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About Upward Bound: History, Services

Coffeville-Calhoun Program: Eligibility, Qualifying, Summer Institute

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“Knowledge makes the difference”

For over 25 years, The University of Mississippi’s Division of Outreach and Summer Programs has been committed to meeting the education and cultural needs of high school students in our region. Through the years we have watched these young people grow up as they progressed from one of our programs to the next. Many have eventually enrolled at The University of Mississippi as university students to continue the journey they began here years before.

The University of Mississippi is proud to partner with Upward Bound, a program designed to provide academic, cultural and career opportunities to help students expand their knowledge and develop new ideas as they develop the skills necessary to succeed in college.

What is Upward Bound?

The Higher Education Act of 1965 established several programs to ensure equal opportunities. Upward Bound is one of the oldest programs funded under Special Programs for Disadvantaged Backgrounds (TRIO) to encourage the academic growth of students. The TRIO programs came into existence out of the Johnson administration’s 1965 “War on Poverty.” In addition to Upward Bound, the TRIO programs include Talent Search programs, Math/Science Upward Bound Centers, McNair Post-Baccalaureate programs, Student Support Services, Veteran Upward Bound programs, and Education Opportunity Centers.

Upward Bound is a federally funded program of the US Department of Education.($220,00/yr budget).

The guiding philosophy behind all of these programs is to supplement the existing education available to disadvantaged students, and to prepare those students for academic success at all education levels. Disadvantaged students are from low-income families and/or potentially the first college graduates in their families.

Upward Bound is a pre-college enrichment program that

• offers academic counseling
• tailors educational plans to the individual
• monitors academic progress
• provides individual tutoring
• offers Saturday Academies
• partners with universities to offer Summer College Institutes
• enables students to make a successful transition from high school to college
• provides financial aid application assistance
• grants work study opportunities and offers incentive stipends
• provides ACT preparation
• presents social, career, cultural, and recreational opportunities

What is the Coffeeville-Calhoun Upward Bound Program?

The Coffeeville-Calhoun Upward Bound Program serves 50 students in the Coffeeville and Calhoun County School Districts and is a pre-college academic achievement program designed to help students develop the motivation and skills that are required to graduate from high school and successfully complete a college degree.

The goals of the Coffeeville-Calhoun Upward Bound Program are:

• to enroll and maintain 50 participants on roll at all times
• to increase student grade point averages (GPA’s)
• to increase student scores on annual achievement tests for academic subjects
• to facilitate student advancement to next grade level
• to raise junior and senior scores to a level at or above the state average on college admissions tests
• to enroll 80 percent of the high school graduates of the program in postsecondary institutions
• to realize a 60 percent graduation rate at the postsecondary level
• to realize a 90 percent graduation rate at the high school level

What are the benefits to the Upward Bound student?

• ACT prep classes
• Strong academic preparation for college
• Year-round tutoring sessions to promote greater understanding of academic subjects
• Grade improvement
• Assistance with selection, admission, and financial aid application processes required to attend college
• Academic advising
• Field trips
• Career exploration activities
• Chance to meet other college-bound students

What are the selection criteria?

A student must

• be a U.S. citizen or be a permanent resident of the U.S.
• be first generation and/or low-income
• be at least 13-19 years of age
• have completed the 8th grade in good academic standing
• be a student at a qualifying school or live in the Coffeeville or Calhoun County School District areas

What are the qualifying schools in the Coffeeville and Calhoun County School Districts?

• Bruce High School
• Calhoun City High School
• Coffeeville High School
• Vardaman High School

What is the Summer Institute at Ole Miss?

Students participating in the Coffeeville-Calhoun Upward Bound Program attend six-week Summer College Institute at The University of Mississippi in Oxford. Students enroll in biology, chemistry, physics, all levels of math, college preparatory writing, computer applications, student skills, a foreign language, college and career classes, and a speech communication class. By the student’s last summer with the program, the course work completed closely resembles a college-prep curriculum.

Who do I contact for more information?

Coffeeville-Calhoun County Upward Bound

Judy R. Kellum
Coffeeville School District
16849 Okahoma Street
Coffeeville, MS 38922

office: 662-675-8941, ext. 1041
fax: 662-675-5004
home: 662-647-9410