Western Maryland GEAR UP

Western Maryland GEAR UP has served students in Braddock, E. Russell Hicks, and West Frederick middle schools, located in, respectively, Allegany, Washington, and Frederick counties.  The cohort is now attending Allegany, South Hagerstown, and Frederick high schools.  This GEAR UP program has established partnerships with Allegany College of Maryland, Frederick Community College, Frostburg State University, Hagerstown Community College, Hood College, and Mount St. Mary’s College, and is administered by the Regional Education Services Agency (RESA) of Appalachian Maryland.  Students have participated in science classes tailored for them at the colleges, attended cultural events at the colleges, and explored career-curriculum connections.  College students and staff provide mentoring, tutoring, planning assistance, informational workshops, course development assistance, and other services.  A summer academy was provided for the Allegany cohort this past summer.  An intensive summer academy that builds on students’ use of Blackboard.com as a means to further develop an electronic portfolio is planned for the Frederick cohort to help students prepare for transitioning to postsecondary study.   The South Hagerstown cohort will participate in focus groups hosted by Hagerstown Community College faculty that explore career options and address students’ questions about gaining admittance into college.  An Eisenhower Professional Development grant to enhance algebra instruction dovetails with GEAR UP activities and goals in Allegany, Garrett, and Washington counties.

616 Sedgwick Street

Cumberland, MD 21502

301-777-8110 

650 Carroll Parkway

Frederick, MD 21701

240-236-7038

South Hagerstown High School

1100 South Potomac Street

Hagerstown, MD 21740

301-766-8369

Mr. Frank Peto, Project Director
Regional Education Service Agency
fpeto@allconet.org
301-777-3525  Phone
301-777-5982  Fax

Barbara Bluebaugh, Assistant

resa@allconet.org

Sharon Schade, Project Coordinator (Allegany HS)

Rakuairborne@hereintown.net

301-777-8110  Phone
301-759-2534  Fax

Allison Lazorchak, Project Coordinator (Frederick HS)
allison.lazorchak@fcps.org
240-236-7038  Phone
240-236-7015  Fax

Gail Felice, Project Coordinator (South Hagerstown HS)

FelicGai@wcboe.k12.md.us

301-766-8374/8369  Phone
301-766-8474  Fax

Project Title:   Hagerstown Community College / Washington County Public Schools GEAR UP Project

Project Coordinator:     Christopher Baer

                                       Hagerstown Community College

                                       11400 Robinwood Drive

  Hagerstown, MD 21742

                                       baerc@hagerstowncc.edu

Project Abstract:

            This is the third year that Hagerstown Community College (HCC) has worked with the Washington County Public Schools GEAR UP Project to provide college preparatory and academic enrichment activities to South Hagerstown High School GEAR UP students.   For this academic year, Washington County Public Schools GEAR UP has identified the following needs for its students:

·        A need to prepare for and perform satisfactorily on the PSAT and SAT

·        A need to strengthen performance in English, math, and science courses

·        A need to be prepared for college-level expectations through

o       successful performance on college placement tests

o       analysis of college selection priorities

o       successful completion of HCC courses taken as part of the Early Support for Students to Enter College Education (ESSENSE) program (which allows local high school students to take early classes at HCC while in high school).

o       identification of appropriate financial aid packages

o       successful enrollment in and completion of Advanced Placement coursework and exams

The needs will addressed this year through an array of activities including:

·        Back-to-School Orientation                   ·   College Search Planning

·        SAT Preparation Coursework                ·   College/University Exploration

·        Academic Support                                 ·   “Applying for College” Classes

·        College Placement Assessments             ·    Parent Involvement

• Academic Remediation                            ·    ESSENSE/Advanced Placement Courses