History of Upward Bound and TRIO
Upward Bound (UB) emerged from the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 in response to the growing racial disparity among graduates of higher education. With the addition of two other programs initiated by the Higher Education Act in the late 1960’s, the term “TRIO” was adopted to describe these three educational opportunity outreach programs initially. Upward Bound is currently one of eight federal TRIO programs designed by the U.S. Department of Education to serve underrepresented high school students by supporting participants as they prepare for and navigate through college.
Target Areas
The GW SMHS Upward Bound Program currently serves grades 9-12 from partnered public and public charter schools in Wards 5, 6 and 7 in the District of Columbia (See Partnership Schools).