Upward Bound
Mission Statement:
Upward Bound is a Federal TRIO Program funded 100% by the U.S. Department of Education. The Upward Bound program at College of the Desert will prepare local first generation high school students to enter and graduate from college with a Bachelor's degree. Upward Bound will provide participants with supplemental counseling, academic coursework, tutoring, and leadership development, and student/parent informational workshops.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which schools does Upward Bound at COD serve?
Currently, the program is funded to serve only students from the following three high schools, one from each district:
- Coachella Valley High School (Coachella Valley Unified School District)
- Desert Hot Springs High School (Palm Springs Unified School District)
- Indio High School (Desert Sands Unified School District)
How are students selected into Upward Bound?
Students are accepted on a space availability basis. Once accepted the student is expected to remain in the Upward Bound program until high school graduation. Selection into the program will be based on:
- Prior academic performance
- Recommendations from teachers, school counselors, and/or other school officials
- Standardized Test Scores
- Personal Interview
Services Offered By Upward Bound
Academic instruction in Math, Science, Literature and Composition, Foreign Language, Study Skills and SAT Preparation during Saturday Academy. We also provide:
- Workshops on College Admissions & Financial Aid for participating students and parents
- Financial Literacy Workshops
- Individual and Group Counseling
- Access to On-Line Tutorial Services
- College Tours and Cultural Fieldtrips
- Calculator Loan Program
Program Structure
The Upward Bound program consists of two components: the Academic Year and a Summer Session. (Students are required to attend both components each year as part of being in the Upward Bound program).
The Academic Year component includes:
- Weekend Classes: approximately 18 Saturdays of academic instruction between the months of September and May
- Tutoring
- Student/Parent Information Workshops
The Summer Session component includes:
- Intensive five-week academic courses
- One-week residential visit to four-year colleges or universities
