Albany High School Class of 2011

kicks off 2007-08 NYGEAR UP college readiness program

ALBANY, N.Y. (October 4, 2007) -- The City School District of Albany celebrated the start of the third year of its NYGEAR UP College Readiness program Oct. 4 with a dinner for freshmen and their families at Albany High School.

Launched in 2005 thanks to a $1.3 million federal grant, the six-year program provides all students in the Class of 2011 – this year’s freshmen – with the opportunity to participate in a variety of programs and activities from seventh grade through their high school graduation. The programming is aimed at preparing them for a future in which college plays a central role.

“Getting to college is a difficult road for any student          Dr. Joseph talks with Albany High School freshmen and

with all the questions to be answered and the decisions    their families at the 2007-08 NYGEAR UP kickoff dinner.

that need to be made, and the sooner students get

started on that path, the better,” said Superintendent Eva C. Joseph, Ed.D. “Those opportunities should be available to every student, and NYGEAR UP helps us provide the right tools and resources for our students and their families.”

NYGEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) features college visits and tours, career speakers, tutoring and academic mentors, as well as opportunities for parents to become familiar with the college application and financial aid process. NYGEAR UP college visits this fall will include trips to Union College, Hudson Valley Community College and Bryant & Stratton College. Visits to other local colleges will be scheduled for the spring.

Thursday’s program featured a presentation of Albany’s NYGEAR UP goals and activities for the year, as well as student presentations about past visits to college's across Upstate New York. Community partners also attended, including the New York State Higher Education Corp. (HESC), Capital Region Sponsor-A-Scholar, the University at Albany, The College of St. Rose, Siena College, the Albany City Council PTA, the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities, Liberty Partnerships Program, SEFCU and College Board.

NYGEAR UP is made possible in Albany through a federal grant of $1.3 million administered under HESC. The grant represents half of the program’s total budget, with the additional funds coming from the school district and its grant partners.

The City School District of Albany serves approximately 9,300 students in 19 elementary, middle and high schools. The district includes several magnet schools and programs, as well as other innovative academic opportunities for students in addition to neighborhood schools. The district is more than halfway through its comprehensive facilities project to newly build and/or renovate nearly all of its elementary and middle schools. The ultimate goal of the facilities project is to provide schools with the resources necessary to help students succeed in the 21st century.