Upward Bound is designed for students who have the desire and potential to further their education but lack certain academic skills and therefore are not prepared for college.For many students, it is the academic component and its services that influences them to join the program.

Students admitted into the program sign a contract agreeing to make their academic studies and personal development a priority. Every participant in the program is willing to work very hard and do their best.

College admission requirements are discussed with students to inform and prepare them for successful admission. Students that are not academically prepared or that are deficient on credits receive "special attention" services to put them back on track.

Tutoring is offered to all students free of cost at each one of the target high school for two hours a week Tuesday through Thursday.

The tutoring is designed to improve academic skills and enhance the student's learning process and knowledge base.

Tutors assist both the instructors and professional staff as they work individually with students to complete their educational goals. During weekly staff meetings, tutors report on each student's progress and design strategies to help students improve their academic performance.

Students who need additional tutorial assistance or who cannot attend the weekly tutorial session because of an illness, work, a school function or other extracurricular activity, can attend one of the study sessions offered on Saturdays at the CSU, Fresno campus. These sessions allow students to get a feeling of what college life is like and allowing them access to the university's library, computers and other resources.

Stipends of $10.00 to $40.00 or more are awarded monthly to students who are working hard to achieve their goals and who are meeting the program's participation and attendance requirements. This monetary reward encourages students to do their best and continue with their excellent performance.

Upward Bound students are exposed to general scientific concepts and are challenged wi th hands-on experiments. Students learn that science is all around us and that it can be fun to learn. Students also go on field trips to places such as the Monterey Bay Aquarium, San Francisco Zoo, Yosemite National Park, and Marine World.

Upward Bound believes that parental involvement is essential for student success. Therefore, the program offers several avenues for parent to become involved in their student's education.

The program offers a variety of parent workshops throughout the year about different topics. Parents are also kept very well informed about their child's academic status, progress and program participation. Academic status reports are sent to teachers once every semester to get feedback about each student's class performance, behavior, particpation, attitude, attendance, homework and test scores.

Home visits are also conducted throughout the year to inform parents about their child's progress.

Students are taken on several field trips and are exposed to different educational points of interest, as well as different college and universities.

Upward Bound is an academic program, but believes that education can also be fun. Therefore, the program also takes students to places such as Great America, Disneyland, Magic Mountain and Universal Studios where students are exposed to people from all over the world.

A UB math or English Class and earn up to ten high school review / elective credits

Partnership summer school for original credit.

Communty College for a jump on college credits.

Students have access to the library, computers, bookstore, gym, recreational facilities and other campus resources they might need to use just like any other college student.

Throughout the day students also have more time to study and relax. During the evenings they attend fun elective classes and receive further exposure to a Spanish class, a literature class or an advanced math class.