Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, more commonly known as GEAR UP, is a federally-funded program that help students (and their families) figure out what they want to do with their lives and how they will get there. Our goal is to enhance and expand the college-bound culture in Granite School District. We want students to know that education after high school is achievable, accessible, and affordable.
What Do We Do?
Granite School District has partnered with Utah State University’s Science, Technology, Arithmetic, Reading Students (USU STARS!) to be able to implement the GEAR UP program in qualifying schools. For 2025-2026, GEAR UP (Cohort 6) is serving 8th grade students in the following junior high schools:
- Brockbank STEM
- Eisenhower Jr.
- Granite Park Jr.
- Kearns Jr.
- Kennedy Jr.
- Matheson Jr.
- Valley Jr.
- West Lake STEM
The program is cohort-based which means that we work with the entire grade band of the graduating class of 2031 at our participating schools, starting in 7th grade through high school.
How Do We Help?
USU STARS! GEAR UP in Granite School District helps schools help their students. Tutoring, mentoring, after-school and summer programs help students improve school success. Career exploration, field trips, and college visits open up new possibilities. Academic planning events and financial workshops involve families. We also provide teachers with instructional support and training.
Resources
GEAR UP for College (USU STARS!)