GEAR UP Promise Neighborhood

Program Goals

To increase academic performance and college readiness;
To increase high school graduation rates and college-going rates;
To build and enrich a college-going culture in the schools and communities we serve.

Program Overview

The grant serves a cohort of middle school students, following them through high school and into college.  Externally Sponsored Programs employs regional service coordinators and school-based academic specialists to implement programs and liaise with school districts. Program staff monitor research-based targets and benchmarks for schools and districts while academic specialists use an early warning system to provide interventions for at-risk students. Program wide initiatives include a mentoring program and parent engagement work through the Families and Schools Together (FAST) Program and the Prichard Committee.

Service Impact

GEAR UP Promise Neighborhood serves nine southeastern Kentucky counties and ten school districts: Bell County, Breathitt County, Jackson Independent, Clay County, Jackson County,Knott County, Knox County, Leslie County, Owsley County and Perry County. Programs from this grant serve 7,793 students and their families.