Region One ESC Receives GEAR UP Grants to Support Class of 2031

Region One ESC Receives Combined $66.7 Million to Support Class of 2031 Over 7 Years

Edinburg, Texas – Region One Education Service Center is launching a new round of college readiness support to students at over 20 area school systems over the next seven years through two recently awarded GEAR UP grants. School systems and industry partners kicked off the new initiatives with a special presentation on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025 at the Region One ESC Conference Center in Edinburg.

Region One ESC received $31.8 million for the GEAR UP: Future Forward cohort and $34.9 million for the GEAR UP: Journey to College, Career and Life cohort.

The Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) is a seven-year federal initiative designed to increase early college awareness, readiness and success for students. The program follows a cohort of students starting in 7th grade through their first year of post-secondary education.

Through GEAR UP, Region One will implement its nationally recognized college and life readiness model among over 11,000 middle school students at partner school systems to promote post-secondary readiness.

Partner school systems for the Class of 2031 cohorts are:

• Brownsville ISD
• Edcouch-Elsa ISD
• Harlingen CISD
• IDEA Public Schools
• Jim Hogg County ISD
• La Joya ISD
• Laredo ISD
• Lasara ISD
• La Villa ISD
• Lyford CISD
• Monte Alto ISD
• Point Isabel ISD
• PSJA ISD
• Progreso ISD
• San Perlita ISD
• San Isidro ISD
• Santa Maria ISD
• Sharyland ISD
• Raymondville ISD
• Rio Grande City Grulla ISD
• United ISD
• Valley View ISD
• Webb CISD