GEAR UP HAWAI‘I

GEAR UP Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i P-20’s college access grant, is utilizing a coordinated, regional “6-16” approach to provide students with developmentally appropriate support to help them successfully complete high school, then enroll and persist in college. This seven-year discretionary grant is designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.

6-16 high schools work with their feeder middle schools and higher education partners (UH campuses) to develop and implement a vertically-aligned, comprehensive 6-16 college and career program that will provide counseling and support for students to explore career interests, develop their Personalized Transition Plans (PTP), engage in work-based learning opportunities, transition successfully through the 6-16 pipeline, and eventually attain their career goals.

To help schools focus on their services, 6-16 middle schools coordinate activities that address college and career aspirations (e.g., a college pledge event, a college visit), while high school partners provide services focused on supporting their juniors students in preparing for college. In addition, middle school, high school, and college partners coordinate summer programs that focus on academic enrichment or transition.