The Western Connecticut State University Pre-Collegiate and Access Programs include the following programs: Danbury Public Schools Collaborative, Upward Bound/ ConnCAP, Excel, EA²P(Educational Achievement and Access Program) and PASS (Promoting Academically Successful Students).

The Danbury Public Schools Collaborative/Upward Bound Program is a year-round, college preparatory program serving approximately 110 Danbury High School students from grades 9 through 12. The Excel Program is a middle-school (Broadview, Rogers Park, and Westside Academy) feeder program for the Danbury Public Schools Collaborative/Upward Bound Program, currently serving 90 students in grades 7 and 8.   The WCSU EA²P Program is a year-round academic enhancement program serving underprivileged college students. The PASS program enables underserved populations to make progress toward their academic goals.

The ConnCAP/ Upward Bound / Danbury Public Schools Collaborative programs / PASS are supported by the Minority Advancement Program administered by the Connecticut Office of Higher Education, the U.S. Department of Education, and the City of Danbury.

EA²P (Educational Achievement & Access) BRIDGE Program

The WCSU EA²P Bridge Program is designed to empower individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their academic pursuits and open doors to higher education. Available to full-time and first-time students, EA²P Bridge supports students from diverse backgrounds in their pursuit of higher education, address academic readiness, skills development, and personalized support.

Learn more about the EA²P Bridge Program
EA²P Bridge Services
Application Information

pass (Promoting academically successful students)  Program

The Western Connecticut State University PASS Program, sponsored by the Connecticut Office of Higher Education, is designed to enable minority and students in underserved populations to make progress towards their academic goals and get back into good academic standing. Using the peer support model and caseload approach, the WCSU PASS program will provide the following services to assist the academic and social development of its participants.

1. Peer mentors meet with PASS participants to work on study skills, test-taking strategies, and advocacy.
2. Peer mentors help make students feel more included by developing self-advocacy skills through modeling behavior associated with successful academic progress.
3. Participants attend weekly meetings with support professionals who will address study skills, financial aid questions, career opportunities, and other campus navigation issues.
4. Participants receive essential course materials and equipment.

To learn more about participating in the PASS Program, please contact Yara Zoccarato, (203) 837-9399, zoccaratoy@wcsu.edu.

ConnCAP / Upward Bound Programs

The Western Connecticut State University ConnCAP / Upward Bound Programs are an opportunity for high school students to develop their academic potential and achieve their goal of admission into a post-secondary educational program. The program serves Danbury High School students in families where neither parent has completed a 4-year college degree and/or low-income families whose taxable income is within state and federal eligibility guidelines.

Learn more about the Danbury Public Schools Collaborative/Upward Bound program
Danbury Public Schools Collaborative/Upward Bound Services
Eligibility Guidelines

Application Information

EXCEL / Danbury public schools collaborative Program

The Western Connecticut State University Excel / Danbury Public Schools Collaborative Program is an opportunity for middle school students, in grades 7 and 8,  to develop their academic potential and achieve their goal of admission into a post-secondary educational program upon completion of high school. The program serves Broadview,  Rogers Park and Westside Middle School students in families where neither parent has completed a 4-year college degree and/or low-income families whose taxable income is within our eligibility guidelines

Learn more about the Excel program
Excel services
Eligibility Guidelines
Application Information