About the Program
Since 1965, the Umass Boston Upward Bound Program has enjoyed continuous funding, making it one of the oldest existing Upward Bound Programs in the country. We work with over 100 high school students each year, enrolled at Dorchester Educational Complex, Jeremiah E. Burke, Madison Park, South Boston Educational Complex and West Roxbury Educational Complex. Understanding the financial needs of our target population, Upward Bound provides students with a small monthly stipend during the academic year and the summer session. On average, 98% of the Program's graduates are accepted to at least one post-secondary educational institution annually.
Our students attend our residential academic program during the summer and engage in programming after-school during the school year.
Summer Program
The Upward Bound academic residential summer program is an intensive six week endeavor which gives all Upward Bound students a chance to experience college life while learning relevant, hands-on material in their daily courses. All students take four academic classes in English, Math, Science, and skill-building (Speech and Debate, Media Literacy, and Senior Seminar). After classes, students have a chance to finish all their homework with the help of tutors during our supervised study hall period. In the afternoon, students participate in a variety of physical activities. We have access to a pool, basketball courts, beach volleyball courts, soccer fields, and a dance studio and students engage in many activities including yoga, football, basketball, soccer, frisbee, improvisation, and playground games. In the evenings, students participate in cultural/creative arts workshops. Workshop options include: cooking, digital yearbook, socially conscious hip hop, nature activities, dance, theater, journalism, community activism and more. We offer a series of fun and educational field trips throughout the summer. We also offer a variety of social activities each week, including Field Day, Spirit Week, Trivia Competitions, Dances, Karaoke, Open Mic, Kickball Games, Cookouts, and Talent Shows. All students live with a roommate of their choice and eat their meals in a dining hall.
Six Reasons to Attend Upward Bound Six Week Residential Summer Program:
- Relevant, Hands-on Learning
- Experience "Dorm Life"
- College Counseling
- Academic Edge over Your Peers
- Workshops, Sports, & Field Trips
- Independence!
Academic Year
During the Academic Year, students take after-school classes on Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 4pm-6pm. The courses are hands-on and incorporate alot of group work to help students prepare to take the SATs and MCAS. We host open tutoring hours on Monday and Wednesday from 6-7pm and on Tuesday and Thursday from 3-7pm. Students can bring their work from school and receive one-on-one and small group instruction. On Fridays, we take fun field trips to allow students to relax and socialize. We go bowling and ice skating. Our students complete many hours of service in the community and are given leadership opportunities. Special opportunities are always available to Upward Bound students, including but not limited to: hiking, camping, and outdoor leadership activities; dance workshops; international service trips.
