Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, or GEAR UP, is an early college preparation program for students, their parents and educators.

Edinburg, Texas
Joined July 2012
Middle school students took their learning outdoors! Students from Harlingen CISD, IDEA Public Schools, La Joya ISD and Rio Grande City Grulla ISD visited Camp Rio, where they applied classroom concepts through hands-on activities and teamwork. #GEARUPWorks
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College goals are a family effort! 🎓 Our Family Kickoff helped parents explore how they can support their students on the path to college. #GEARUPWorks
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Middle school students already have high school on the horizon! 🎓 We connected with Laredo-area educators and facilitators to strengthen support for students as they prepare for high school and work toward graduation. Thank you, Laredo, for the warm welcome! #GEARUPWorks
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Fun with college in mind! 🎉 Families enjoyed activities and time together at our kickoff, all while learning how to support their child's college goals. #GEARUPWorks
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Students put their ideas on screen at our Influencer Academy! Through digital storytelling, they practiced creating content and finding their voice, communication skills they can carry into college and future careers. #GEARUPWorks
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Main character energy! ✨ A pep rally with a big message for our GEAR UP students: Dream big. Your future has a starring role for you! 🎓 #GEARUPWorks
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High school graduation starts with support in middle school! 🎓 Laredo-area educators and facilitators joined Region One GEAR UP for a workshop focused on helping students prepare for high school and stay on the path to graduation. #GEARUPWorks
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This is what building leadership looks like! 🌱 Students practiced working together and supporting one another with SEEDS Leadership. #GEARUPWorks
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Their ideas deserve an audience! 📱 Students stepped into the world of influencers at our Influencer Academy, using digital storytelling to put their creativity on screen. #GEARUPWorks
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Students and teachers got to try ClassVR and see how virtual reality can be used in the classroom. 🥽 They explored how it works and the places and science concepts it can help students discover. #GEARUPWorks
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Who knew a trip to El Sauz Ranch would come with a lesson on how everything in nature works together? 🌿🤠 The #Classof2031 learned about land stewardship and careers in agriculture, giving them more possibilities to explore as they plan for college and beyond. #GEARUPWorks
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The classroom looked a little different for our #Classof2031 at El Sauz Ranch! 🌿🤠 Last month, students explored land stewardship and saw how caring for the land connects to careers in conservation and agriculture. #GEARUPWorks
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For National GEAR UP Week, we’re reliving the moment Mission CISD’s Santa Balderas learned she had been named the National GEAR UP Family Leader of the Year. Read her story: mcisd.net/apps/news/article/… #GEARUPWorks #NationalGEARUPWeek
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🎓💚 Once GEAR UP, Always GEAR UP! 💜🎓 Our class reunion and final culminating event was an overwhelming success! 🎉 Students and families received supplies, valuable resources, guidance and opportunities to support their continued success. #GEARUPWorks
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The future is looking bright! 💡It’s National GEAR UP Week, and we’re celebrating students as they discover their potential and light the way toward college and careers. #NationalGEARUPWeek #GEARUPWorks #GUWeek
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Testing, testing… the #Classof2031 is on the air! 🎧 Students took over the studio to learn the behind the scenes of podcasting and record sessions of their own. Press play to see what happened when their ideas went live. #GEARUPWorks
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#Classof2024, we are still here to support you! Stop by Region One ESC at Edinburg (1900 W Schunior St) and access support with financial aid, take a professional headshot and meet with various colleges and community organizations.
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Big goals need a smart financial plan! 🩺 Students interested in health science and graduate studies participated alongside their families in a comprehensive workshop on financial aid and paying for higher education. #GEARUPWorks #GEARUPPathways
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Our eighth grade cohort is building the skills to lead, connect and succeed! 🌱 Through an interactive training, students explored engaging learning strategies other essential soft skills that support college readiness and future success. #GEARUPWorks
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Smarter tools, stronger instruction! 💻 Region One GEAR UP educators explored how to leverage artificial intelligence to amplify instruction and create engaging learning experiences for students. #GEARUPWorks
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