Academic Year:

• Saturday Sessions –  students participate in science workshops to enhance and enrich their high school experience.
• Weekly tutoring sessions are provided by Certified Teachers at the high schools
• Students are visited by Upward Bound staff at their respective high schools weekly.
• SAT/ACT prep courses for students throughout the year.
• Annual field trip to visit college campuses and enriching attractions.
• Workshops on financial aid, college admissions procedures and other relevant topics provided to both parents and students. The Academic year workshops are taught by Ramapo College faculty and other professionals from the community.

Summer:

• Participants spend six weeks during the summer living on the Ramapo College campus and taking specially designed courses in science, math, language arts, computer skills, foreign language, and problem solving skills.
• The summer courses are taught by certified high school teachers, and the curriculum is designed jointly by high school teachers and the Ramapo College math and science faculty.
• Afternoon and evenings are filled with study hall, cultural, and recreational activities.

Expectations:

Participants are expected to stay in the program from the time he or she is admitted until graduation from high school. This includes attending each summer session and all monthly Saturday sessions after acceptance.

Selection and Eligibility

The Ramapo College Upward Bound Math Science Program is funded to accept approximately 20 new students each year.  Participants are selected based upon their school record, teacher recommendations, interviews, and eligibility according to federal guidelines.

Eligibility Guidelines

This program is designed to serve students who have the ability to go to college and are willing to put in the work required to get there and succeed. It will benefit the student who may have trouble getting into college because of limited financial or educational resources that puts him or her at a disadvantage when competing with more affluent peers attending well financed suburban or private schools.

In order to be a part of the Ramapo College Upward Bound program, a student must:

1. Have U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or be applying for permanent residency.
2. Must not have a parent with a Bachelor’s Degree and/or
3. Have family income of no more than 150% of the federally determined poverty level.
4. Attend one of the following Paterson, New Jersey high schools: (please contact the corresponding Guidance Office)

• • John F. Kennedy H.S. (Mr. Funiciello)
  • Eastside H.S. (Ms. Patby)
  • STEAM Academy (Mrs. Wright, Mrs. Canales)
  • Paterson Charter School of Science and Technology (Ms. Stephenson)

Costs and Funding

It costs NOTHING! All necessary supplies, books, room and board, and transportation will be provided for by Ramapo College. The Ramapo College Upward Bound Math Science program is federally funded by the U.S. Department of Education at a total annual amount of $302,964 for 61 students served per funding year.

Contacts

Dr. Sandra Suarez, Director
Office: G-131a, Phone: (201) 684- 7774, E-mail: ssuarez@ramapo.edu

Brigid Nonas, Assistant Director
Office: G427, Phone: (201) 684 – 7841, Email: bnonas@ramapo.edu

Carrie Doscher, Office Assistant
Office: G-428, Phone: (201) 684- 7851. Email: cdoscher@ramapo.edu