academic instruction, social awareness issues as well as tutoring
• Individual personal, career and academic counseling
• Parental workshops
• Cultural enrichment trips to NYC, Boston, Washington, D.C., Broadway plays and more
• College visitations and college fairs
• College and career preparation & readiness
• Financial aid, scholarship and career information
• College admission test workshops
• Use of the latest technology available for school work and college searches
• Stipends awarded based on attendance and performance

How can Upward Bound help students succeed?

• Services are provided which will increase academic success, college readiness and personal responsibility
• Students are tracked and progress is monitored to help them succeed in school & immediate feedback and assistance is provided when they are struggling
• Individual attention is provided to each student to ensure all needs are being met
• SAT workshops are offered to increase scores for entrance to college
• Tutoring and/or remedial assistance is provided to address academic deficiencies or struggles  
• Personal, academic and career counseling services are provided to ensure full emotional and academic maturity. All sessions focus on self esteem
• Opportunity to become part of a close-knit group that accepts you for who you are and for who you can become
• Develop and maintain long lasting friendships with peers

The Federal guidelines to be admitted are simple. You must be:

• Low Income student and/or first generation college student
• High risk for academic distress
• A student in grade 9, 10 or 11 or an 8th grade graduate, between 13 & 19 years old
• Must be in need of academic support
• Attend one of the target schools: Bassick, Central, Harding High School, Fairchild Wheeler or reside in Bridgeport, CT

Where does the program meet & how do I get there?

• Sacred Heart University, West Campus, 3135 Easton Turnpike, Fairfield, CT 06825
• Free bus transportation is provided all year long. Bus stops are generally four to five blocks from the student's home