Pre-College Programs

Educational Talent Search (ETS) is a program primarily for middle school and high school students who will be first-generation college students. The program provides services to students in several southern Georgia school districts. These are: Grady, Decatur, Thomasville City and Thomas County Schools, as well as Bishop Hall Charter School. Examples of the type of services are after-school tutorials, workshops, college tours, dual enrollment programming, assistance with financial aid and FAFSA completion, and cultural enrichment activities.

Specifically, the Educational Talent Search (ETS) program identifies and assists individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who have the potential to succeed in higher education. The goal of Talent Search is to increase the number of youth who graduate high school and enroll in and complete their postsecondary education.

GEAR UP is also funded by the U.S. Department of Education. The program is designed to increase the number of students who are prepared to enter into and succeed in postsecondary education. GEAR UP provides seven-year grants to states and partnerships to provide services at high-poverty middle and high schools. GEAR UP grantees serve entire grade levels of students beginning no later than the seventh grade and follows the cohort through high school.

The GEAR UP program serves a cohort of students who attend middle and high school in the Thomasville City Schools, Decatur, Grady and Thomas County school systems. The purpose of the program is to encourage students to study hard, stay in school, and enter into a post secondary institution and graduate. This is accomplished via in-school academic support, tutorials, field trips, workshops, motivational speakers and in-school activities such as “College Day”; Leadership Development through the Peace Jam program at Florida State University; the provision of professional development activities for GEAR UP teachers; and parental involvement. The program also partners with individuals and organizations in South Georgia to accomplish program goals.

ALL GEAR UP students are asked to click here and complete this survey. The survey helps staff determine progress toward accomplishing program goals. Please complete it ASAP!