The Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio was awarded a 7-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education and is partnering with College Now of Greater Cleveland and 10 First Ring school districts to support more than 4,600 middle school students in grades 6 and 7 through their high school graduations and into college and careers.
What is GEAR UP?
GEAR UP stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs. It is a national program designed to encourage more young people to
Have high expectations for their education
Stay in school and study hard
Take the right courses to prepare for college and career success
GEAR UP fosters academic achievement through tutoring and mentoring, builds early college awareness, and develops leadership skills that prepare students for lifelong success.
Goals & Objectives
GEAR UP strives to increase the number of students who obtain a secondary school diploma and are prepared to succeed in postsecondary education. Objectives are to
Improve the academic achievement and performance of GEAR UP students
Increase student persistence resulting in increased high school graduation and postsecondary enrollment
Increase student and family knowledge about academic requirements for college, the costs of college and available financial aid to help make college more affordable.
To support students and families in preparing for postsecondary education, this GEAR UP project includes partnerships with Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland State University, the Greater Cleveland Career Consortium and the Higher Education Compact.
Opportunities for Students
Through GEAR UP, students have access to:
Academic and career advising and exploration
Tutoring, mentoring, and leadership activities
College visits and test preparation
Postsecondary readiness and affordability resources
Guidance to design career goals and identify the best-fit education pathways
First Ring Schools Collaborative GEAR UP 2031 Districts: Brooklyn City School District, Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District; East Cleveland City School District; Euclid City School District; Garfield Heights City School District; Maple Heights City School District; Parma City School District; Richmond Heights Local School District; South Euclid-Lyndhurst City School District; Warrensville Heights City School District
GEAR UP is about building a culture of high expectations and opportunity. Through partnerships with College Now, Tri-C, Cleveland State, the Greater Cleveland Career Consortium, and the Higher Education Compact, we are equipping students with the tools they need to succeed in education and in life.