Cultivating Wonder and Joy in Learning About Being Better Learners
REGISTRATION FOR SUMMER 2024 WILL OPEN ON JANUARY 15, 2024 at 8 A.M.
FOR INFORMATION ABOUT 2024 PROGRAM SCROLL DOWN
The program traditionally fills quickly, so register ASAP to guarantee a spot for your son. Upward Bound will start a waitlist when the registration is full.
If you have any questions, scroll down to the FAQ below.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPECIFICS OF BOTH UB7 and UB8 (including dates, fees, and FAQ SHEET) Please scroll down.
Upward Bound Academy 2024
Student/Parent Orientation: SUNDAY, June 9
UB7: 5:30- 6:30 p.m.
UB8: 7:00-8:00 P.M.
Classes begin MONDAY, June 10. Typical class days will run from
7:50 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Before and Aftercare available
NO CLASSES ON Wednesday, JUNE 19
GRADUATION: Wednesday, JULY 3
In its 55th year, the Upward Bound Academy accepts 7th & 8th grade boys who will benefit from a fun, engaging and interactive full-day, four-week summer program. Upward Bound Academy focuses on cultivating Executive Functioning, Mindset, and Metacognitive skills necessary for success in a college prep, high school curriculum.
Upward Bound 7 (UB7)
For current 6th grade boys entering 7th grade, offers a distinct Field Biology and Outdoor Awareness component.
Upward Bound 8 (UB8)
For current 7th grade boys entering 8th grade, offers a St. Louis History class and Robotics curriculum.
BOTH UB7 and UB8 academies will include math, literature, writing and problem solving, as well as several daily opportunities for outdoor fun and healthy group competition.
Tuition: $1200.00
Financial aid is available.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS THE CALENDAR FOR UPWARD BOUND?
UB is a four-week program, Monday through Friday, typically from the second week of June to the first week of July.
WHAT IS TUITION?
Tuition for the Upward Bound program is $1200.
IS FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE?
Yes. Financial Aid is available for those families who qualify. Interested Applicants for Financial Aid MUST SUBMIT all 1040 tax forms from the previous year as well as complete a brief financial aid application to be considered.
WHAT IS THE DAILY SCHEDULE?
Both programs begin to gather at 7:50am. Morning assembly begins at 8am. Monday through Thursday, the school day runs until 2:30 p.m.
Friday dismissal times will usually be at noon. A draft calendar will be given at Orientation and included in the Upward Bound newsletter which will be sent in June.
IS CHILD CARE AVAILABLE? AND IF SO, WHAT IS THE FEE?
Child care is included as part of the tuition for participating students. There is NO separate fee. It runs from 7am-8am before school and from 2:30pm-5pm after school.
WHAT IS THE DRESS CODE?
Boys will need to wear a clean t-shirt and shorts with pockets. They will need an extra t-shirt each day to change into for rec periods. T-shirts should not advertise alcohol or tobacco products and not have any graphics that would be counter to the mission of the program. They MUST wear tennis shoes with socks each day since rec and outdoor activities are a part of the program.
For urban and outdoor field explorations, there may be more specific dress suggestions (hiking pants, sunscreen, hats, etc...) but those will be communicated at orientation and/or in the weekly parent updates.
IS LUNCH A PART OF THE PROGRAM?
Lunch is available for purchase in the school cafeteria and students may bring their own lunch.
WHAT CLASSES DO THE BOYS TAKE?
Students will attend five classes each day. Both UB7 and UB8 offer courses in Literature, Writing, Learning and the Brain, and Math.
UB7 offers unique classes in art and field biology. UB8 offers unique classes in robotics and St. Louis history. In addition to traditional content, every teacher seeks to integrate executive functioning skills and topics of metacognition in his or her course.
WHAT ARE THE UB "FIELD EXPLORATIONS"?
Each week, both programs engage in some form of regional exploration--whether it be a UB7 full day field biology exploration to a state park, a half day excursion to Forest Park or a UB8 urban exploration of key sites to continue their research and learning about St. Louis History and culture. These trips are integrated into many of the everyday curricular activities and as such are every bit as important as the other school days. PLEASE DO NOT LOOK ON THESE EXPLORATIONS AS DAYS THAT ARE “OK” FOR YOUR SON TO MISS. All travel fees are included in the overall tuition.
IS THERE HOMEWORK?
For UB7 there is no homework assigned or expected.Now, we can’t STOP any boys who become so interested in something covered in class that they want to do more independent exploration and learning on their own! (Don’t laugh--it does happen!)
For UB8 there is typically no homework due to the rotating guided study sessions with a learning coach. There may be evenings when easily digested extra work will be brought home, but those times are rare. PLEASE NOTE: This has been a major curricular change these past few years from previous practice at UB8, so do not believe the war stories from veterans of UB past.
WHAT ABOUT REC TIME?
In order to improve their executive functioning skills (yep, the research is clear!) students will participate in daily rec activities with their peers. Rec activities include (but not limited to) ultimate frisbee, soccer, kickball, and SLUH’s favorite game: BASHBALL.
CAN MY SON MISS FOR DAYS FOR VACATION?
We strongly encourage students to attend Upward Bound every day because of the strong bonds and deep learning that develop day-by-day through the four-week program. Admissions preference will be reserved for those students who can attend the WHOLE program.
HOW IS UPWARD BOUND DIFFERENT THAN OTHER SUMMER PROGRAMS AT SLUH AND ELSEWHERE?
Upward Bound simultaneously seeks to develop students’ academic skills, metacognitive awareness, and love of learning. It is not summer school. It is not camp. It is a chance for your son to fall in love with learning, to develop stronger learning skills, and to be part of a community of young (and OLD) learners who seek to do the same thing.
If you have any further questions, contact Tim Curdt, Executive Director, at tcurdt@sluh.org.
