Cal Poly awarded grant to prepare high school students for college

Cal Poly Pomona announced this week it has received a $1.25 million federal grant that will be used to provide a college preparation program focusing on math and science for students of two Pomona high schools.

The five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education will make it possible for the university to expand its Upward Bound program to include Garey High School and Village Academy students, according to a university statement.

Through Upward Bound the university offers high school students college preparation. The students, who often are the first in their families to attend college, receive homework assistance, individualized education plans and access to weekend workshops on topics such as SAT preparation and lifeskills development.

During the summer students spend five weeks living on the Cal Poly campus where they get a taste of college life and attend classes in areas such as chemistry, biology, environmental science and engineering offered by college professors, high school teachers and college graduate students, the statement said.

A component for parent is also part of the program and includes information on financial aid and workshops designed to help provide support for their children's educational pursuits.

This will be the university's fourth Upward Bound program. Cal Poly offers similar programs for schools such as Montclair High, Pomona High and Ontario High.