GEAR UP is a partnership between University of Massachusetts Boston, the Gavin Middle School, the Jeremiah E. Burke, Dorchester High Schools and the High Schools at South Boston, Thompson's Island Outward Bound program, the New England Home for Little Wanderers, and the Topf Center for Dance Education. Our goal is to significantly improve the performance of all students and to significantly increase the number of students who successfully pursue post-secondary education.

GEAR UP stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs. It is a federally funded educational program.