Purpose

The Upward Bound Program is a federally funded program designed to work with low-income, first-generation high school students who have the potential for success in college. The Upward Bound Program is designed and funded to work with high school students who have the potential for success in college. This program strives to unlock each student’s potential through academic skills development and extensive career and personal counseling. The program consists of an academic year program and a summer residential program.

Importance

The Adams State Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math/Science Program are college preparatory programs funded by the US Department of Education. Upward Bound is a venue in which students are encouraged to experience the summer residential program and to take advantage of the support systems in place. The goal of this program is to promote students’ ability to attend and graduate from college. All activities including academic instruction, advising, field trips, etc. are designed to:

  • Increase test scores on state proficiency tests
  • Increase high school GPAs and add rigor to high school course selection
  • Increase the number of First-generation and Low-Income students enrolling in college
  • Increase the number of First-generation and Low-Income students graduating with college degrees

Objectives

Six Student objectives are in place to enhance the success of Upward Bound students

  1. Academic Performance: Grade Point Average (GPA) 81% of students will have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better on a four-point scale at the end of the school year
  2. Performance on Standardized test: 39% of UB seniors will have achieved at the proficient level on state assessments in reading language arts and math.
  3. Secondary School Retention and Graduation- 90% of students will continue to attend school for the next academic year; the next grade level, or will have graduated from school with a school diploma
  4. Post Secondary Enrollment- 70% of all current seniors will enroll in a program of post-secondary education by the fall term or will have received a notification, by the fall term from an institution of higher education of acceptance but deferred enrollment until the next academic semester (e.g. spring semester).
  5. Post Secondary Completion- 40% of students who enrolled in post-secondary education will attain either an associate’s or bachelor’s degree within six years of graduation from high school.
  6. Rigorous Curriculum- 61% of students will participate in a rigorous curriculum.

Research

Current research indicates that 90% of Upward Bound students enroll in post-secondary educational institutions. Upward Bound graduates are twice as likely to enroll in post-secondary education as are students from similar backgrounds who did not participate in an Upward Bound Program. Upward Bound students are four times as likely to earn a college degree compared to students from similar backgrounds who did not participate in an Upward Bound Program.

Contact Us

Adams State University
208 Edgemont Blvd, suite 2170
Alamosa, Co 81101
Richardson Hall Room 245 – Box 18
Alamosa CO, 81101

719-587-7865
asuupwardbound@adams.edu