Gear Up (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a federal grant
that has functioned in Goldendale since 2005. We are part of a national effort to help students from low-income families prepare for and succeed in higher education by providing activities, information and the educational opportunities and support necessary for students to be successful in college. Along with thirteen other school districts in the Skagit and Yakima Valleys, our grant is administered through the UW’s office of Diversity and Minority Affairs.

     Our first Gear Up cohort, the class of 2012, earned a record amount of scholarships and financial aid at graduation, over $1 million, the most of any graduating class in Goldendale High’s history.  In addition to helping with that, Gear Up has…

• Increased FAFSA completion for seniors.
• Initiated and funded our award-winning VEX Robotics program.
• Facilitated a free-ride scholarship for a GHS senior to the University of Washington.
• Introduced and funded the WEB and LINK transition programs to get our incoming 5^th and 9^th graders off to a strong, confident start.
• Increased the number of students visiting college campuses prior to high school graduation.
• Provided specific technology to the middle and high schools, and has trained teachers and provided curriculum for advanced technology classes, in alignment with the district’s goals.
• Gear Up has increased the number of students taking the PSAT and SAT because of funding.