Upward Bound (UB) is a federally-funded educational TRIO program designed to prepare students for postsecondary education. The Upward Bound program at LAYC features an innovative and nontraditional partnership consisting of a local community-based organization (The Latin American Youth Center), a major national civil rights organization (The National Council of La Raza), and a well-respected research based university (The George Washington University Graduate School of Education and Human Development). This nontraditional consortium was designed to serve a population typically underserved, in relation to their eligibility, by federal programs: Latino, language-minority and immigrant students. Out of four UB programs in the District of Columbia, the UB@LAYC is the only program that services the Latino population. This unique collaboration and program model has facilitated success to the Upward Bound Program at LAYC. For each partner brings their own expertise and resources to the program.

Eligibility

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident;
• First Generation to attend college;
• Attend a DCPS target high school;
• Need of academic support ;
• Desire to go to college;
• Be a current student at: Lincoln Multicultural Middle School; Garnett Patterson Middle School; Francis Junior High School; Deal Junior High School; McFarland Middle School; Paul Junior High School; Bell Multicultural High School; Cesar Chavez; Cardozo High School; Roosevelt High School; and
• If student is accepted he/she must commit to participate in the program both academic and summer component.

Requirements

• Satisfy eligibility requirement
• Students apply in September and in January
• Intake and Interview
• Copy of report card
• 1 Counselor recommendation
• 2 Teacher recommendations
• Meeting with Parent and Student
• Complete Upward Bound Application

The Academic Year Component

The intensive academic year component provides:

• Weekly tutorial assistance for students with grades C or below;
• Weekly 5 hour Saturday Academy sessions focused on the core academic courses: mathematics (algebra 1 through pre-calculus/calculus); English (composition, literature, and public speaking); computer applications; tutoring; and counseling are taught in fifty (50) minutes blocks;
• College and university tours;
• Cultural, educational, and recreational activities; and
• Academic and personal counseling with emphasis on the college application process, securing financial aid, and transitioning from high school to college.

Program Hours

Staff office hours: Tuesday - Friday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. - Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Participant hours: Tuesday - Friday 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. - Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Summer Program at the George Washington University

Program Benefits

• Supplemental Instruction in the core subject areas: Math, Science, English, Language
• Three weeks are residential
• Summer college tours
• Student Workshops: Life Skills, College Planning, Career Exploration, Self-esteem workshops

Program Hours

Hours of operation: 8:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Three Weeks are Residential at The George Washington University

Parent Involvement

• Must attend Parent/student interview
• Must attend academic and summer orientations
• Work together with Upward Bound staff in monitoring student’s academic progress
• Upward encourages parents to participate in Parent Teacher Meeting (PTA)

Upward Bound's Formula for Success

Contact Information

Jettie Norfleet
Program Director
202.319.2247
jettie@layc-dc.org

Diana Bermudez
Curriculum and Evaluation Specialist
202.319.8644
diana@layc-dc.org

Felix Dominguez
Academic Advisor
202.319.2285
felix@layc-dc.org

Monica Fernandez
Academic Advisor
202.319.2271
monica@layc-dc.org

Cindy B. Pineda
Academic Advisor
202.319.3082
cindy@layc-dc.org

Funded by the Trio Department of Education

Natinal Council of La Raza - NCLR
The National Council of La Raza (NCLR), established in 1968 to provide support to local, community-based organizations, is the largest constituency-based national Hispanic organization in the nation. NCLR has over 200 affiliates who together serve 37 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia - and a broader network of more than 20,000 groups and individuals nationwide. Capacity-building assistance to support and strengthen local Hispanic groups focuses on resource development, program operations, management, and governance, as well as on program specific technical assistance and training, for a variety of program areas, including education.

The George Washington University
The Graduate School of Education and Human Development of The George Washington University is committed to providing the highest quality education services to its students. Continuous self-examination and improvement are fundemental values of the school’s education and human development professionals. The University’s unique location in the nation’s capital, a vibrant, multi-cultural center, offers a broad range of resources and opportunities to the student and faculty community. Through the development of innovative research programs, the school contributes in diverse ways to local communities and the nation, and actively participates in the international community of scholarship.