The GEAR UP Southern West Virginia (SWV) Partnership

Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) is a federal grant designed to increase the number of students who are prepared to enter and succeed in public and private colleges and universities and community colleges immediately after high school.

The US Department of Education provides six-year grants to states and partnerships to provide services at middle and high schools where more than 50% of the students qualify for free/reduced lunch.

GEAR UP grantees serve an entire cohort of students beginning no later than seventh grade and follow the cohort into high school.

Our partnership grant includes Concord University, New River CTC, community organizations, business partners, and schools in Southern WV (Mercer, Monroe, Raleigh, Summers, and Wyoming Counties).

The grant is a one-time award, beginning in September 2022 and will continue through August 2029.

The GEAR UP program provides funding and programming for professional development for teachers and administrators, academic and cultural enrichment for students, and assistance for parents and students in becoming familiar with college options, financial aid, and transition concerns.

Information

GEAR UP SWV Program Goals

GEAR UP SWV is working to encourage students to graduate from high school and continue into college. Research suggests that integrating college access programs early in a student’s education and maintaining them throughout high school boosts student achievement and overall graduation rates.

Our objectives are:

Increase the academic performance and preparation for postsecondary education of GEAR UP students
Increase the rate of high school graduation and participation in postsecondary education of GEAR UP students
Increase GEAR UP students’ and their families’ knowledge of postsecondary education options, preparation, and financing.
Increase the number of students who build and exhibit social, emotional, and academic resilience.

National GEAR UP FAQs

What is GEAR UP?

GEAR UP is a federal grant designed to increase the number of students who are prepared to enter and succeed in public and private colleges and universities and community colleges immediately after high school.

What does GEAR UP aim to accomplish?

GEAR UP is working to encourage students to graduate from high school and continue into college. Research suggests that integrating college access programs early in a student’s education and maintaining them throughout high school boosts student achievement and overall graduation rates.

The GEAR UP SWV objectives are:

Increase the academic performance and preparation for postsecondary education of GEAR UP students
Increase the rate of high school graduation and participation in postsecondary education of GEAR UP student
Increase GEAR UP students’ and their families’ knowledge of postsecondary education options, preparation, and financing.
Increase the number of students who build and exhibit social, emotional, and academic resilience.

For more information on GEAR UP, please refer to the US Department of Education website.

What types of services does GEAR UP SWV offer?

Services are provided in three main areas: student programming, parent education, and professional development for educators. Every attempt is made to tailor the programs offered to the specific needs of local schools as they relate to the objectives listed above.

Where is GEAR UP SWV available?

Our partnership grant includes Concord University, New River CTC, community organizations, business partners, and schools in Mercer, Monroe, Raleigh, Summers, and Wyoming Counties.

College (IHE) Partners

New River Community and Technical College

Concord University

GEAR UP SWV Participating Schools

Mercer

Monroe

Raleigh

Summers

Summers Comprehensive High School

Wyoming

GEAR UP SWV Parent/Guardian & Student Resources (Tutor.com, etc.)

Tutor.com – What does Tutor.com provide for parents/guardians and students?

GEAR UP SWV students, families, teachers, access 24/7 online tutoring at from Tutor.com at this link: tutor.com/GEARUPSWV
Enter Student ID (long lunch number) then your password.

Here are a few videos to help get you started!

Student Success Agency – What is Student Success Agency? (GEAR UP SWV Class of 2028)

Work Plan Forms and Policies

Local Coordinators

Media Relations/Promotional/Marketing Support

Request media coverage and media relations support by filling out this News Release Request form.

Some examples of when to use the News Release Request form include the following:

GEAR UP SWV school/county is hosting an event/workshop and wants local reporters/media to attend.
A GEAR UP SWV school/student/county has an exciting success story relevant to project goals such as FAFSA completion rates, etc.
A GEAR UP SWV student/school/county reaches an exciting milestone.
A GEAR UP SWV school/county is looking to engage parent/guardians to actively participation in an event.

2. Request an update to the GEAR UP SWV website, conocord.edu/gearup, by filling out the Website Update Request form.

Some examples of when to use the Website Update Request form include the following:

GEAR UP SWV school/county is planning a yearly program for students and you want to share FAQs about the program.
Contact information to organizations that provide resources to GEAR UP SWV students and families in your region.
Yearly professional development opportunities for GEAR UP SWV teachers.

3. Share images of your GEAR UP SWV event on central social media.

Always make sure students have permission to be photographed before you share images by:

Sending an email gearup@concord.edu to request the link to share images directly to a folder on One Drive.
Or you check with GEAR UP SWV central office Local Coordinators to request the direct link.
Share images via messenger on Facebook – GEAR UP SWV.

Always provide date, location, and description of the image. This can be done via Facebook messenger, an email to your Central Office LC or to garup@concord.edu Some examples of when to share images include:

GEAR UP SWV students/school/county attends a college for a visit
GEAR UP SWV students/school/county hosts a program/event without media coverage

Images could be used on the following sites:

4. Download a 2023 National GEAR UP Week Toolkit to engage raise awareness about GEAR UP and GEAR UP SWV!

The kit includes:

GEAR UP SWV communication summary statements
Summary of National GEAR UP Week
Ways to get involved on social media including a list of GEAR UP SWV sites, hashtags, national themed days, and more
Media release template
Photo Opportunity flyer
Blank thank you card to send to congress

Finance

GEAR UP Southern West Virginia (SWV) Announcements/Press Releases

YEAR ONE, 2022-2023

YEAR TWO, 2023-2024

Summers Comprehensive High School

Wyoming County

In order to make your experience the best it can be, please allow four weeks before your desired campus visit date for planning and processing purposes.

GEAR UP SWV Campus Visit Request Form