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GEAR UP Overview

Overview

The Jackson Public Schools GEAR UP project is designed to significantly increase college awareness, postsecondary readiness, enrollment, and long-term success for JPS scholars, particularly those from low-income and historically underserved communities.

The project provides a sustained system of support beginning with middle school scholars and following the GEAR UP cohort through high school and into their first year of postsecondary education. JPS was awarded $10,673.586 for seven years. The grant will serve scholars at Blackburn, Brinkley, Cardozo, Kirksey, Lanier Jr., and Peeples. The cohort will be our current 7th and 8th graders who will feed into our high schools beginning next year.   

At its core, the project recognizes that preparing scholars for college and careers cannot begin during their senior year. Instead, JPS will provide early, intentional, and continuous interventions that help scholars develop the academic skills, knowledge, confidence, aspirations, and support systems necessary to pursue education beyond high school.

Key Components of the Project

Early College and Career Awareness

Scholars will receive early exposure to college, career, and postsecondary opportunities so they can begin envisioning a future beyond high school.

Academic Preparation and Enrichment

The project will strengthen scholars' academic readiness through enrichment, intervention, acceleration, and other supports designed to prepare them for rigorous coursework and postsecondary expectations.

Comprehensive Postsecondary Advising

JPS will build a coordinated college and career readiness framework, including advising and planning supports for scholars as they progress through middle and high school.

College Exposure and Experiences

Scholars will participate in meaningful experiences that make college more visible and attainable, including college visits and exposure to a variety of postsecondary pathways.

Career Exploration and Work-Based Learning

The project will connect scholars to career pathways, workforce opportunities, and real-world learning experiences that help them understand the relationship between education and future careers.

Family Engagement

Families will be intentionally engaged and equipped with information about college admissions, financial aid, career opportunities, and the steps necessary to support their children's postsecondary goals.

Strategic Community and Postsecondary Partnerships

JPS will work with organizations and institutions such as Edushift, Hinds Community College, Jackson State University, The Kirkland Group, Lobaki, and the Mississippi Department of Archives and History to expand the experiences, resources, and expertise available to GEAR UP scholars. These partnerships were incorporated into the JPS GEAR UP implementation structure through formal service agreements.

Support Through Postsecondary Transition

The project's long-term design extends beyond high school graduation, providing support as scholars transition into and navigate their first year of college. 

Partners

The grant includes the following partners to ensure success:

  • Kirkland Group strengthens the instruction students receive every day.
  • Hinds Community College helps students and families understand how to navigate college and financial aid.
  • Jackson State University allows students to experience college, meet mentors, and prepare for the transition to postsecondary education.
  • Lobaki helps students discover their interests, talents, and potential career and college pathways.
  • The Mississippi Museum of Art and MDAH expand students' cultural capital, leadership, creativity, knowledge, and worldview.

  • EduShift ensures that JPS measures the work, learns from the data, improves implementation, and remains focused on results.

  • Tougaloo College is a future partner budgeted in the grant for dual credit opportunities.

News & Features

A colorful logo featuring a graduation cap, a gear, and an open book with a dome building is centered against a plain grey background.
GEAR UP Week - September 21-25, 2026

At Jackson Public Schools, we are excited to celebrate our GEAR UP scholars and the incredible opportunities being created to support their academic success, college readiness, career exploration, and future aspirations.

A smiling woman with blonde hair and red lipstick wears an orange dress against a gray, textured background.
Jana Williams Becomes JPS Manager of College & Career Readiness (Gear Up)

In this role, Mrs. Williams will oversee the implementation of a college and career readiness framework that supports middle school cohorts through early intervention, academic enrichment, and exposure to college and career pathways, providing support through their first year of college.