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UPWARD BOUND UPWARD BOUND SALEM INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY SALEM, WV 26426 (304) 782-5261 (877) 391-0029 WHAT IS UPWARD BOUND? Upward Bound is an educational service funded by the United States Department of Education. The program is designed to identify high school students who have academic potential, but may lack certain skills, support, or motivation required to succeed in school. Also, most participants come from families where neither parent has a four-year college degree. The goal of the program is for each student to complete high school and enter and succeed in continued education. Upward Bound provides a six-week summer residential program on the campus of Salem International University and an academic year program in nine area high schools: Bridgeport, Buckhannon Upshur, Doddridge County, Liberty, Lincoln, Ritchie County, Robert C. Byrd, South Harrison, and Webster County. The Program is free of charge to qualified students. STUDENT BENEFITS Upward Bound will provide developmental classes and enrichment activities to meet the needs of each student. Skills in reading, writing, math, science, speaking, and problem solving can be expected to improve. Students will grow personally as well. Realistic educational and career plans will be developed through class work and individual and group counseling. Tutoring will be offered as needed. Students will gain insight into the world around them by taking part in new cultural, recreational, and social experiences. Upward Bound provides a setting for students to make new friends, learn more about themselves, and become more mature and responsible people. APPLICATION Students must submit a completed application which includes family financial information and an autobiography (link to application above). Additional steps of the application process include a personal interview by the Upward Bound staff, a school report, and a conversation with the student's parent(s)/guardian(s). Upon completion of these steps, eligibility is determined and final selection made. All information obtained about the student and the family is strictly confidential. Applications are available from the Upward Bound office or from the In-School Contract teacher at the high school. ACADEMIC YEAR Each student served by the project has a follow-up program in the local high school. The student is visited at school by the Upward Bound staff and receives additional support from designated individuals in the participating school. Tutoring is made available and is required according to established guidelines. During the junior year, the student receives free ACT testing and other planning for college. Seniors and their parents receive help with college admissions and financial aid applications. All students explore careers and colleges. Also, students are required to come to monthly Saturday sessions held from September to May, usually on the campus of Salem International University. These sessions may cover topics such as study skills, career exploration, and personal enrichment subject. Students receive a stipend up to $40.00 each month throughout the school year based on participation. The purpose of the money is to help defray the cost of attending high school: clothing, books, supplies, and extra-curricular activities. Transportation and lunch are provided for Saturday sessions and all on-campus activities during the academic year. SUMMER SESSION During the six-week summer session students live in the residence halls on the Salem International University campus. Students leave campus on the weekends. Summer Assistants (college upperclassman or college graduates), live in the residence halls with the students to supervise their behavior and to help with recreation. A wide variety of social and recreational activities are planned. Students also participate in off-campus cultural events, such as trips to nearby cities and colleges. Campus facilities are available to Upward Bound students. Based on test scores and individual academic performance and need, students are placed in academic classes spending an average of four hours per day in these classes. Intensive instruction in basic skills such as reading, math, science, and written expression is provided. All students take part in career classes. They study the world of work, learn more about their likes and dislikes, and discover the educational preparation needed for specific career choices. They also receive a comprehensive program in guidance, including academic advising and personal and group counseling. They attend special interest and fitness classes which are not always available in their schools or communities. Special interest classes change each year due to students' interest, but have included art, music, and drama. Fitness classes have included water aerobics, racquetball, swimming, and weight training. Following high school graduation, students may continue for one more summer and take a four-credit college course free of charge, making the transition to college easier. "Bridge" students reside in regular residence halls and are considered Salem International University Students.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
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