PRE-COLLEGE PROGRAMS

We offer 3 pre-college programs to support college and career success for grades 6-12.

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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

collegebound@pccc.edu

Marjorie Thompson- Bacchus, Administrator ext. 5294

Thomas Askew, Assistant Director

Rafael Diaz- Granados, Counselor

GEAR UP @ JFK

gearup@pccc.edu

Marjorie Thompson- Bacchus, Administrator ext. 5294

Victoria Gray, Coordinator

Upward Bound

upwardbound@pccc.edu

Shalia Ward, Administrator ext. 5910

Jacqueline Ghee, Coordinator

Tiana Smith, Interim Counselor

Zende Clark, Curriculum Specialist

Maria Sandoval, Database Administrator