GEAR UP at Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical High School has been working diligently to change the way students view higher education. Through GEAR UP's after school sponsored "College Club" students are learning how to navigate the College Board website and select colleges that fit their particular interests. They have also been learning about various career opportunities and how to prepare for employment. It has been a challenge for many of them to commit to an after-school program each week and in the beginning, attendance was sporadic. It was particularly difficult to find ways to "sell" the college agenda to young people who spend most of their days doing hands-on activities in their respective shop classes. Many of them believe that attending a high school which requires them to be so hands-on, indicates that a college education isn't necessary. After attending a few college tours and seeing activities on at a college campus, many students gained a new respect and admiration for higher education.

Recent visits to the College of Mass Art, the Boston Museum School, and the University of Connecticut has afforded these students the opportunity to see young people like themselves engaged in art, athletics, and academics on college campuses. Students were able to see the same circumstances they previously viewed on the internet to gain first-hand knowledge about campus life and higher education.

GEAR UP at Putnam continues to sponsor programs and activities that will give vocational students the information and assistance needed to make the transition from high school to college. As students become more aware of the opportunities that a college education can provide, the expectation is that the students will choose tochoose to make the transition into college. Through the College Club, after-school tutoring, and various workshops, GEAR UP continues to play a vital role in ensuring that students are well-prepared for the next steps in their lives.

GEAR UP at The Springfield Renaissance School in Springfield, MA has the opportunity to work in an environment that differs from most traditional public schools. The Springfield Renaissance School is a college-bound middle/high school which is currently in its second year of existence. It is a public school as well as an Expeditionary Learning School. All Expeditionary Learning Schools share a set of beliefs and structures known as Design Principles and Core Practices. The Design Principles include: the primacy of self-discovery, the having of wonderful ideas, the responsibility for learning, empathy and caring, success and failure, collaboration and competition, diversity and inclusion, the natural world, solitude and reflection, and service and compassion. The Core Practice Benchmarks followed are: learning expeditions, active pedagogy, culture and character, leadership and school improvement, and structures. The school receives funding from various sources, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Eventually enrollment will consist of approximately 700 students in grades 6 through 12. This year there are approximately 420 students in our 6th, 7th, 9th, and 10th grades.

The Springfield Renaissance School follows a trimester schedule. At the end of the first and second trimesters, any students with a grade of B or higher are entitled to participate in Field Intensives. Field Intensives are enrichment programs held on or off-site which range from 1-4 days. Programs have included: Yoga, A Day in the Life of a College Student, Elementary Classroom Aides, and Drama. The GEAR UP program took on the school’s commitment to service learning by hosting a Community Service Week Intensive.

In November 2007, GEAR UP’s first Community Service Week Intensive was held. Between 5 and 13 seventh and tenth grade GEAR UP students participated. They volunteered at a local Head Start in their part-day and full-day preschool classrooms for the first two days of the week. Students learned how to engage preschoolers and be positive role models. On the last two days, students volunteered at Open Pantry’s Emergency Food Pantry. They sorted through hundreds of canned goods and prepared and gave out bags of Thanksgiving meals to people.

In March 2008, the second Community Service Week Intensive was held. Four to five 7th grade GEAR UP students participated in this week. Students volunteered at the local Ronald McDonald House on the first day. They were given a tour and background information and baked desserts for the residents. The next two days were spent at the same local Head Start from the first week. On the last day, students volunteered at Open Pantry’s Emergency Food Pantry. During lunch these experiences prompted students to think about and discuss many topics with GEAR UP Educational Advisor/Coordinator Julie Ferrara regarding finances, education, the environment, religion, cultural sensitivity, health and nutrition.

“Other schools in Lawrence should get the encouragement and help from the GEAR UP program, also. GEAR UP prepares us for high school and college and really makes you think about yourself and your future.” Jasmine Alberti, 7th grade

At South Lawrence East Middle School the 7th and 8th grade students receive GEAR UP workshops on a daily basis. GEAR UP is part of the students daily schedule as a special class. Students are given the opportunity to start planning for high school and are encouraged to “think college early”. Our students have participated in workshops on high school awareness, college awareness, study skills, career planning, and financial aid. Currently, we incorporate the 7th Habits of Highly Effective Teens program by Sean Covey into our GEAR UP Program. Besides the daily workshops, we have an after school program, where approximately 60 students receive extra help in regular and advanced Math, English and one on one tutoring. Some college visits this year include Northern Essex Community College, UMASS Lowell and Merrimack College.

Students at South Lawrence East Middle School are rewarded for their commitment and regular attendance, through incentives and fun fieldtrips. We have a strong group of committed tutors that make learning exciting.