OPPORTUNITY

Polk State College is an active partner to our community of over 22,000 high school students.  It is a responsibility that we nurture by creating an environment that encourages all students, as well as faculty and staff in the pursuit of academic excellence.

The Upward Bound project of Polk State College is designed to prepare students in grades 9 through 12 for success in post-secondary education.  Upward Bound accomplishes this goal by assisting six schools (Auburndale High, Haines City High, Lake Region High, Lake Wales High, Ridge Community High and Winter Haven High) in their efforts to develop the academic and motivational potential of students who are interested in pursuing a college degree.

SERVICES PROVIDED:

*  Academic Skills Preparation
*  Tutoring
*  Personal Counseling
*  Academic Advising
*  Social Skills Development
*  Career Planning
*  Cultural Enrichment
*  Parent Workshops and Counseling
*  College Application Assistance
*  Financial Aid Workshops & Application Assistance
*  Standardized Test Preparation (FCAT, PSAT, SAT, ACT)

QUALIFICATIONS

An applicant must:

*  Be a student in the 9th, 10th or 11th grade who attends a target Polk County secondary school
*  Have family income which falls within guidelines established by the Federal Government
*  Be a potential "first generation college student" (neither parent has earned a four-year college degree)

ACADEMIC YEAR

The academic component of Upward Bound is held in conjunction with the regular academic school year.
During Discovery Saturdays, students participate in a variety of educational and social activities.  Individual needs assessment enables instruction and counseling to be tailored to each student.

DISCOVERY SUMMER

Upward Bound's six week Discovery Summer occurs on Polk State College's Winter Haven Campus.  Students take part in an intensive curriculum with individual programs of study geared toward their particular academic needs and career goals.

DISCOVERY SUMMER ACTIVITIES

*  Academic enrichment courses
*  Career Exploration
*  Educational and occupational site visits
*  Incentive-based field trips
*  Cultural and historical activities

To apply, obtain an application from the Upward Bound office at Polk State College. Call 863.292.3705.

UPWARD BOUND CONTACT INFORMATION

Dann Hazel, M.Ed.
Director, Upward Bound
Phone: 863.292.3707
E-mail:  dhazel@polk.edu

Linda Lowery, M.Ed.
Academic Advisor
Phone:  863.292.3706
E-mail:  llowery@polk.edu

Patricia Daniels
Program Assistant
Phone:  863.292.3705
E-mail:  pdaniels@polk.edu

Polk State College is committed to and encourages equal opportunity/equity/access for its programs, services, and activities.

Winter Haven * Lakeland * Lake Wales
2009 - 2010 Funding Level $250,000