Upward Bound
Upward Bound is a national, federally-funded TRIO program that prepares and motivates high school students to pursue a college education. The goal of the program is to increase the rates at which program participants enroll in and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education. The first program was funded in 1965, and today there are over 800 Upward Bound programs in the United States and US Territories.
Stanford Upward Bound is an exciting, four-year academic program that challenges students to develop the skills, study habits, discipline, and attitude necessary to be successful in high school and college. Upward Bound (UB) offers a year-round comprehensive guidance and academic support program to help students meet the challenge of preparing for higher education.
Information for Stanford Students
Information for High School Students
Information for Stanford Students
There are many great ways to get involved with the Stanford Upward Bound program! Volunteer and work opportunities are divided into academic year and summer positions.
Click here for the Stanford Student tutor application.
Target Schools
Stanford Upward Bound currently serves four schools in the Sequoia Union School District and Ravenswood City School District. Links and contact information for these schools are provided below.
East Palo Alto High School
475 Pope Street
Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 329-2811
www.epahs.org
Menlo-Atherton High School
555 Middlefield Road
Atherton, CA 94027
(650) 322-5311
www.mabears.org
Sequoia High School
1201 Brewster Avenue
Redwood City, CA 94062
(650) 367-9780
www.sequoiahs.org
Woodside High School
199 West Churchill Avenue
Woodside, CA 94062
(650) 367-9750
www.woodsidehs.org
Students who qualify for work-study funding may be eligible to earn money while tutoring for Stanford Upward Bound.To download applications and forms visit http://haas.stanford.edu/index.php/item/386. For more information, contact: Yvette Zepeda at yvetteg@stanford.edu.
Information for High School Students
For more information on joining Upward Bound, visit: http://www.stanford.edu/group/Upward_Bound.
Academic Year Activities
The academic year component is designed to provide academic support to high school students during the school year. Academic support and college preparation includes:
- Weekly Tutoring – UB students meet with Stanford University students for tutoring after school at the target school sites.
- Saturday Workshops – UB students attend monthly Saturday workshops coordinated and conducted by Stanford University students serving as tutor coordinators and tutors. Workshops address study skills, career exploration, the college and financial aid application process, life skills, and other related areas.
- College & Career Awareness – Students participate in college visits and other educational field trips. Guest presenters are invited to speak about various colleges, majors and careers. Students learn about the requirements for admission to public and private colleges and universities. Career assessments are administered annually to help students set and achieve personal, educational, and career goals.
- Advising – UB professional and student staff regularly monitor each participant’s academic progress during the school year and provide advising on selecting college-preparatory courses that will enable them to be eligible for highly competitive universities.
- Test Preparation - Students practice the PSAT and SAT in preparation for standardized exams administered in school and in preparation for applying to colleges.
- Leadership Development – A small group of students are selected each year to serve on the Student Advisory Board (SAB), to represent the UB program at school/community functions, to serve as advisors on UB program policies, and to fundraise for activities. Students in SAB will also have the opportunity to participate in leadership development activities throughout the year.
Summer Residential Program
The purpose of the summer residential program is to expose students to college life while they are in high school. Students take college preparation courses and live in residence halls on the Stanford campus for five weeks each summer. At the end of the summer, they are eligible to participate in a week-long college tour. Participants also:
- Receive academic, personal and career counseling
- Take two college-preparatory courses
- Learn about the college and university admission process
- Attend recreational and educational field trips
- Participate in personal, cultural, and leadership development activities
- Engage in community service
- Develop effective study habits
How do students join Upward Bound?
All services listed are provided free of charge to participants. Students interested in applying to the program must meet the following criteria:
- Be eighth graders who plan to attend Menlo-Atherton, Woodside, or East Palo Alto High School in the following year, OR be current ninth graders at these schools.
- Meet family income guidelines as determined by the U.S. Department of Education.
- Be first-generation college bound (meaning neither parent has earned a degree from a 4-year college)
- Be a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.
- Show a sincere desire to improve academically
- Demonstrate strong interest in and potential for succeeding in college
Contact: Daisy Sanchez, Program Coordinator, daisyc@stanford.edu or (650) 725-1663.