Upward Bound
What is Upward Bound?
Upward Bound is a Federal TRiO Program funded by the U.S. Department of Education through competitive grants. Currently, CR is one of only 964 Upward Bound projects in the US. The goal of Upward Bound is to increase the rate at which participants complete high school and enroll in and graduate from college.
Upward Bound provides:
- Support in preparation for college entrance.
- Opportunities to succeed in precollege performance and ultimately in higher education pursuits.
Eligibility:
- You must be enrolled in 8th -12th grades; attending, or will attend a high school we serve
- Willing to attempt a rigorous high school curriculum
- Interested in college or career technical education
- Income eligible** and/or first generation***
Join our Free* College Prep Program
Making College Dreams a Reality Since 1988!
- Earn school credit and live like a college student for 5-6 weeks during our summer camp.
- Go on college tours, attend leadership conferences, receive mentoring.
- Get help with college/career planning.
- Get help with paying for college.
- Also, become eligible for the Dell Scholars Scholarship.
- Get FREE tutoring at your school.
- Receive stipends for your full-time participation Redwoods Upward Bound during the school year and summer.
Apply for UB!
- Please make an appointment with the Upward Bound advising staff at your school site. Your counselor can help you do this.
- Complete and submit the application form or download the PDF Application.
- Ask a teacher or counselor to fill out a recommendation form for you.
- After you complete our application, an Upward Bound advisor will contact you at your school to interview you.
Are you Upward Bound?
Fill out our online application and one of our academic advisors will schedule an interview.
Services
Summer Program:
- During the summer, Upward Bound participants may attend our free three-part academic and residential programs.
- First is our College Blitz night which is an orientation for all new students to learn about college and careers. During this orientation, Upward Bound staff come to your local College of the Redwoods campus to deliver fun and informative workshops geared toward launching you on the path to college readiness.
- Next is the four day college tour which every student is eligible to participate in at least once by the end of high school. On this trip students will have the opportunity to visit multiple types of college campuses around different area's of California and attend some fun cultural activities. This trip is reserved for students in the 11th grade, if we have extra space available we will offer some spots to 10th grade students.
- Last is the 5-week academic residential program which is open to all participants in Upward Bound. This takes place at College of the Redwoods in Eureka, California from June 23rd-July 25th, 2024.
By "academic," we mean that participants take classes that are either college classes or classes that are organized by Upward Bound. Students may choose from a variety of diverse and enriching classes designed to enhance skills necessary to succeed in high school and transition to college. We offer classes in Composition, Literature, Math, Lab Science, Foreign Languages, Computers, and other subjects. Our classes help participants earn elective credit at their high schools. They may also enroll in College of the Redwoods classes when they are available.
By "residential" we mean that participants live on campus in the dorms for a true college-simulated experience.
We also offer a Summer Bridge Program for recent high school graduates to help them bridge to college life. These participants take a college class and are employed in a work-study position on campus. They may also reside in the dorms and take part in a Residential Advisor Internship.
Participants learn a great deal about college over the course of the summer. They also work with mentors who are currently in college. Many of our mentors were Upward Bound participants in high school.
This year we have an exciting new component that will allow students who are unable to attend the summer program to take an online class and still be able to earn some high school elective credits. We will have more information soon, but you can contact our office if you have any immediate questions.
Academic Year:
- During the academic year, Upward Bound provides participants with tutorial services, academic and career advising, and assistance in selecting a college and in preparing financial aid forms. These services are provided at their high schools.
- Upward Bound also organizes field trips and cultural activities throughout the year.
- Many participants take advantage of the opportunity to take college classes while in high school. Upward Bound can assist in the concurrent enrollment and registration process but unfortunately is unable to assist with the cost of books.
Job Opportunities
(5-10 hrs/week) $16 per hour
Upward Bound provides services year-round with the school year focus on tutoring and advising. We are seeking tutors who demonstrate the ability to tutor in English, math (all levels), sciences, and foreign languages. Ideal tutors are available to meet with students at their schools during lunch, study hall, or after school. They must also be able to commit to working for the full school year (September-June). Training and certification in tutoring is available at no cost to our tutors.
