Upward Bound Classic (UBC) is a federally funded TRIO program which prepares 9th - 12th grade students in targeted Akron Public Schools for post-secondary education. 

Program Objectives:

  1. 60% of participants served during the project year will have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better on a four-point scale at the end of the school year.
  2. 80% of UB seniors served during the project year will have achieved a proficient level on state assessments in reading/language arts and math.
  3. 75% of project participants served during the project year will continue in school for the next academic year, at the next grade level, or will have graduated from secondary school with a regular secondary school diploma. 60% of all current and prior year participants, who at the time of entrance into the project had an expected high school graduation date in the school year, will complete a rigorous secondary school program of study and graduate in that school year with a regular secondary school diploma.
  4. 60% of all current and prior UB participants, who at the time of entrance into the project had an expected graduation date in the school year, will enroll in a program of post-secondary education by the fall term immediately following high school graduation or will have received notification, by fall term immediately following high school, from an institution of higher education, of acceptance but deferred enrollment until the next academic semester (e.g. spring semester).
  5. 50% of participants who enrolled in a program of post-secondary education, by the fall term immediately following high school graduation or by the next academic term (e.g. spring term) as a result of acceptance by deferred enrollment, will attain either an associate or bachelor’s degree within six years following graduation from high school.

Academic Year Services:

  • Academic workshops
  • School visits
  • After-school tutoring
  • ACT/SAT preparation and fee waivers
  • Academic assessments
  • Educational/cultural field trips, including college tours
  • Financial aid information
  • Scholarship applications
  • Stipend, if requirements are met

Summer Component: UB also includes a six-week residential enrichment program. Students receive academic instruction based on their upcoming fall high school schedule. Students also attend cultural and recreational activities. At the end of the intensive summer program, students are eligible to attend a culminating trip which includes college tours.

Bridge Component: Current year high school graduates are eligible to participate in the Bridge Component. Tuition and books are covered for applicable course work at The University of Akron.

Requirements:

  1. You must be entering 9th-11th grade living within the Akron Public Schools District with the desire and motivation to succeed academically and to attend college.  Admission into the program is on a rolling basis.
  2. You must maintain a 2.50 grade point average.
  3. Two-thirds of participants must meet federal income guidelines and be potential first-generation college students.

Application: