What is Upward Bound?
Since 1989, the St. Olaf College Upward Bound Program has successfully provided postsecondary preparatory support for 87 low-income, first-generation youth per year in the Target Area. Over 2,500 youth attending the Target Schools qualify for St. Olaf College Upward Bound services. These young people come from families who are struggling for survival, whose lives are even more difficult because of current economic inequities in the Target Area. Of the 87 students St. Olaf College Upward Bound serves, 71 attend St. Paul Humboldt and St. Paul Central High Schools where the effects of poverty and current urban conditions impact drop-out rates, school resources, counselor-to-student ratios and college matriculation. Sixteen (16) participants are students at Red Wing High School, located in a rural area with a high concentration of low-income families suffering from a depressed enonomy, and a Native American population experiencing generations of low education attainment rates.
St. Olaf College Upward Bound's services are designed to generate the skills and motivation necessary for particpants to complete a program of secondary education, enter a program of postsecondary education, and earn a four-year college degree. St. Olaf Upward Bound's excellent program design has resulted in the program retention of over 95% of all students served until they complete their program of secondary education. To date, 99% (213 of 215) of the program's seniors have graduated from high school. Ninety-nine percent have been admitted to at least one college of their choice. St. Olaf College Upward Bound students attend a wide variety of postsecondary institutions which include the University of Minnesota (Twin Cities and Duluth), Hamline University, St. Cloud and Minnesota (Mankato) State Universities, Inver Hills Community College, and Augsburg, Gustavus Adolphus, Macalester and St. Olaf Colleges, among others.
Click here to download the St. Olaf College Upward Bound Program Profile
The Bridge program is an integral service offered to St. Olaf College Upward Bound high school graduates. Graduating seniors enroll in a tuition-free summer couse taught by a St. Olaf College professor and the credit transfers to any postsecondary institution the Bridge student attends. Upward Bound students do well in college compared to their peers; 60% will either complete their program of postsecondary education within six years or continue to progress towards earning their degree.
The effectiveness of the St. Olaf College Upward Bound program is enhanced by a staff with over 50 years of combined experience working with TRiO-eligible youth, many of whom come from backgrounds similar to those of the target population, including two professional staff who are TRiO alumni. The program's effectiveness if further enhanced by a consistently high level of institutional and community support. St. Olaf College hosts three TRiO programs (Educational Talent Search and Student Support Services are the other two) and since 1981 has had a history of providing first-rate financial and in-kind support. St. Olaf College is also home to the Gaining Early Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP!) Program.
With the continued funding of St. Olaf College Upward Bound, the U.S. Department of Education can ensure that some of America's most disenfranchised youth will realize their educational dreams and potential, and escape the debilitating effects of poverty characterizing the Target Area.
