Program Components

Potential Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math and Science participants MUST be committed to participating in all program activities on a yearly basis. The Programs are composed of three components: (1) Academic Year Component; (2) Summer Residential Component and (3) Bridge Component.

Academic Year Component

• Tutoring: During the school year Upward Bound students are required to attend three hours of tutoring each week.
   
• Academic Saturday: To provide academic assistance, students attend classes from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on the first and third Saturday mornings of every month. Instruction is given in the following courses:
   
• Mathematics:
  Algebra I & II, Geometry, Pre-calculus/Calculus
   
• Science:
  Biology, Chemistry and Physics
   
• English:
  Reading/Study Skills, Writing & Composition, Speech
   
• Foreign Language:
  Spanish and French

Summer Residential Component 

Upward Bound conducts a six-week residential summer component. Students stay on Johnson C. Smith University’s campus, and are exposed to the various facets of “life on a college campus.” Upward Bound is designed to assist students with the challenges of a college-prep curriculum at their high school. Therefore, students are required to take classes in the core curriculum, which include: Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus, biology Chemistry, Physics, English, French and Spanish. In addition, students are offered life skill classes (Cultural Affairs, African-American History, Computer Skills, Business and Finance, Writing Skills, SAT Prep, College Prep, Art, Music, Dance, Creative Writing). Other activities during the Summer Residential Component include:

• Personal Development Program
• Career Awareness Day
• Social and recreational activities
• Character Development
• Field trip including college tour
• Awards Banquet 

In addition to the core curriculum, students who are participants in the Upward Bound Math and Science Program are required to participate in intensive math and science training such as:

• Computer Engineering
• Participant conducted scientific research
• Forensics

Bridge Program

The Bridge Program is designed to provide students with an academic experience that will make their transition from high school to college easier.

Bridge students are given the opportunity to involve themselves in the ultimate college experience by taking up to six college credit hours during the summer. These credits are transferable to the student’s college of choice.

Eligibility requirements for participating in Bridge are as follows: 

• Must have a high school diploma
• Must have a minimum core GPA of 2.5
• Must have accumulated a minimum of 600 behavioral points at end of the Academic Year Component
• Must have been accepted into a college/university
• Must be commitment to the entire six-week summer component 

The Bridge Component starts concurrently with the Summer Component. Bridge students participate in some of the same activities as the high school participants, including meals and Residence Hall meetings. They are required to abide by the same standards of conduct established for Upward Bound participants. In addition to these standards, Bridge will experience rules and responsibilities comparable to those of the postsecondary level. The curriculum for Bridge participants is, but not limited to:

• Two University courses (Math, Science or English)
• One afternoon elective
• A weekly focus group facilitated by Program Counselors
• A non-transferable study skills class
• A community service project
• Work-Study Program