Alma Falconer-Ruiz, GEAR UP coordinator, has students at Mission Middle School with big goals of attending Stanford University or becoming engineers, doctors, or veterinarians.
It’s her role to help them get there.
GEAR UP, or Getting Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, is a national, grant-funded program that works with school districts with a high percentage of low-income students to prepare them for college, careers, and the future.
“We want to make sure our students are prepared for the most postsecondary options,” Dr. Joshua Lewis, Director of Secondary Education, said. “Middle school is the time for (students) to become more aware of the requirements.”
In Jurupa Unified, each middle school has a GEAR UP coordinator who supports the class of 2031 from eighth grade through their first year after graduation. Coordinators work with staff, parents, and students to engage them in college readiness and college preparedness.
“The ripple I hope this gives our students is just setting goals for themselves and knowing they can reach them (by) equipping them with the skills they need to be successful and into college,” Allison Hesler, Mira Loma Middle School Principal, said.
Coordinators will keep in touch with students after they graduate to continue to guide them through that big transition.
Currently, the GEAR UP coordinators are at each middle school and will follow current eighth graders when they promote to high school. Ms. Falconer-Ruiz will move with Mission Middle students to Patriot, Ms. Maria Arias will move with Jurupa Middle students to Rubidoux High, and Mr. Angel Garcia will transition from Mira Loma Middle School to Jurupa Valley High School.
“It’s important for students to start this path in middle school so that they know all of the options,” Ms. Falconer-Ruiz said. “We preload them (now) so that when they get to high school, they are ready and they can really work towards what they want.”
During College and Career Kickoff Month, the GEAR UP coordinators hosted various activities such as classroom and parent workshops on postsecondary education and the A-G curriculum, and offered academic tutoring to continue building relationships with students and their families.
“The goal of GEAR UP is that they know…we are here to help them explore different options and help build their skills, but most importantly, their confidence personally and academically,” Ms. Arias said.
Coordinators also meet with students one-on-one to discuss their current grades, their interests, and college and career goals.
“Connecting with students is vital for their success,” Mr. Garcia said. “The goal for this student cohort is to offer wrap-around support.”
To build connections and trust with families, coordinators have also assisted the high schools during their student and parent workshops.
“Student success… really does depend on family as well. That collaboration with families is something that we want to (continue),” Mr. Garcia said.
Although the program is focused on the class of 2031, other classes, families, and staff will benefit.
“GEAR UP is a grant that focuses on sustainability,” Dr. Lewis said. “As the students move through the grant program, the district also learns how to sustain the supports that they have been providing and build capacity at school sites.”
School and district staff will learn from the GEAR UP coordinators and partnerships. The partnership with the University of California Chancellor’s Office will teach staff to analyze student transcripts, identify gaps where students fall off, and learn the strategies and practices to bring them back on the A-G track to get them admitted into the California State University system, Dr. Lewis said.
“The comprehensive role includes helping them with academics, counseling grades, discussing behaviors, and filling in gaps where support is needed,” Ms. Falconer-Ruiz said. “My personal goal is that these (students) never feel alone.”
