Upward Bound

Many of New Orleans’ public school students face enormous academic and personal barriers to completing high school and transitioning to college life. Tulane University’s Upward Bound, a college-readiness and completion program at the Cowen Institute, helps local students overcome many of these challenges, stay connected through college, and find post-secondary success.

The mission of Upward Bound is to instill the skills and motivation necessary for participants to complete a robust program of secondary education and to enter and succeed in a program of postsecondary education. We currently work with over 112 9th-12th grade students from multiple different high schools across Orleans parish. Students are eligible for the program as a potential first-generation college bound student and/or low-income, as set by federal regulations.

Believing that more contact means greater impact, we offer our students weekly tutoring, individual counseling, supplemental academic support, ACT prep, social/emotional workshops, financial literacy, college enrichment tours, cultural events, and a six-week summer program. Students are supported after high school graduation through our alumni program with frequent contact, FAFSA support, scholarships, and on-site visits. Ultimately, our students and team spend 8 to 10 years with each other, working toward post-secondary success, Upward Bound has always focused on student success and outcomes and we continue to find new, and innovative ways to motivate our students each year and push expectations higher to create a thriving program with impactful outcomes for all students.

For more information, visit the Upward Bound website.