Quincy State GEAR UP Program

The Quincy State GEAR UP program served an initial 76 students of the graduating class of 2011, helping them and their parents learn about and prepare for postsecondary opportunities.  A full time, full year program partners a site directors with teachers, tutors and area postsecondary representatives to ensure all students learn about and prepare for challenging postsecondary learning.   Students are helped with college planning and participate in trips to the state’s postsecondary institutions.  In addition, they receive counseling, mentoring and tutoring to help them significantly improve their academic skills so that they can complete pre-college coursework. Students successfully completing the program through their senior year will receive a Washington State scholarship, in addition to being counseled on completing the FAFSA and various other scholarships.  Parents are provided with events and information each year to help them support their children’s college aspirations.

The Quincy State GEAR UP program served an initial 76 students of the graduating class of 2011, helping them and their parents learn about and prepare for postsecondary opportunities.  A full time, full year program partners a site directors with teachers, tutors and area postsecondary representatives to ensure all students learn about and prepare for challenging postsecondary learning.   Students are helped with college planning and participate in trips to the state’s postsecondary institutions.  In addition, they receive counseling, mentoring and tutoring to help them significantly improve their academic skills so that they can complete pre-college coursework. Students successfully completing the program through their senior year will receive a Washington State scholarship, in addition to being counseled on completing the FAFSA and various other scholarships.  Parents are provided with events and information each year to help them support their children’s college aspirations.

Wapato State GEAR UP

Wapato is a magnet for new immigrant families coming to the Yakima Valley.  High poverty is masked by the cultural richness reflecting five dominant ethnic groups in town: Hispanic, Yakama Native, White European, Fillipine, and Japanese cultures.  The Wapato GEAR UP program serves 100 students of the Class of 2011, who without specific help would likely never consider college.

Program services include mentoring, tutoring and  campus visits.  Staff help students complete middle and high school coursework and projects including college gateway courses, and also help them develop strong well-considered plans for college and careers.

This GEAR-UP partnership has served 1500 6th–12th grade students over six years in seven school districts in remote Central Washington: Oroville, Bridgeport, Brewster, Lake Chelan, Omak, Tonasket and Manson.

NLA has received funding from the Federal Department of Education through the Department of Community Technology Opportunities Program (CTOP) for three separate programs (2-3 years) and the GEAR UP Program for four separate multi-year grants.  From the state of Washington, NLA has received funding for seven five-year 21st Century Programs as fiscal agent or partner to a school district, and also funding from the Washington State Arts Commission for the Wallace Foundation.