Sept. 28, 2026
Jonathan Rich
BrevardBeagle.com
Sixth-grade students from Rosman and Brevard middle schools spent Sept. 25 at the Blue Ridge Community College campus in Brevard for a day focused on college and career readiness.
GEAR UP, which stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, prepares students for success after high school. The Appalachian GEAR UP Partnership with Transylvania County Schools is funded by a federal grant and supports all middle school students in the district.
Students rotated through 10 sessions on organization, study skills, time management, teamwork and managing stress. Teachers from Appalachian State University led sessions on time management, staying in control under pressure, and budgeting for education costs. Blue Ridge Community College students shared their college journeys and representatives from CFNC.org and Tutor.com introduced career and tutoring resources.
School counselors helped students create personal action plans and Mountain Roots outdoor education instructors led sessions on nervous system regulation and executive functioning.
“By bringing all of our sixth graders onto a college campus, GEAR UP helps them see new possibilities for their futures while building skills they can use right now,” explained Transylvania County GEAR UP coordinator Angela Cannon. “Experiences like this connect classroom learning to the world beyond school and help students recognize that college and career opportunities are within their reach.”