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UNCW, NEW HANOVER COUNTY SCHOOLS AND COLUMBUS COUNTY SCHOOLS APPLY FOR GEAR UP GRANT FOR AREA MIDDLE SCHOOLS

The University of North Carolina Wilmington, New Hanover County Schools and Columbus County Schools have applied for a $4.9 million GEAR UP grant to help area middle school students prepare for college. GEAR UP, which stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, is a U.S. Department of Education grant program designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. Funding notification on the grant is expected in July 2008.

The grant application includes plans to significantly increase the number of 6th and 7th graders in four area middle schools who apply to and enter college. The program would also assist middle school students at DC Virgo and Williston middle schools in New Hanover County and at Acme-Delco and Hallsboro middle schools in Columbus County.

UNC Wilmington faculty and administrative staff in the Divisions of Academic Affairs, Public Service and Continuing Studies, and Student Affairs, hundreds of UNCW student volunteers and community volunteers will support 1,028 project participants and their families in academic enhancement and college opportunity programs through comprehensive tutoring, mentoring and parent education. Community partners include, in New Hanover County: New Hanover County Schools, the Wilmington Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, the Wilmington Housing Authority, and Communities in Schools of Cape Fear and in Columbus County: the Columbus County School System, the Bogue Community Citizens Association, the Bolton Senior/Youth Center, Christian Plains AME Zion Church, Men and Women United for Youth and Families, and New Hope Baptist Church.

GEAR UP will instill a college-bound vision in many low income or disenfranchised African American, Hispanic, American Indian, and Caucasian students in these four middle schools, empowering them and their families to see that college is possible and economically feasible. Given that there are several diverse cultures represented in this project, including urban and rural, there will be an opportunity for staff, parents, and children to share their expertise, cultures, and experiences with each other to enhance their comfort in the broader university atmosphere.

GEAR UP will use a case management model to constantly assess and evaluate whether project interventions are showing significant progress toward academic and college preparation goals.

This comprehensive university/school/community partnership demonstrates strong, tangible commitment to an evidence based approach to sustained change in high school graduation and college entrance rates for all students in the region.
 

 

News/Announcements

4/14/08