The Grand Valley State University MI GEAR UP Program works with Grand Rapids Public Schools: Alger Middle School, Burton Middle School, Gerald R. Ford Middle School, Harrison Park School, Riverside Middle School, Westwood Middle School, Innovation Central High School, Ottawa Hills High School and Union High School to offer students the academic skills, information and encouragement they need to not only graduate from high school, but apply and attend an institution of higher education. Through this program’s goals, our students will not only succeed in and outside the classroom, but will gain the skills necessary to be a graduate from an institution of higher education. MI GEAR UP is funded nationally by the United States Department of Education, by the State of Michigan’s Workforce Development Agency, and the King-Chávez-Parks initiative. MI GEAR UP facilitates student tutoring and mentoring, offers workshops and college preparation and financial aid education, and assists schools and teachers to better prepare students for college studies.