Upward Bound Program

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Upward Bound Description

The newly funded Upward Bound Program at the Academic Institute of Central Carolina provides fundamental support to participants in their preparation for college entrance and college completion. The program provides opportunities for participants to succeed in pre-college performance and ultimately in higher education pursuits. The goal of Upward Bound is to increase the rates at which participants enroll into and graduate from institutions of post-secondary education. Upward Bound supplement the student’s high school experience with academic preparation, career exploration, and self-development opportunities.

Upward Bound strives to provide academic challenges and emotional and social support in order to raise participants’ self-concept, enhance their self-development and achieve their full potential. Starting at enrollment, students are encouraged to remain in the program and to achieve success in their academic and personal development throughout their high school careers into college. Students remain in the program from the time of their acceptance starting from 9th grade until their high school graduation. When they leave the program and enroll into college, the staff still continues to track them, and provide coordinating services with other colleges on their behalf.

Funding
Upward Bound is 100% federally funded by the U. S. Department of Education for eligible high school students who aspire toward higher education. Upward Bound is part of the TRiO family of federally funded programs.

Objectives

The project is designed to achieve six student objectives. We have developed a comprehensive plan for evaluating progress in meeting these objectives.
  1. Academic Performance-Grade Point Average (GPA): 65% of participants served during the project year 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-55% of UB students served during the project year, will have achieved at the proficient level on state assessments in reading/language arts and math.
  3. Secondary School Retention and Graduation– 85% of project participants served during the project year will continue in school for the next academic year, at the next grade level, or will have graduated from secondary school with a regular secondary school diploma.
  4.  Secondary School Graduation (rigorous secondary school program of study)- 40% of all current and prior year UB participants, who at the time of entrance into the project had and expected high school graduation date in the school year, will complete a rigorous secondary school program of study and graduate in that school year with a regular secondary school diploma.
  5. Postsecondary Enrollment-70% of all current and prior UB participants, who at the time of entrance into the project had an expected high school graduation date in the school year, will enroll in a program of postsecondary education by the fall term immediately following high school graduation or will have received notification, by the fall term immediately following high school, from an institution of higher education, of acceptance but deferred enrollment until the next academic semester (e.g. spring semester).
  6.  Postsecondary Completion- 40% of participants who enrolled in a program of postsecondary education, by the fall term immediately following high school graduation or by the next academic term (e.g., spring term) as a result of acceptance by deferred enrollment, will attain either an associate’s or bachelor’s degree within six years following graduation from high school.

Since We Have Limited Availability And A High Number Of Students Who Are Competing For These Limited Positions, It Is Imperative That All Supporting Documents Are Submitted As Well As To Ensure That The Application Is Thoroughly Completed To Include All Signatures.

Academic Services

Services Provided (ALL FREE!)

Tuesday and Thursday from 3:00 – 6:00pm on site at AICC office.

Monday through Thursday from 3:00 – 6:00pm online tutoring. Online tutoring can be accessed by clicking here:

First and third Saturday of each month from 9:00am-1:00pm.  The sessions may include educational field trips and traditional classroom instruction by certified teachers within the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools.

Participants are assigned a professional advisor who visits with students to monitor academic progress and assist in the removal of barriers to academic success.  Each student receives an individual Educational Action Plan (EAP) which outlines his/her academic goals for the semester, provides remedies for academic problems and gives feedback for the improvement in academic performance. EAPs are monitored and discussed with each student three times a year. Discussions will also include college admissions process, financial aid, scholarships and degree programs.

Students participate in activities designed to spark curiosity and increase their exposure to new ideas.

Juniors and seniors receive individualized assistance in college and financial aid planning. Services include ACT/SAT test preparation workshops, scholarship searches, and aid in completing college admissions and financial aid applications.

Students tour various colleges to gain exposure and knowledge.

where students are exposed to college life by living on a college campus. Students enroll in core courses (Math, Science, English, and Foreign Language) that are designed to give them a head start on the classes they will begin in the fall. The classes may be taught by certified teachers within Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools.  Students also participate in elective courses designed to stimulate curiosity and excitement about learning.

Students who successfully complete the summer academy are invited to participate in a learning and culture awareness trip.  Possible trips may include Washington, DC, Atlanta, Chicago, Nashville, Philadelphia, Orlando, Birmingham and New York City.

Eligible 12th grade graduates have the opportunity to take courses for college credit under the supervision and support of the Upward Bound program.

Students engage in service activities to give back to community, increase job readiness skills and marketability to college and scholarship applications, and identify local mentors in career fields of interest.

Schooled Served
Garinger High School
East Mecklenburg High School
Rocky River High School
Independence High School

Eligibility Requirement

To receive services, students must meet the following criteria:
  • Students who have earned a minimum of a 2.0 grade point average at the time of the application.
  • Students enrolled in the 9th – 11th grade, first semester. (No Seniors Accepted)
  • Students who are a first generation college-bound student (neither parent has earned a four-year college degree)
  • Students who meet the U.S. Department of Education income guidelines
  • Eighth graders may apply during the Spring semester before entering their Freshman year of High School, but must wait until the fall semester to begin the program.
PROBATION/COMMITMENT PERIOD

All Upward Bound students must complete a 60 days probation/commitment period. During this time the student must attend all UB activities including tutoring two hours a week and Academic Saturday sessions twice a month. If the student is admitted in the summer, he/she must attend a two weeks commitment/probation period during the summer academy. The only excused absences are school activities. Students will earn stipends during this period, but would not be able to collect them unless they complete the probation/commitment period. After 60 days if the student has maintained good attendance and behavior then they would become a full Upward Bound member. However, if good attendance or behavior is not maintained or the student decides not to participate then all stipends would be forfeited.

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ABOUT AICC

Academic Institute of Central Carolina(AICC) is a non-profit agency founded in 2011 that provides academic support to residents in three counties. The agency is located in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is currently funded by the United States Department of Education and has three TRIO programs. The three TRIO programs currently funded are Educational Talent Search (ETS), Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) and Upward Bound (UB).
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