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NJ State GEAR UP Project

GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is an early intervention program funded by the U.S. Department of Education and administered by the NJ Commission of Higher Education.

We are recruiting and serving 7th and 8th grade students from Martin Luther King, Holland, Hedgepeth/Williams Middle Schools and Joyce Kilmer and Luis Munoz- Rivera Elementary Schools.

GEAR-UP students attend classes in science, math, communications, computers, and self-development. Content area in each of the disciplines is designed to augment and reinforce Trenton Board of Education's middle school curricula. Experimental learning and interactive teaching are the predominate components of these programs. Methodologies implemented include lectures, labs, internet research, internet help, cooperative learning groups, and interdisciplinary study. SMILE is another program for 7th & 8th grade students.

Classrooms consist of approximately 17 students per class during both the academic year and the summer session. During the academic year, instruction is held on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the James Kerney Campus, Mercer County Community College, N. Broad and Academy Streets.

NJ State GEAR UP Project Features

  • Six-week summer program
  • After school tutoring during the school year
  • Academic Instruction on Saturday
  • 21st Century Scolars Certificate
  • College visits and tours
  • Mentoring
  • Academic and personal counseling
  • GEPA, HSPA, PSAT, and SAT prep classes
  • Cultural and educational field trips
  • Financial aid and information workshops
  • College application assistance

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Tutoring

Tutoring is offered Tuesday - Thursday 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m at MCCC-JKC.

Tutoring is also offered Monday - Thursday 3-5 pm at:

Trenton High School West
1001 West State Street

Hedgepeth/Williams Middle School,
301 Gladstone Avenue and

Trenton Central High School

400 Chambers Street



Summer session hours are Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. at JKC.

Wayne Murray
Phone: 609-586-4800 ext. 6656
Fax: 609-989-8453
e-mail: smile@mccc.edu