Colorado GEAR UP makes a difference

Our students persist in college at higher rates than state averages.

From graduating high school to enrolling in college to staying in college, our students outperform state averages. And they far exceed the college enrollment and retention rates of their peers with similar demographics.

Demographic data

Income - 100 percent of Colorado GEAR UP students qualified for federal lunch assistance in high school and 62 percent were deemed full Pell Grant eligible in college. Statewide, 40 percent of students qualified for lunch aid and 25 percent were full Pell Grant eligible.
Ethnicity - 72 percent of Colorado GEAR UP students are Hispanic compared to 32 percent statewide. Colorado's K-12 enrollment is 56 percent white.
Academic performance - More than 75 percent of Colorado GEAR UP students had earned a partially proficient or unsatisfactory score in at least one subject on state tests while in high school.

Indicators of success

These charts show Colorado GEAR UP students and their rates for high school graduation, college enrollment, college persistance after one year and staying on track to graduate. Data refers to Colorado GEAR UP students graduating after the 2010-11 school year. Click here for comparisons to statewide averages.

On-Time Graduation Rate: 87% (283/324) Of those students entering 9th grade and remaining active in GEAR UP. Chart	College Enrollment Rate: 84% (238/283) Of those students graduating, the number enrolling in college in the fall. Chart
First-Year Persistence: 81% (192/238) Those enrolling in college and persisting through the end of their first year. Chart	On-Track to Graduate: 69% (133/192) Students completing 24 or more credits at the end of their first year. Chart

Concurrent Enrollment - 86% of college courses are completed with a C or better. The average GEAR UP student graduates high school having completed five college classes.
CLEP - 88% of students earned some level of credits, with more than 50 percent of test takers earning up to 12 college credits.
Early Remediation - In the pilot, more than 80% of students passed the courses. In 2013-14, more than 1,300 students are enrolled in Pre-Algebra, Beginning Algebra or Intermediate Algebra and the majority are on track to complete the course by the end of the school year.