TEAM GEAR UP (TGU)

TEAM GEAR UP (TGU) helps Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) students get ready for college, careers, and life after high school through advising, career experiences, campus visits, tutoring, family workshops, and more. 

GEAR UP: Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs 

In October 2025, MPS was awarded a Team GEAR UP (TGU) grant from the Department of Education. This seven-year award totals approximately $23 million ($3.2 million per year) to support college access for our students. With a dollar-for-dollar match from MPS and grant partners, $46 million of programming and support will help more than 4,000 MPS students on the path to graduation—and beyond. 
 

Program Timeline 

The Team GEAR UP (TGU) grant is a seven-year project targeting students in grades 4–7 at select MPS schools. After the 2025–26 school year, the program follows the same group of students for six more years as they move into high school and on to college: 

• Year 1 (2025–26): Grades 4–7 
• Year 2 (2026–27): Grades 5–8 
• Year 3 (2027–28): Grades 6–9 
• Year 4 (2028–29): Grades 7–10 
• Year 5 (2029–30): Grades 8–11 
• Year 6 (2030–31): Grades 9–12 
• Year 7 (2031–32): Grades 10–12+ (college transition support) 
   

Participating MPS Schools 

What Students Get 

• Advising & Academic Planning 
  One-on-one and small-group advising helps build your Academic & Career Plan (ACP), explore careers, find youth apprenticeships/internships, and apply to college. 
• Career Academies & Dual-Enrollment Opportunities 
  Career academies offer hands-on experience in high-demand careers. Dual-enrollment courses are an opportunity to take college classes in high school and earn credit. 
• College Visits 
  Students can visit Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC), UW–Milwaukee, UW–Oshkosh, UW–Parkside, UW–Whitewater, and more. You’ll meet current professors and students, learn about majors, discover scholarships, and experience campus life. 
• Gifted & Talented Opportunities 
  Advanced ELA options through the Center for Advanced Academics and Northwestern University keep high-flyers challenged. 
• Math Pathway 
  You'll get extra support to hit key milestones—like completing Algebra I by ninth grade—so you’re ready for college-level work. 
• Mentoring 
  Caring mentors build confidence, help set goals, and teach study skills—with special supports for first-generation students. 
• Transition Support 
  Freshman Bridge, summer programs, and M³ Smart Start help you move confidently from middle school to high school to college. 
• Tutoring 
  In-person and virtual tutoring options are available during and after school. Tutors focus on the skills you need most—especially in math and reading. 

What Families Get 

• Ongoing Communication 
  Receive clear updates from your school’s TGU team about deadlines, events, tutoring, and ways to support your student at home. 
• Workshops & Events 
  Attend financial aid events, FAFSA help sessions, or college knowledge sessions to learn more and get support with sending your student to college. Additionally, Milwaukee Parent Institute programming is available for participating schools (sometimes in multiple languages). 

Partner Highlights 

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee 
  After-school support, coaching, and college access programs 
• Cambridge Educational Services 
  Test prep and academic readiness resources 
• Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) and University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee  
  Dual-enrollment courses, campus visits, teacher training, and student success coaching 
• MENTOR Greater Milwaukee 
  Mentoring for middle and high school students 
• NAF 
  Real-world career pathways with industry connections 
• National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP) 
  Youth leadership and college-readiness programming 
• Northwestern University & Center for Advanced Academics 
  Advanced ELA and talent development opportunities 
• Texas Instruments & WestEd 
  Hands-on STEM and math pathway support 
• Young Enterprising Society (YES) 
  Innovation, tech, and entrepreneurship experiences