FRANKFORT, Ky. - GEAR UP Kentucky announced that 29 schools have been selected to participate in a new $26.9 million college-readiness grant award. The announcement was made earlier today at a launch rally at Holmes High School in Covington.

GEAR UP, Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, anticipates serving 10,000 Kentucky students from low-income schools over the life of the six-year federal grant. The program serves entire cohorts of students and follows them throughout high school.

Trigg County Middle School is among the 29 schools that were picked Friday.

Hundreds of students from Holmes Middle School, Newport Middle School and Bellevue High School attended the rally and pledged to graduate high school ready for college-level work.

The participating schools don’t receive funds. The Gear UP funds are used to provide a wide range of services and programs to an the cohort of 7th graders there. The grant services will follow those students through high school.

Other schools in western Kentucky that are participating include Christian County Middle School and South Marshall Middle School.

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