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Editorial: Opening more doors for students
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More from OpinionThere are no guarantees in life, no magic wand that will bring fame and fortune. But, thanks to Upward Bound, thousands of students have, at least, been given the opportunity.
The Upward Bound Program, which prepares low-income high school students for the rigors of college and beyond, began in 1965 as part of President Lyndon Johnson's war on poverty. Free to qualified students, the program — now at more than 700 colleges and universities nationwide — is funded by the U.S. Department of Education.
Locally, Upward Bound has been part of campus life at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks for 27 years. The program accepts students from six targeted high schools: Camarillo, Channel Islands, Oxnard, Hueneme, Pacifica and Rio Mesa.
This unique college preparatory program puts students in a university setting. It helps 60 students during the academic year and 55 during the summer program, which began last week.
During the five-week CLU summer program, students actually live on campus. They receive college-level instruction in math and science, all the while getting an up-close look at what college life is all about.
The longevity of the Upward Bound Program speaks directly to its success and effectiveness in helping students achieve their full potential.
Here are CLU's impressive numbers: For the past 10 years, 100 percent of the students in the program have graduated from high school; for the past six years, 100 percent of the graduates went on to college; and some 75 percent graduated within six years.
With a college education, many more doors are open to a successful future.
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