About Get Ready

Get Ready is a vibrant mission-driven program employing a highly experienced, diverse team who are passionate about creating equitable opportunities for all students to achieve their postsecondary goals.

Our Mission

Get Ready's mission is to establish and implement programming that is designed to improve the postsecondary outcomes for students from low-income backgrounds, Indigenous Communities, and Communities of Color. The program partners with K12 schools, high education, and community-based organizations to collectively advance access to essential information and resources that help students and families make an informed decision about life after high school. Get Ready further commits to the students' progress by devoting resources to support their first year of college success.

Our History

Get Ready's programming and resources have reached hundreds of middle and high school students throughout Minnesota. The program is funded through the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), Office of Postsecondary Education GEAR UP grant, and the M.N. Office of Higher Education (OHE). Situated in the Office of Higher Education since the late 1990’s, the program has maintained a lasting relationship with the DOE and GEAR UP to strengthen students' academic readiness, access to postsecondary enrichment, and financial services.

"St. Paul Public Schools CDF Freedom Schools considers MN OHE a vital collaborative partner in every way for our students, families, staff and School District. The Get Ready team is so wonderful to work with and the materials that we receive are culturally responsive with research best practices that ensure the positive personal, academic, and social outcomes of our at-risk student population." - Dr. Darcel Hill, Executive Director, Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools & Freedom Schools Express Leadership Development.

Get Ready's theory of action and model aligns with the principles for students' postsecondary success established by the National Postsecondary Institute. Moreover, our framework and programmatic strategies are anchored to direct service and capacity-building, essential to reinforcing a college-going culture.      

Key Elements