Overview

    The Upward Bound program at Roxbury Community College is a federally-funded college preparatory program that provides academic support to Boston Public high school students in their preparation for post secondary education. We provide opportunities for participants to successfully graduate from high school and ultimately from a college of their choice, equipped with the necessary academic, social and financial skills.

    The program service Boston Public high school students from low-income families and/or families in which neither parent holds a college degree who are preparing to enter postsecondary education. Our primary goal is to increase the rates at which students of low-income families enroll in and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education.

    The Upward Bound program at RCC is unlike other pre-college programs serving residents of Boston. We implement an integrated curriculum that utilizes digital media technology to engage student learning. Covering the gamut from lessons in fractions, equations, geometry, patterns, relationship, problem-solving to creative activities such as computer-based music composition and production, the emphasis of this curriculum is on helping students to develop their own creative and problem-solving abilities via both traditional and non-traditional pedagogical approaches. As such, students enjoy access to RCC resources, a digital media laboratory equipped with Reason 2.5, a music production software; Piano Suite, Midi keyboards, Web-design/Multimedia and Algebra I software. Students also receive weekly tutoring, academic advising, and classroom instructions in Language Arts, Science, Latin, Algebra I, Geometry, and Digital Music Production during the regular academic school year. In the summer, July to August, students also participate in an intensive six (6) weeks academic program of activities that include classroom instructions, overnights at Northeastern University, and field trips to various parts of the United States, visiting educational and cultural sites.

    Since 1999, the program has provided academic support to over 250 Boston high school students from Hyde Park High, Madison Park High, Jerimiah Burke High, English High, Snowden High, J.D.O’ Bryant, Dorchester New Mission High, among others. Each participant in the program is paid a small stipend of forty (40) dollars during the regular academic year and $60.00 during the summer session. In addition, qualified high school juniors and seniors are assigned work-study slots within the various departments at RCC campus, June to August, and each received a stipend of $300 per month. Below is a sample of our activities. Also check out our DVD.