Pre-College Programs

Participants and parents receive information on academic, career, and college planning, including financial aid resources and school applications. Program staff provide grade-level specific workshops, take students on-campus visits and encourage participants to remain focused on their personal academic and career goals.

TRIO Talent Search was established at The College of St. Scholastica in 1998 and serves over 560 participants annually. We work in partnership with the following target schools:

• Cloquet Middle School
• Cloquet High School
• Cromwell-Wright School
• Denfeld High School (Duluth, MN)
• Floodwood School
• Lincoln Park Middle School (Duluth, MN)

TRIO Student Advisors

Denfeld High School

Kirsten Walker
Director
218-723-5952
kwalker@css.edu

Cloquet High School, Cloquet Middle School and Cromwell-Wright School

James Hoppe
Assistant Director
218-723-6130
jhoppe@css.edu

Floodwood School and Lincoln Park Middle School

Lisa LaCore
Advisor
218-723-6331
llacore@css.edu

• Students must be in grades 6-12 and attend one of our target schools
• Two-thirds of students must be low income and first-generation (neither parent with a 4-year degree) college students
• One-third of students can be either low income, first-generation or neither
• Students must be interested in attending college and learning more about possible careers
• Final determination based on openings available

Each year the UB Program works with 79 low-income, first-generation youth who have the desire and motivation necessary to successfully complete high school and go on to pursue a four-year college degree. Current UB students come from five target high schools – Cloquet, Denfeld, North Woods, South Ridge, and Wrenshall High Schools.

Why Attend?

You’ll meet students just like you! Come and meet new friends who are interested in pursuing a college degree!

Where is UB?

UB is held at The College of St. Scholastica. Your family or other approved adults need to transport you to and from the College for the monthly Saturday Sessions and the six-week summer program.

Who Should Apply?

You should, if…

• You want to be successful in high school
• You are motivated to pursue a college degree
• You are willing to come to The College of St. Scholastica nine times during the school year and for six weeks during the summer
• You are in 9th or 10th grade
• You attend one of the UB target high schools — Cloquet, Denfeld, Northwoods, South Ridge, or Wrenshall
• Your parents did not graduate from a four-year college and/or your family meets low-income guidelines (call for details)

When to Apply?

UB recruits new students each fall. In order to be considered for the program, a completed application must be submitted by the end of November. Contact Upward Bound for more information.

How Much Does it Cost?

Nothing! It’s absolutely free!

What’s Included?

• Field trips to local and regional cultural and educational attractions
• Sports and recreation activities
• Lodging and all meals at St. Scholastica (summer only)
• A week-long cultural and educational immersion trip (summer only)

What Happens During the Academic Year?

UB/UBMS staff will visit you weekly at your school to discuss your schoolwork. If you need tutoring or other help, we will work with you or arrange for a tutor. We will help you develop an academic and career action plan. We will be your advocate to get the support you need and work with you on the college planning process. UBMS staff members are available during the school day for setting academic goals, meeting with teachers and counselors, advising, helping with college applications and financial aid, and giving personal assistance.

Monthly Saturday Sessions are an important component of the academic year. Students come to The College of St. Scholastica for one Saturday each month for a day of activities to broaden your cultural and educational horizons. Saturday Sessions are mandatory meetings that allow UB/UBMS students to focus on certain topics. Content varies from preparing students for the ACT assessment, participating in community service events, researching careers, and participating in cultural activities.

The College of St. Scholastica’s Upward Bound Math and Science (UBMS) Program has been successfully providing motivation and post-secondary preparatory support since 1995. Each year the UBMS Program works with 59 low-income, first-generation youth with the ability to achieve in math and science in Northeastern Minnesota. Current UBMS students come from regional high schools such as Barnum, Carlton, Duluth East, Hermantown, Proctor, Two Harbors and South Ridge.

Why Attend UBMS?

You’ll meet students just like you! Come and meet new friends who are interested in math and science!

Where is UBMS?

UBMS is held at The College of St. Scholastica. Your family or other approved adults need to transport you to and from the College for the monthly Saturday Sessions and the six-week summer program.

Who should apply?

You should, if…

• Field trips to local and regional cultural and educational attractions
• Sports and recreation activities
• Lodging and all meals at St. Scholastica (summer only)
• A week-long cultural and educational immersion trip (summer only)
• Interaction with professional scientists and mathematician
• A week-long immersion trip (summer only)
• Cultural field trips

When should you apply to Upward Bound Math and Science?

UBMS recruits new students each fall. In order to be considered for the program, a completed application must be submitted by the end of November. Contact Upward Bound for more information.

How Much Does it Cost?

Nothing! It’s absolutely free!

What’s Included?

• Lodging and all meals at St. Scholastica (summer only)
• Team Leaders (college students) live with you in the dorms (summer only)
• Interaction with professional scientists and mathematicians
• Field trips to local and regional science facilities
• Sports and recreation activities
• A week-long science immersion trip (summer only)
• Cultural field trips

What Happens During the Academic Year?

UB/UBMS staff will visit you weekly at your school to discuss your schoolwork. If you need tutoring or other help, we will work with you or arrange for a tutor. We will help you develop an academic and career action plan. We will be your advocate to get the support you need and work with you on the college planning process. UBMS staff members are available during the school day for setting academic goals, meeting with teachers and counselors, advising, helping with college applications and financial aid, and giving personal assistance.

Monthly Saturday Sessions are an important component of the academic year. Students come to The College of St. Scholastica for one Saturday each month for a day of activities to broaden your cultural and educational horizons. Saturday Sessions are mandatory meetings that allow UB/UBMS students to focus on certain topics. Content varies from preparing students for the ACT assessment, participating in community service events, researching careers, and participating in cultural activities.

The Summer Program is a six-week-long college preparatory program spent living on the campus of St. Scholastica; students return home on the weekends. During the final week of the program, participants embark on an educational immersion trip provided by UB or UBMS free of charge as a reward for all of their hard work during the summer.

During those five weeks, approximately 55 Upward Bound and 35 Upward Bound Math and Science students in grades 9-11 live on The College of St. Scholastica campus to participate in a college simulated experience. Students will take classes in science, math, research, English and a foreign language. All students will study science (which may include biology, physics, chemistry, engineering, geology, and computers), math, and language arts. In addition students may take field trips for education, recreation and community service opportunities. Weekly guest speakers expose students to careers in the real world, and high school credit can be earned by completing the six week summer program.

Although students may take different classes during the day, all participants live in Somers Hall and are supervised by the UB and UBMS full-time staff as well as a residential staff. All students are assigned a roommate, eat in the Greenview Dining Room and live like a college student. Students are provided a student handbook that clearly outlines the program’s rules and expectations. All rules are strictly enforced by the staff.

Students also have the opportunity to participate in nightly activities such as Humans vs. Zombies, Wacky Olympics and rock wall climbing.

Check the program’s webpage for updates on the Summer program.

Once a month, UB and UBMS students gather on a Saturday to learn, explore, and share our experiences with each other.  Attendance at monthly Saturday Sessions is expected and unexcused absences will result in a stipend deduction.