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Upward Bound - College Readiness Completion of 8th-12th Grade

Upward Bound is an equal opportunity, federally funded, U.S. Department of Education TRIO program, providing free college readiness programming for high school students whose family’s taxable income meets federal low income guidelines, and/or whose parents did not earn a bachelor’s degree (student would be the first generation in their family to graduate with a bachelor’s degree).
The Itasca TRIO Upward Bound (Itasca UB) program provides year-round academic support services to prepare high school students to successfully transition into college with a goal of completing post-secondary education.
Their website provides in-depth details about all opportunities and programs.  
Website: https://www.minnesotanorth.edu/student-services/trio/itasca-upward-bound/
For more information, please contact:
Toni Wick, Program Director
toni.wick@minnesotanorth.edu, 218-322-2461
Kelci Ahlstrom, Advisor
Kelci.ahlstrom@minnesotanorth.edu, 218-322-2462
Bigfork, Deer River, Northland-Remer and McGregor schools
Tashanna Martinetto, Advisor
Tashanna.martinetto@minnesotanorth.edu, 218-322-2463
Grand Rapids, Greenway, and Hill City schools

 

Academic Year Services 

  • Weekly contact at each high school through both individual and small group sessions. This includes tutoring, homework help, completing college and career related activities, and monitoring and tracking of student academic progress through both individual and small group sessions.
  • Saturday Workshops one time per month that include cultural experiences, social events, ACT preparation, college visits, volunteer projects, and service-learning activities.

Summer Services 

  • A six-week academic summer program that includes staying in Itasca dormitories Monday – Friday
  • Academic courses taught by college and high school faculty that are specifically designed to give Upward Bound students a head start on the next year’s high school courses.
  • Nightly cultural, social, and recreational activities designed to prepare students for college and adult life, build leadership and social skills, and broaden student awareness and appreciation of the world.
  • Educationally oriented weeklong trip that includes college visits and other fun activities.

TRIO Upward Bound students may also earn stipends for meeting certain GPA expectations and participating in Upward Bound activities, students are paid a monthly stipend. Juniors and seniors successfully completing a professional internship may earn $200-$300.

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