To apply, please download the following documents and submit the applications, and a cover letter to our office.
Tutor Job Description
Tutor Application (required)
College of the Redwoods Application (required)
Dear Prospective Instructor:
We are looking forward to our Upward Bound summer residential program this year! Much of our success can be attributed to the enthusiasm and expertise of our teaching staff each summer. Teaching for Upward Bound is a great opportunity to work with dynamic youth who aspire to go to college but who need extra support to get there. You will help us provide underrepresented high school students with the opportunity to learn in a challenging but supportive environment. We invite you to be a part of the program this year by submitting an application, a cover letter, and a course proposal. Instructors will earn one (1) College Unit and $25 per hour (75 hours required). Experience teaching and working with adolescents are desired qualifications.
We are seeking course proposals that offer project-based or hands-on learning opportunities and preferably courses that teach more than one subject-matter. For example, a class may have a theater arts theme that requires students to write, analyze literature, study history, and perform a monologue. Another may have an environmental science theme that includes laboratory projects, the scientific method, critical thinking, and expository writing. For more information about project-based learning, see Introduction to Project Based Learning (VIDEO)
Please be aware that temporary staff at College of the Redwoods are only paid once a month on the 10th of each month so you will not receive your first paycheck until July 10th and then again on August 10th.
Courses meet for 19 days, begining June 24th-July 25th, 2024.
Please use the following link to download a template for your proposal: UB Summer Course Proposal Template
We look forward to receiving your proposal for our summer program. Feel free to give us a call at (707) 476-4278 or (707) 476-4303 if you have any questions.
TO APPLY: complete the following 3 steps...
- Fill out application. (PDF Here)
- Create a course proposal using our template. You may submit more than one proposal for consideration. You will need to upload your course proposal to your CR Online Application before you submit your application.
- Cover letter
Our summer program residential staff are inspiring and influential mentors who help our participants realize their college dreams. Residential staff provide fun, safe, and rewarding experiences to participants who are living away from home for 5 weeks during the summer. All residential staff are expected to reside in the residence halls while the program is in session. In addition to hourly pay, residential staff receive room and board (bed and meals) at no cost to them. Residential staff also receive paid training. All positions require completion of at least one year of college. Ideal applicants will be recent college graduates OR were enrolled in college or graduate school during the 2023-24 academic year. Our summer program will run from June 23rd- July 25th, 2024.
Please be aware that temporary staff at College of the Redwoods are only paid once a month on the 10th of each month so you will not receive your first paycheck until July 10th and then again on August 10th.
Contact our office for any questions you may have. Our office number is: 707-476-4277.
We are seeking mentors for the following positions: (All pay rates are up to date as of 1/13/2024)
- Residential Coordinator* (RC) $18/hour, (1 position @ approximately 40 hours/week): First review of applications: March 1, 2024. TENTATIVE Employment dates June 30th- August 1st, 2024. Additional training days will be added in June. TBD.
- Residential Advisor (RA), $16/hour (multiple positions @ approximately 30 hours/week): First review of applications: March 1, 2024. TENTATIVE Employment dates June 30th- August 1st, 2024. Additional training days will be added in June. TBD..
- Van Drivers and Lifeguards (hours and pay vary): Please contact our office for information on these positions and for application instructions. Call 707-476-4278.
TO APPLY:
Please return the following items by email attachment
- Your most recent unofficial transcripts (PDF).
- A cover letter (Cover Letter Instructions).
- Residential Staff Application (requires Adobe Reader).
Please contact our office at (707) 476-4278 or email heidi-bareilles@redwoods.edu for more information if needed.
*Priority is given to applicants who have been participants in outreach programs for disadvantaged youth or who have faced and overcome similar barriers as our participants.
High Schools We Serve
Contact Information
*There are no fees of any kind for Upward Bound participants nor their families. All costs are paid out of a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
** Federal TRiO guidelines used to determine income eligibility are relatively generous and are based on "Taxable income" and not gross income.
***Neither parent has earned a Bachelors Degree at the time of admission to Upward Bound.