Program Services

What we offer students and parents...

Students admitted into Upward Bound will engage in two academic enrichment components: academic year programming and a six-week summer program. 

Academic Year: 

  • Individualized advisement with UB staff
  • After school tutoring services at WAHS
  • Saturday Sessions with focused topics including career exploration and planning, SAT/ACT prep, academic enrichment, the college admissions process, financial aid workshops, professionalism, and more 
  • Cultural community field trips
  • Career-oriented field trips
  • College campus visits
  • College Fairs

Student sitting at a desk in a classroom

Summer Academy:

  • 6-weeks over the summer to enhance students' academic performance the following school year or bridge to freshman year of college
  • 5 weeks at WAHS: 
  • Mentorship from UB staff, content area teachers, and college student tutor-counselors 
  • Daily teambuilding activities, games, and group projects 
  • Weekly field trips to visit and tour area colleges 
  • Book club 
  • 1-week residential stay at Kutztown University:
  • Students stay in dorms, take meals at dining halls, explore campus buildings, and experience college life 
  • Attend faculty lectures 
  • Presentations from KU Financial Aid, Admissions, Student Involvement, Athletics, Career Development Center, and more 
  • Personal and professional development workshops 
  • Daily outdoor recreation  
  • Planetarium laser light show 
  • Movie night 
  • Semi-formal dance and awards ceremony banquet  

*These services and others are provided free of charge to students admitted to Upward Bound. Additionally, students who participate in Upward Bound are under no obligation to attend Kutztown University. 

Closeup of three students in class, discussing a worksheet on the desk of the female student in the foreground.

Kutztown University Camp Week

Students work together in different activities during there week at Kutztown University

Five students holding their awards at summer award ceremony

Summer Academy Banquet

Summer instructors present a student with an award

Upward Bound students smiling in a group at their award ceremony

Kutztown University Camp Week

Upward Bound students receive awards

Circle of students and a tutor sitting in a circle and playing a board game

Building Lasting Relationships

A student and tutor counselor bond during a game at an open activity period.

Closeup of three students in class, discussing a worksheet on the desk of the female student in the foreground.
Five students holding their awards at summer award ceremony
Upward Bound students smiling in a group at their award ceremony
Circle of students and a tutor sitting in a circle and playing a board game

KU Upward Bound 2019 Summer Academy Video

This short video features our students' experiences from the 2019 Summer Academy!