Upward Bound

The South Seattle College TRIO Upward Bound Program (UB) is funded by the US Department of Education and serves selected students at Evergreen, Highline, and Tyee High Schools, along with Highline Virtual Academy, in the Highline School District. UB provides low-income and potential first-generation students with college access programming and opportunities to improve their skills and motivation to complete high school, go to college, and graduate from college.

UB Students Are Dedicated! Upward Bound students create a supportive, non-judgmental environment to encourage each other in reaching their goals of finishing high school, gaining access to college, and completing a two or four-year degree.

Summer Academy:

UB students immerse themselves in a six-week non-residential summer program held on the South Seattle College campus. Students participate in an integrated curriculum on core academic subjects that may include math, science, foreign language, writing, SAT test prep, arts and college preparation coursework. Students that participate in the in-person Summer Academy are eligible to earn high school credit through a partnership with the Highline School District. All Summer Academy participants are eligible to earn a cash stipend for their participation.

Summer Academy students are focused on academic coursework during the week. There are options for students to participate in Summer Academy in person or online. On most Fridays, staff and student leaders facilitate field trips consisting of service learning, cultural, and college related experiences.

Academic Year:

There are UB staff placed at our target schools each day. These staff are trained in supporting students with various aspects of supporting high school students, including:

Academic advising

College and career exploration and planning

Study skills and test-taking strategies

Tutoring in academic subjects

Educational field trips
College application support

Recruitment:

The UB recruitment process typically begins at the beginning of the second semester for all high schools. First year students are offered the opportunity to apply for one of the limited spots in the program. Students fill out an application form and answer essay questions. Applicants interview for the chance to be a part of the program. Once interviews are completed, a selection committee recommends a cohort of UB students for participation in UB for four years of active college access programming. Occasionally, there will be UB spots available for non-first year students. Those spots will be filled as needed.

Students interested in applying to the program should contact the UB staff member here at their particular school.

To participate in Upward Bound, students must met the following requirements:

Attend Tyee High School, Highline High School, Evergreen High School, or Highline Virtual Academy.
Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Must demonstrate a need for academic support, as verified by UB staff, in order to successfully pursue a program of education beyond high school.
At the time of initial selection, participants must have completed the eighth grade but not entered the twelfth grade. They must be at least 13 years old but not older than 19.
Two-thirds (2/3) of the participants are required to be both low-income and first-generation college bound students. The annual low-income levels are provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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