The GEAR UP Program is designed to help students to remain in school, and graduate from the Wyandanch High School better prepared academically, socially, and financially to enter college. GEAR UP accomplishes its goals through services and activities offered to the students and their families by the partner agencies. Each partner agency brings unique strengths, experience, and assets to the overall GEAR U Pprogram.

GEAR UP Services include: After-school programs, trips to colleges, ongoing workshops for the "GEAR UP Scholars" and their parents, mentoring services for each student, training and professional development for the teachers, standardized test preparation, summer engagement activities for youth, career exploration & job shadowing, and much more.

GEAR UP will grow and change over time as the students in the 7th grade cohort group advance through the grade levels towards high school graduation.

After-School Program

Three afternoons a week, during the school year, GEAR UP staff offer after-school help to students in the program. Homework help, test prep, current events, and Computer Lab are among the offering available to our students.

E-Mentoring

Through the auspices of the Mentoring Partnership of Long Island, students are matched with an E-Mentor, a pen pal who write to them by email on a regular basis. Most e-mentors are students at Dowling College.

Test Preparation

During the course of the school year, GEAR UP staff will offer assistance to students preparing for various standardized tests (Regents, State Assessments, SAT, etc.) depending on their grade level.

Saturday Activities

Typically once a month, a special activity is offered on a Saturday. Students and their parents/guardians are able to benefit from these extra enrichment programs which usually last half a day, and are offered in the morning.

Summer Engagement

Students are encouraged to be engaged in positive activities during the summer that will help them remain engaged academically. GEAR UP staff compiles a list of local camps, etc. and offers a Summer Book Club.

College Visits/Career Prep

Over the course of the program, GEAR UP students will have opportunities to visit colleges and learn about various career paths, and the education required to successfully pursue specific occupations.