Academics

Upward Bound

The Salem State University Upward Bound Program provides comprehensive program services to sixty-five eligible youth attending Lawrence public schools. All students must meet the essential criteria of being low-income and/or first-generation college-bound students between the ages of thirteen and nineteen. Moreover, enrolled students must exhibit a positive attitude, a high level of motivation and a desire to seek post-secondary education. As of September 1, 2007, students must also meet the added criteria of having a GPA less than 2.5, or failing MCAS scores.

Read our 2010-2011 Winter/Spring Newsletter

The Salem State University Upward Bound Program offers academic instruction, tutoring and enrichment activities throughout the school year and during a six-week summer program. The academic year component requires all program participants to attend after-school services for a minimum of four hours per week. All students are required to participate in at least two hours of tutoring, a one-hour grade-appropriate seminar and one hour of test preparation (MCAS, PSAT, SAT).

An individualized academic plan, "Plan for Success," is developed for each student based on his/her prior quarter school grades, standardized testing administered by target schools, teacher/tutor evaluations, and scores on any administered program testing. Each "Plan for Success" is designed to improve students' basic academic skills. During the academic year, program students receive a minimum of 18 sessions of individual or small-group academic advising, and career and interpersonal counseling. Community service and mentoring opportunities are also offered. All program students are also required to participate in a six-week summer residential program held at Salem State University. The host institution allows program participants' access to myriad facilities that augment the program services provided during the summer component. Each student is required to participate in over 110 hours of formal instruction in mathematics through pre-calculus, laboratory science, composition and literature, foreign language, and English-as-second language, if appropriate. Students also have the opportunity to participate in weekly workshops, various cultural and educational activities and a field trip during the final week of the summer program. In prior years, students have visited Washington, D.C., Newport, Rhode Island, New York City, and Philadelphia.

Contact Information:

Wendy Porter-Coste
SSU Upward Bound Program Director
Lawrence UB Office 
Telephone: 978.738.7680
Fax: 978.738.7180

Salem State University
Telephone: 978.542.6778
Fax: 978.542.6214
Email Address: wportercoste@salemstate.edu

Salem State College Upward Bound Program at a Glance

Eligibility criteria: Two-thirds of students served must be low-income AND first-generation; the remaining one-third must be low-income OR first-generation. All students must show academic need for services as evidenced by a GPA below 2.5, and/or failing MCAS scores. All students served must be between the ages of 13 and 19 and enrolled in target schools at the time of acceptance into the program.

Program Requirements

All students must complete a minimum of four hours per week, including two hours of tutoring, 1 hour of MCAS or SAT prep, and a one-hour personal development workshop. All students must maintain a minimum of a C average in all core classes or they will be placed on “academic probation.” All students must attend a six-week summer residential program at the college. During the summer program, all students must complete at least 125 hours of classroom instruction, including math through pre-calculus, lab science, foreign language, English composition, and literature.

Stipend

Students receive $40 per month for full participation in the academic year program, and $180 for completion of the summer program.

Annual UB Career Fair Participants

• Andover Animal Hospital
• Arthur Khoury, Esquire
• Dr. David Castillo, Chiropractor
• Dr. Joseph Minick, MD
• Lawrence Police Department
• Lawrence Public Schools
• Lawrence District Court
• Lawrence Greater Mental Health
• Lawrence Eagle Tribune
• Raytheon

Sample of Summer Program Offerings

• Project Adventure Ropes Course
• College Knowledge Seminar
• Freshmen in Transition (FIT)
• Bridge Seminar
• Weekly Speaker Series
• MIT/Wellesley Upward Bound College Fair
• University of Puerto Rico Student Exchange
• Keene State Upward Bound Exchange

Summer Work-Study Component

• Holy Family Hospital
• Raytheon
• Lawrence District Court
• Suffolk Superior Court
• Law Office
• Dental Office
• Mayor' Office in Lawrence
• Philip's Academy Bread Loaf

Program End-of-the-Summer Excursion

• Washington, D.C.
• Philadelphia, PA

Salem State University UB Exchange Programs

• Keene State College - Salem State University
• University of Puerto Rico - Salem State University