On June 1, 2010 Edendale Middle School in San Lorenzo, CA celebrated the GEAR UP Education Trust Awards at the school district board meeting where the students were honored by district officials. California GEAR UP schools will be celebrating these awards with students and families throughout May and June.

The Ed Trust award has generated much positive excitement about going to college at Edendale Middle School.  Along with other GEAR UP activities, the awards have been a key part in students understanding the importance of their academic success and how it connects to future success in college. The culture of GEAR UP inspires hope leading to motivation that shrinks barriers and open doors.

John Shimko, Edendale Middle School Principal

California GEAR UP middle schools select students to receive Education Trust Awards valued at $2,000. Students can access these funds to pay for college expenses once they enroll in a college or university.

On March 12, students from Edendale Middle School in San Lorenzo, CA visited UC Berkeley with typical California GEAR UP enthusiasm.  Here is a snippet from the email they submitted to us:

On March 12, Edendale Middle School took 58 seventh graders to tour the University of California Berkeley campus.  I spearheaded the trip as a GEAR UP team member.  I have some truly fabulous photos from a photo scavenger hunt we completed on campus (see above).

One memorable quote from a student on the trip was, “I can’t wait to go to college.”

Another great quote I overheard was,”This was the best field trip of the year.”

It rained the entire day we were at UC Berkeley, but I did not hear complaining.  Instead, the students enthusiastically rolled down “4.0 Hill” in the mud, getting soaking wet.  We met students and asked them about their majors.  We took the elevator to the top of the Campanile and enjoyed the view.  This trip was a great success and I would like to take you up on your offer to promote Edendale through the GEAR UP website.

Thanks, Teacher,  Edendale Middle School, San Lorenzo Unified

Another wonderful story of a middle schools promoting a college going culture throughout their school.

Special thanks to Ms. Kurtz!!

Edendale Middle School in San Lorenzo, CA Celebrates National GEAR UP Day by having students participate in a ‘Dreamsand Goals Wall’. Go Edendale!!