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What is Colorado GEAR UP?
We help Colorado students succeed in college.
We're a federally-funded grant program placing full-time advisors in more than two dozen schools across the state. We start with middle-school students, teaching them college basics and taking them for campus visits. By high school, our students are taking college courses and building confidence in the future.
Most of our students are the first in their families to go to college - we strive to ensure they're prepared to turn their dreams into reality.
Our results
- Colorado GEAR UP students graduate high school having earned an average of 17 college credits.
- 87 percent of Colorado GEAR UP students graduated from high school compared to a statewide graduation rate of 72 percent.
- 84 percent enrolled in college the fall after high school graduation compared to a statewide enrollment rate of 67 percent.
- 81 percent persisted through their first year of college compared to a statewide average retention rate of 70 percent.
Learn more about our results and our innovative approach to college preparation.
Latest News from GEAR UP
- May 20 - Check out presentations from advisors and our administration team at our spring retreat, May 15-16, in Colorado Springs. You can also see policy updates on our new Advisor Resources page.
- May 15 - State Board of Education members approve new graduation guidelines for high school students. EdNews Colorado story.
- May 14 - Colorado GEAR UP executive director Scott Mendelsberg blogs about what's being done to improve remedial education rates, including our "early remediation" pilot, on EdNews Colorado.
- May 9 - New Hispanic high school graduates are more likely than their white counterparts to go directly to college, according to a Pew Research Center report.
Upcoming events
May 20
May 20
May 22
May 27
DHE town halls
Department of Higher Education talks continue on proposed changes to admission and remedial policies.
Graduation ceremonies
Commencement ceremonies begin in districts such as Aurora as school year draws to a close for most students.
CESDA conference
GEAR UP financial aid director Meghan Cave speaks at this year's event to celebrate diversity. Details.
Memorial Day holiday
It's the traditional start to the summer season. Students, keep reading even if school's out!
