About Upward Bound

G-50 Gardner Steel Conference Center
412-648-1957

Go beyond your expectations, and achieve academic success with Upward Bound, a dynamic college-readiness program at the University of Pittsburgh. Upward Bound provides fundamental support to high school students in preparation for college by giving them the edge they need to improve grades, develop social skills, and identify interests and potential career paths.

Upward Bound, part of the Academic Resource Center, is designed specifically for high school students in Pittsburgh from low income families or from families where neither parent holds a bachelor’s degree. The goal of Upward Bound is to increase the rate at which students complete their high school education and enroll in and graduate from post secondary institutions.

BUILDING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

During the school year, Upward Bound students participate in a structured after-school tutorial support program on the University of Pittsburgh’s Oakland campus. Professional staff members, as well as Pitt student tutors, provide high school students with the building blocks that they need in order to excel and attain academic excellence. Participating students receive academic support and tutoring for a variety of high school subjects including the sciences, math, history, languages, reading comprehension, and writing; they attend workshops on academic success and life skills; and enjoy incentive-based stipends that reward students’ efforts and enhance academic and personal development.

THE GATEWAY TO YOUR FUTURE

Upward Bound is for students who want to expand their horizons and open up a world of opportunities. Not only do students learn how to achieve academic success in high school, they are exposed to resources that can help them more confidently make the transition to college. Throughout the program, students receive guidance about the college admissions process, information on how to take the college entrance exams, learn more about financial aid procedures, and visit a variety of colleges and universities. By the time students graduate from high school they will be well equipped with what it takes to attend and graduate from the college of their choice and will have also discovered new possibilities and hope for the future.

To see a calendar of events for Upward Bound students, click here.

TUTORS

Upward Bound is recruiting University of Pittsburgh students who are at least in their sophomore year to tutor area high school students during the academic school year. If you are looking for an exciting and rewarding position, consider being an Upward Bound tutor. Tutors choose from a variety of subjects, including English, Science, Foreign Language, and SAT preparation, as well as many other courses. Upward Bound offers a flexible tutoring schedule with afternoon and evening hours that should fit most schedules. For more information on how you can make a difference in a student’s life, call 412-648-1957.

SUMMER RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM

Upward Bound offers a six-week summer residential program at Pitt’s Oakland campus that prepares high school students for college through a variety of carefully designed cultural, academic, and social activities. The program is built around an academic curriculum supplemented with events, field trips including college visits, and life skills projects, designed to give students the complete on-campus college experience.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS