Since 1989, the St. Olaf College Upward Bound Program has successfully provided postsecondary preparatory support to low-income, first-generation youth per year in our target area. St. Olaf TRIO Upward Bound currently serves 148 students from St. Paul Public Schools, including Central High School, Creative Arts Secondary, Humboldt High School, Highland Park High School, and Open World Learning Community. Over 2,800 youth attending the Target Schools qualify for St. Olaf College Upward Bound services. These young people come from families who are struggling for survival, whose lives are even more difficult because of current economic inequities in the Target Area. Many students at these schools face the effects of poverty, and current urban conditions impact dropout rates, school resources, counselor-to-student ratios and college matriculation.
St. Olaf College Upward Bound’s services are designed to generate the skills and motivation necessary for participants to complete a program of secondary education, enter a program of postsecondary education, and earn a four-year college degree. St. Olaf Upward Bound’s excellent program design has resulted in the program retention of over 98% of all students served until they complete their program of secondary education.
St. Olaf College Upward Bound students have attended a wide variety of post-secondary institutions which include the University of Minnesota (Twin Cities and Duluth), Hamline University, St. Cloud and Minnesota (Mankato) State Universities, Inver Hills Community College, and Augsburg, Gustavus Adolphus, Macalester and St. Olaf College, among others.
Click here to download the St. Olaf College Upward Bound Program Profile
The Bridge program is an integral service offered to St. Olaf College Upward Bound high school graduates. Graduating seniors enroll in a tuition-free summer course taught by a St. Olaf College professor and the credit transfers to any post-secondary institution the Bridge student attends. Upward Bound students do well in college compared to their peers; 67.1% will either complete their program of postsecondary education within six years or continue to progress towards earning their degree.
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