GEAR UP 4 LA has supported students on their academic journey so that they are led through a path of success for the past couple of years. Sadly, this 2024 to 2025 school year will be their last year on HP’s campus.
GEAR UP 4 LA is a college preparation program for undergraduates that provides early awareness and readiness. It is a well-known program on campus for its focus and guidance on the classes of 2024 and 2025.
This program kept these two classes on track for graduation and their future, whether students plan to attend a four year university or begin working right after high school.
GEAR UP reminds students of their A-G requirements multiple times throughout the school year so they are aware of what classes they should be currently enrolled in, classes they are supposed to take the next school year, and LAUSD requirements. They also provide tutoring for any classes that students may be struggling with and are requirements for graduation.
“GEAR UP 4 LA aims to significantly increase student success in high school, persistence in college, and preparation for career and life-long learning.” states the gear up 4 la website.
GEAR UP 4 LA also offers multiple types of summer programs which include credit recovery opportunities, enrichment opportunities, and summer classes.
In addition to summer programs, GEAR UP also offers counseling. Their college counseling educates students on opportunities and helps them figure out what majors they would like to look into, what colleges fit their needs, and what they may plan to do after high school overall.
Daisy Alvizo, Guendi Ball-Whitfield, and Norma Sanchez are our current GEAR UP staff. Ms. Alvizo is the site coordinator, Ms. Ball, our academic advisor, and Ms. Sanchez, our counselor.
They have devoted their time to keeping students on track throughout their high school years and led students through the college and career process their senior year.
They have been with gear up for the past seven years, beginning at Gage Middle School and moving along to Huntington Park High School with their students.
Our GEAR UP counselors are on a contract, having to find new jobs once the class of 2025 is graduated. Ms. Sanchez plans to continue as a school counselor in the area. Ms. Alvizo would love to continue working with high school seniors.
“Ideally, I would love to continue working with high school seniors as they navigate their post-secondary plans—whether that involves college applications, financial literacy, or career readiness. However, I’m unsure if a role like this exists outside of GEAR UP” says Ms. Alvizo.
Ms. Ball is finishing up her masters degree in school counseling this upcoming October, where she would like to be a high school academic or A-G counselor in the near future.
Ms. Sanchez believes her experience with GEAR UP has been one of the most rewarding experiences she has had– seeing students reach their goals, graduate, and apply for college when they didn’t believe they had it in them to. She has seen most of them grow from middle school up to their senior year.
A challenge our GEAR UP staff had to overcome was having to meet with hundreds of students, every student having their own unique challenges and some having big dreams. It was necessary for our staff to meet each student where they were at to help their needs.
Ms. Ball believes it was challenging to help students at times when they would not take the help, it felt like she wanted it more for them. Though, she is proud of her students with their progress and how far they have come.
Advising students through the college application season kept our staff busy. They had to navigate students through this new experience. With so many students it became stressful, through Ms. Sanchez claims it was rewarding at the same time.
Written By: Features Editor, Daphne Hernandez