students participated in the PSAT/SAT testing strategies.
college credits earned by gu students within 3 years of high school by their junior year.
Average number of students annually
Graduated
High School
Received College Credits upon graduating
FAFSA
completion
Enrolled
in College
Average number of students annually
Graduated
High School
Received College Credits upon graduating
FAFSA
completion
Enrolled
in College
If you’re a student, parent, guardian or educator, you can increase college and career readiness with GEAR UP CT as your partner. A federally-funded grant program through the USDOE that helps empower local students to think beyond what they see today. GEAR UP CT provides the tools, resources, and programs to help students starting as early as middle school to increase their success in education.
GEAR UP CT is currently serving the Class of 2025 in the following partnership’s: East Hartford Public Schools (East Hartford High & CIBA) and CT State Manchester; Meriden Public Schools (Platt & Maloney High School) and CT State Middlesex; and Waterbury Public Schools and CT State Naugatuck Valley (Crosby High School, Kennedy High School, Wilby High School, State Street School, Enlightenment School, Waterbury Arts Magnet and Waterbury Career Academy).
1. Increase postsecondary expectations and readiness of students.
2. Improve high school graduation and postsecondary enrollment rates.
3. Increase student and family knowledge of postsecondary options, preparation, and financial aid.
GU strives to build capacity within the local communities that are being served to ensure students have the opportunity, skills, knowledge, and confidence upon high school graduation to successfully pursue higher education [Certificate Programs, 2- or 4-year degree] and/or workforce opportunities that will enable them to achieve their career and life goals. GEAR UP teams are committed to working alongside local school districts and partner colleges where all students are empowered and equipped with an education and the skills to succeed in a diverse and global society.
“The Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP)" initiative is one of the largest and most effective programs focused on increasing the college and career readiness of low-income students in communities nationwide. GEAR UP is a highly competitive grant program that helps empower local partnerships comprised of K-12 schools, institutions of higher education, state agencies, and community organizations to achieve three strategic goals.
These goals are:
1. Increase postsecondary expectations and readiness of students.
2. Improve high school graduation and postsecondary enrollment rates.
3. Increase student and family knowledge of postsecondary options, preparation, and financial aid.
Services include but not limited to:
• Tutoring / Mentoring
• College Awareness / Virtual Tours
• Testing Preparation
• Summer Programming
• Career Planning / Workshops
• College Planning
• Financial Aid Workshops
GEAR UP builds capacity within communities to ensure that underserved students have the opportunity, skills, and knowledge to successfully pursue the education and training that will enable them to achieve their career and life goals. Our committed GEAR UP teams along with partner colleges and school districts will work towards a future where all students are empowered and equipped with the education and training needed to succeed in a diverse and global society.
CT State President Maduko and GEAR UP CT Student Join Gov. Lamont to Urge Legislature to Expand Dual Enrollment Opportunities
Pictured with students in the first photo is Governor Ned Lamont (center), Connecticut Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker (second from right) and Thierry Ofori (right), who participated in CT State’s GEAR UP program. In the second photo (left to right) is Christopher Todd, executive director, UConn’s Office of Early College Programs; Russell-Tucker; students; Ofori; and CT State President John Maduko. CT State President Dr. John Maduko joined Governor Ned Lamont at a press conference to highlight House Bill 6869: An Act Concerning Dual Credit Programs.
This proposed legislation aims to expand access to dual credit opportunities across Connecticut, allowing students to earn both high school and college credit while saving time, reducing costs, and boosting college readiness. Thierry Ofori, who participated in CT State’s GEAR UP program, currently attends the Connecticut IB Academy and was recently accepted into Yale University, where he will study computer science.
GEAR UP CT Partner Town Hall Event, 9/24/2024
After more than 1,800 days together in a federally funded GEAR UP CT program, 2,479 students from the grant partner school districts of East Hartford, Meriden, and Waterbury were saluted by CSCU Chancellor Cheng.
On Tuesday, September 24, 2024, students from GEAR UP CT, a federally funded national program that helps prep high students in East Hartford, Meriden, and Waterbury for educational opportunities beyond high school, we’re saluted by CSCU Chancellor Terrence Cheng and community stakeholders as they enter their senior year of their GEAR UP journey. The ceremony was held at CT State Naugatuck Valley Community College in Waterbury. Celebrating National GEAR UP Week, Chancellor Cheng read a Proclamation by Governor Lamont announcing GEAR UP Week in CT. Representing GEAR UP CT students Kasyiah Williams from Wilby High School in Waterbury spoke how the GEAR UP CT “opened her eyes to so many different possibilities and now I am focused pursuing my passion for science and stem.” What is unique about this GEAR UP CT program that the students in the three-town cohort have been together as a group for more than 1,800 days noted by Interim Superintendent Dr. Darren Schwartz. Chancellor Cheng highlighted that 1,169 college credits have been earned by students up to Grade 10. Joining CSCU Chancellor Terrence Cheng were Christina Lapierre, State Program Director GEAR UP CT; Waterbury Interim Superintendent, Dr. Darren Schwartz, and Dr. Lisa Dresdner, CEO, CT State College Naugatuck Valley.
CT STATE (CONNECTICUT COMMUNITY COLLEGE)
What a team at the April 19 media event at Platt High School in Meriden, CT: Scott Burrell, NBA Champion;Christina Lapierre, State Program Director for GearUP CT; Fatima Islam, GEARUP student; Alice Pritchard from CSCU, and NCAA and WNBA Champion Morgan Tuck.
This program is funded (in whole or in part) by a $25.8 million Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) grant as implemented by the United States Department of Education.
