Steven Ebker is a graduate of Umatilla High School, now studying at Oregon State University with hopes of becoming a medical research scientist.

 

In addition to providing meals, technology, and instructional resources to students and families, GEAR UP schools are virtually maintaining relationships, building college-going cultures, and supporting students' postsecondary plans.

 

In order to continue supporting students after they graduate from high school, we are partnering with seven community colleges to create or enhance programs to support first-year students.

 

The good news: our schools are using data to strategically expand their college and career readiness programming and students and families have a greater awareness of the college process.

 

GEAR UP schools support students by sharing scholarship opportunities, starting the process early, providing time during the school day, and celebrating scholarship recipients.

 

Over half of GEAR UP schools participate in Oregon's ASPIRE program, which helps meet our goal of building caring relationships between students and adult mentors focused on postsecondary access.

 

Borrow these ideas from Oregon GEAR UP schools to show off your school's college-going culture by providing visual reminders that promote and celebrate the expectation of college attendance.

 

Oregon GEAR UP schools are helping more students take college admissions tests by preparing students ahead of time, providing motivation to do well, and offering the tests for all students.

 

Katarina Smith is committed to putting students first. As the GEAR UP Coordinator at Rogue River Junior/Senior High School, she is creative, organized, and dedicated to supporting students' postsecondary plans.

 

Hermiston High School was part of the first cohort of GEAR UP schools from 2002-2008 and leveraged the program's resources to create hands-on, real-world learning and build a supportive college-going culture.

 

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