The Central Washington University (CWU)  MOSAIC2 GEAR UP Project serves 2040 students in Brewster, Highland, Lake Chelan, Manson, Omak, Oroville, Quincy and Tonasket school districts and Orchard and Pioneer Middle schools in the Wenatchee school district, beginning in 6th or 7th grade. This two-grade cohort model comprises a student body smaller than many urban high schools but it represents a vast, rural and isolated area in North Central Washington. The program provides services in each middle and high school building for seven years to build a sustainable culture of college-awareness and preparation by the project's end.  GEAR UP is a discretionary federal grant program designed to increase the number of low-income students prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. Through GEAR UP partnerships, local schools, community-based organizations, businesses, and institutions of higher education work together to strengthen academic programs and student services in the schools so that students are prepared academically and financially to enter and succeed in college. GEAR UP is a key part of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act.

Using a collaborative K-16 partnership approach, GEAR UP programs seek to:

• Serve whole grade-level cohorts in order to raise expectations of all students.
   
• Provide comprehensive academic and student services to students beginning in 6th or 7th grade and continuing through the freshmen year of their post secondary  option.
   
• Focus on key transition points and facilitate student transitions between grade and school levels.
   
• Inform students and parents about college options and financial aid earlier in the education process.
  • Promote vigorous academic coursework based on college entrance requirements.
     
  • Build the foundation for enduring institutional change that will result in ongoing support for all students to enter college.