Finley School District has applied for and received a new GEAR UP grant through Washington State University beginning in the 2011-12 year.  The new, seven-year grant will alter the GEAR UP program currently in place at River View High School, and the program coordinator and Finley staff are in the process of developing what the program will look like at both the high school and middle school in the upcoming years.

GEAR UP is a federally funded grant that takes place in numerous schools across the region.  Generally, every student within a GEAR UP school is served by the program, which prepares and encourages students to enter and succeed in college.  Features of the program include early interventions, beginning in middle school; tutoring during and after school; college campus visits; SAT/ACT preparation; and scholarship and financial literacy assistance.

Each GEAR UP program is customized to the grade levels and specific schools being served, with program offerings suited to best meet the needs of that community’s students.  In Finley, the program brought in new technology to the schools, including two mobile labs with 30 computers on each cart that teachers may check out for use in their classrooms.  The Finley GEAR UP program also introduced the AVID program to its schools as well.  Unique to the newly awarded grant is a 100% STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) focus.

GEAR UP consists of “partnerships” that follow students throughout their entire secondary education, so that the push for a “college-going culture” is consistent throughout the students’ schooling.  Each partnership of the program serves different grade levels:  the One Vision Partnership I serves students in 11^th and 12^th grade; One Vision Partnership II serves students in grades 9 and 10; and One Vision Partnership III will begin serving students in 6^th and 7^th grade immediately.  Partnership I, serving current RVHS 11^th and 12^th graders, is in its last year, meaning next year’s 12^th grade students will not be served by the GEAR UP program.  However, the program will follow students entering 6^th grade in 2012 at Finley Middle School all the way through the completion of their senior year.

Not only is the One Vision Partnership I coming to an end this year, but new Program Coordinator, Mrs. Amandalyn Rubio, has stepped into the position formerly held by Mr. Kristian Boyce for the past six years.  Amandalyn previously served as the GEAR UP Lead Tutor, but now oversees the entire program at Finley.  She is working with both middle and high school staff to determine what the program will look like at both schools this next year.

GEAR UP offers great post-secondary preparation for students in Finley, with an emphasis on a “five year plan” and life after high school.  The tutors working in the program have all had college exposure, either as current college students or college graduates.  Even a few RVHS alumni serve as tutors in Finley, providing quality role models for Finley students.

Those wishing to learn more about the GEAR UP program in Finley are encouraged to contact Site Manager Amandalyn Rubio directly at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or by calling the RVHS office and asking for extension 3140.  More information on the GEAR UP WSU program is also available at www.earlyoutreach.wsu.edu.