Contact Us
precollege@pccc.edu
CTC 2nd Floor
225 Market Street
Paterson, NJ 07505
Pre-College Programs
We offer programming for students, families, and educators to support college and career success for grades 6-12. Our mission is to increase the number of students in Passaic County that are prepared to enter and succeed at a post-secondary level (college and/ or career) by offering relevancy, rigor, relationships & raised expectations. We offer these programs:
We Provide:
6-week Summer Program
Field Trips
Parent/Family Events
College Tours
Tutoring & Academic Support
Mentoring
Scholarships & Stipends
College & Career Counseling
College Bound & GEAR UP Middle
This program is designed to provide academic enrichment and support for 6th – 12th grade students who currently attend target schools in the Paterson School District.
College Bound is the name for our High School component while GEAR UP Middle is the name for our middle school component. Both seek to provide learning opportunities that parallel a college-prep curriculum and incorporate the NJSLS (New Jersey Student Learning Standards) Curriculum Content standards (CCCS). These programs expand opportunities for hands-on activities and support students to select and pursue college majors and careers in the areas of Science, Math, or Technology.
Students must be motivated, committed to preparing for college, and have parental/guardian consent.
Who’s Eligible?
- GEAR UP Middle: Student who attend PS# 2, Alexander Hamilton Academy, or PS# 10
- College Bound: Students who attend any one of the Paterson High Schools.
GEAR UP @ JFK
Gaining Early Awareness & Readiness for Undergraduate Programs
This program is a partnership with Paterson Public Schools, specifically with John F. Kennedy High School (JFK) Class of 2024. This program provides academic, counseling, and financial literacy services to the JFK Class of 2024 through their first year of college. Students are supported through workshops, Saturday Academy, Summer Program, field trips, parent events, comprehensive mentoring and more.
PCCC GEAR UP’s vision is that all students are academically, socially, and financially prepared to enter and complete the postsecondary program or institution of their choice. GEAR UP seeks to build a strong partnership between students, their parents/guardians, and schools to ensure student success!
Who’s Eligible?
- John F. Kennedy High School (JFK) Class of 2024
Upward Bound
The Upward Bound program is designed to provide academic enrichment and support for 9th – 12th grade students who attend Passaic’s public high schools. Upward Bound services (including classes, transportation, textbooks, meals, and field trips) are provided free of charge to all eligible students. Costs are covered by a federally-funded grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Who’s Eligible?
- Passaic High School students (grades 9 -12) who demonstrate academic potential, and are in need of academic and motivational support to complete secondary school and pursue education beyond high school.
Family Connection
We offer support to pre- college students’ families with workshops, resources and events. Join our Parent University for more information. Parent University wants to give you tools and resources to foster a college and career ready student, as well as a place to network with other parents and share resources. Just like all the components of the Pre-College programs, this also is a free opportunity!
Contact Us
The Office of Pre-College Programs
CTC 2nd Floor
225 Market Street
Paterson, NJ 07505
precollege@pccc.edu
Dawn Brunson, Director
Deja Wilson, Administrator ext. 5976
College Bound/GEAR UP Middle
Marjorie Thompson- Bacchus, Administrator ext. 5294
Thomas Askew, Assistant Director
Rafael Diaz- Granados, Counselor
GEAR UP @ JFK
Marjorie Thompson- Bacchus, Administrator ext. 5294
Victoria Gray, Coordinator
Upward Bound
Shalia Ward, Administrator ext. 5910
Jacqueline Ghee, Coordinator
Tiana Smith, Interim Counselor
Zende Clark, Curriculum Specialist
Maria Sandoval, Database Administrator