The District will Work with College Partners to Provide Intense College Preparation and Support to 1,800 6th and 7th Graders over the Next Seven Years of their Academic Careers.

(Compton, CA) November 19, 2018. Compton Unified School District has been awarded two United States Department of Education GearUp Grants for the next seven years in collaboration with university and community college partners. Through the grant, CUSD will provide intensive academic and college preparation support to 1,800 6th and 7th grade students. The grant will fund programs that will follow the same students as they journey through middle school, high school and college. CUSD is one of only 60 organizations nationwide (only 11 in California) to be awarded the prestigious grant. The district’s efforts will receive almost $10 million over seven years.

“The GEAR Up grant will enable Compton Unified School District to not only continue its upward trajectory of improved graduation and college going rates, it will enable us to take a huge leap toward ensuring students successfully graduate college as well,” said Dr. Darin Brawley, Superintendent of CUSD.

The goal of the grants are to measurably increase students' rate of graduation, enrollment in, and completion of college. The grant will fund multiple activities and services including STEM enrichment, college readiness, professional development for teachers, counselors and staff, academic tutoring and support, economic literacy, and advanced placement/dual enrollment support. In addition to institutions of higher learning, this project will work collaboratively with a diverse group of community-based partners including the City of Compton, Verizon Foundation, SNAP and Project First.

“Today is truly a great day in Compton!” said Satra Zurita, Vice President of the CUSD Board of Trustees. ”In addition to the strong academic support students will receive, I am excited that this grant will help our students gain access to financial, academic and other supports that will in essence lock arms with them as they travel a path that leads them to directly to success!”

The two grant projects, award amounts, participating partners, and program activities are:

UCI, Compton College and the Compton Unified School District GearUp were awarded $5,440,000 for a seven-year project to increase students' academic achievement, college awareness, preparation and parents' college knowledge.

The Compton Partnership GearUp will begin its intensive work at Davis, Bunche, Enterprise, and Willowbrook Middle Schools in the Compton Unified School District. The project will start by creating a cohort of 1,000 6th and 7th grade students, and will continue to serve these same 1,000 students as they move into Compton and Centennial High Schools and on to the college of their choice.

California State University Dominguez and Compton Unified School District GearUp were awarded $4,450,000 for a seven-year project to increase students' academic achievement, college awareness, preparation and parents' college knowledge.

The California State University of Dominguez and Compton Unified School District GearUp will begin its intensive work at Dominguez High School, Whaley and Roosevelt Middle Schools in the Compton Unified School District. The project will start by creating a cohort of 800 students and will continue to serve the same 800 students as they move into Dominguez High School and on to the college of their choice.

“Here at Compton Unified School District, we are intently focused on partnerships and initiatives that are innovative and game-changers for students. We are grateful to the US Department of Education and our collaborative partners for agreeing to take this bold step forward in firmly establishing a college-going and college-enabling culture in our district,” said Micah Ali, President of CUSD’s Board of Trustees.

The Gear Up grant will begin implementation in the 2018-19 school year.

Compton Unified School District is located in in the south-central region of Los Angeles County, California. CUSD encompasses the city of Compton and portions of the cities of Carson and Los Angeles. The district currently serves nearly 26,000 students at 36 sites and has emerged from a dramatic turnaround, marked by increases in student achievement rates, a graduation rate nearing 90% (according to the California Dashboard), facilities improvements, and a focus on STEAM throughout all schools. The mission of the Compton Unified School District is to empower leaders to lead, teachers to teach and students to learn by fostering an environment that encourages leaders and teachers to be visionary, innovative and accountable for the achievement of all students. For more information, visit http://www.compton.k12.ca.us.

Melissa R. Franklin, (310) 946-7805/[email protected]