Upward Bound

Upward Bound is sponsored by Norco College. This program is 100% federally funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

Norco College currently has four Upward Bound Programs. The programs predominately serve first-generation, income-eligible students. Upward Bound at Centennial serves 76 students annually.

Norco College Upward Bound provides students with academic guidance, personal development and fundamental support to participants in their preparation for college entrance. The program provides opportunities for participants to succeed in their precollege performance and ultimately in their higher education pursuits.

The goal of Upward Bound is to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education. Upward Bound helps students prepare for college, regardless of which college or university they plan to attend.

Once a student is admitted to the program, they remain in the program until they graduate from high school.

Upward Bound aims to help students in their academic journey towards higher education, and to get them there we offer services like:

• Academic Advising
• Tutoring (Tuesdays and Thursday after school until 5PM)
• Saturday Academies (9-11th grade only)
• Summer Program
• College Visits/ Field Trips
• Senior Seminars (12th only)
• Leadership Opportunities
• Junior Seminars (11th only)
• Educational Workshops
• Junior Summer Internships

Every summer, Upward Bound students have the opportunity to participate in our 6-week Summer Program at the Norco College campus. This gives our students, who are not preoccupied in other outstanding commitments, to keep themselves sharp over the summer.

Our students are REQUIRED to attend at least one Summer Program during their time in UB.

The program provides students with educational instruction in subjects like Physics, Foreign Language, Financial Literacy, English, and more. Some student also use this time to take on a Dual Enrollment college course with Norco College.

What type of field trips do we go on?

Educational trips to see college/ university campuses, leadership conferences, and much more!

• Junior NorCal Trip (multi-day)
• Senior Summer Bridge
• College Trips (single-day)

We are currently recruiting current Centennial High School 9th graders, with a few spots available for 10th graders.

Upward Bound is for you if:

• You want to acquire & improve your chances of succeeding in high school and in college.
• You want to go to college after high school graduation.
• You want to be prepared for the rigor of college.
• You want to build communication, time management, and interpersonal skills.
• You enjoy field trips and hands-on activities during the year and summer.
• You want to meet new friends, have new adventures, and develop as a scholar.

Participants are expected to:

• Maintain at least a 2.5 GPA or higher
• Attend Saturday Academy and Tutoring (if required), ready to learn and work
• Fully participate in program activities throughout the year and adhere to the schedules
• Enroll in a college or university immediately after high school graduation