Upward Bound: Summer Program/Bridge Program
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The Summer Program at the University of Houston-Downtown Upward Bound is an extremely rewarding pre-college experience for high school students. It is an intensive, six-week, non-residential program, which all members of the Upward Bound community are expected to attend.

The program starts early June and finishes at the end of July. The Summer Program itself is very scheduled, and is geared to create a sense of community. During this time, Upward Bound students spend their weekdays on the University of Houston-Downtown campus. Summer Program classes are scheduled for Monday through Thursdays and local field trip activities are scheduled for each Friday. At the end of the Summer Program, 50 students are selected to attend the "End of the Year" Field Trip.

Summer Program Classes
Upward Bound offers its students classes in mathematics, performing arts, physics, chemistry, environmental science, geography, composition, literature, computer science, social issues, foreign languages and cultures, and PSAT preparation. Independent studies can also be proposed by individual students and approved and supervised by staff. The class schedule is divided into four 50-minute periods.

Students are evaluated throughout the summer program and must maintain an overall average of 75% or better in order to be able to remain in the program. Students are evaluated on performance objectives in each class. Each objective is evaluated by the entire Upward Bound staff in semester end reviews.

The Bridge Program
Recently graduated high school seniors attend take up to six-hours of college classes for credit at the University of Houston-Downtown. The courses are transferable to the student’s chosen college.

Job Training: Houston Works
Upward Bound is also a partner for the local job-training center HoustonWorks USA. Through this partnership, Upward Bound students who are approved for an assignment through HoustonWorks are compensated for the time they spend in Summer Program morning classes and spend afternoons working in selected offices on the University of Houston-Downtown campus.

Afternoon Electives
Electives in general are ways for students to study subjects that they might not be able to study in high school, but may pursue in college. Afternoon Electives also include tutorials in regular school subjects, life skills, current events and general social studies.

A Typical Summer Program Day
* 8:00-12:15 Summer Program and Bridge Program Classes
* 12:15-1:00 Lunch
* 1:00-4:00 Tutorials, Electives, or Job Training
* 4:00-6:00 Dismissal