The Upward Bound Program is an academic pre-college program founded by a grant from the US Department of Education. The purpose of the Upward Bound Program is to prepare and motivate low-income and/or first-generation students to attend an institution of higher learning and to be successful at the college and university of their choice.

At the Boys and Girls Club at Sharpstown High School, hundreds of first-generation, low-income families are seeing a member of their family graduate from high school and go on to college for the very first time. By making a commitment to The Salvation Army's Upward Bound program, youth in the vicinity of the Houston Independent School District's Sharpstown High School are committing to reaching this accomplishment with the help of The Salvation Army's staff. These students are provided academic and career advising, financial aid assistance, a five-week summer program free of charge at Rice University, field trips to various other colleges, and assistance with college entrance requirements.

To participate in Upward Bound, students must: Commit to the program until they graduate from high school Want to attend a 4-year university after graduation Attend a 5-week summer program at Rice University Set high academic standards and desire to work towards those goal