Waukegan to College

06/16/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Annual Year‑End Celebration!

A huge thank‑you to our event sponsors: BCU, WWM Fitness, Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham, and Classic Kia for making this celebration possible. We’re also grateful to Waukegan High School for hosting us in the Trapp Auditorium.

Special thanks to Senator Adriane Johnson, our school board members, volunteers, scholarship donors, partners, and all the families who shared the day with us. Your support actively supports BIG dreams!

Thank you for celebrating with us! And again, congratulations, Class of 2026!

P.S. Find yourself in the full photo album on our page!

06/16/2026

05/26/2026

This is what following your dreams looks like! 🥳🤩

More graduation photos keep rolling in, and we’re thrilled to see the joy of our graduating scholars as their hard work and determination pay off.

Let’s keep the celebration going! Don't forget to RSVP and join us at our 2026 Year-End Celebration on June 6. This is a FREE community event where families, supporters, and neighbors come together to honor the next generation of leaders. Bring a friend, spread the word, and help us cheer on our graduates.

Register online: https://tinyurl.com/WTC-2026
(Sponsorship opportunities still available!)

05/22/2026

Graduation season is here! Some graduates have already walked the stage, and we are so proud to see the smiles of students following their dreams... CONGRATS CLASS OF 2026 🎓

This year, Waukegan to College is celebrating a historic milestone:
💜18 college graduates
💛36 high school seniors heading to college

Why not join us in honoring these students again at our 2026 Year-End Celebration! This is a FREE and open event for anyone who supports education and big dreams. Please share!

Register online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/waukegan-to-college-year-end-celebration-2026-celebracion-de-fin-de-ano-tickets-1969796511391
(Sponsorship opportunities still available)

05/14/2026

We’ve officially wrapped up another amazing year of student cohorts at Waukegan to College! 🎓

Our 5th and 6th-grade students celebrated the end of the year with a pizza party alongside their families, as we reflected on all the conversations and experiences shared throughout the school year. Each student received a certificate recognizing their participation and growth.

Our favorite part of these celebrations was seeing families smile and reflect on how much their students accomplished this year. Moments like these remind us why we do what we do!

To those middle schoolers and high schoolers returning next school year, the journey continues! For the graduating seniors, good luck on your next chapter—we’re so proud of you! 🥳

04/30/2026

Yesterday, we celebrated our graduating high school seniors on Decision Day with music, food, prizes, and our "college cake". The highlight of the night was watching each student place their college flag and claim the school they’ll soon attend this Fall.

These decisions represent the years of hard work and growth students achieve in our program. This is our largest high school graduating class since 2009!

Waukegan to College starts college readiness early, so, many of our students have been with us since middle school! We’re proud to walk alongside them on their journey to and through higher education. Congrats class of 2026!

Know a student who could benefit? Invite them to apply TODAY: https://www.waukegantocollege.org/for-students

04/27/2026

From one-on-one tutoring to reading support and beyond, Waukegan to College exists to walk alongside Waukegan students every step of the way. We want to support YOUR future.

Through our program, students and families experience:
Academic support ✅
College visits ✅
College applications & financial aid assistance ✅
Career exploration ✅
And more!

There’s still time to give your student the support they deserve. Apply before the April 30 deadline: https://www.waukegantocollege.org/for-students

04/24/2026

“I feel like I wouldn’t be where I am right now without my mentor, Victoria Velazquez.” –Jamil C., Senior, WHS

Yesterday, we celebrated the people who show up for our students at our annual Volunteer Appreciation Ceremony. This includes volunteers who tutor, mentor, and coach our scholars. No matter how you contribute, you’re helping support the next generation of leaders.

Looking for ways to give back? Become a volunteer for Waukegan to College here: https://www.waukegantocollege.org/volunteer-opportunities

04/21/2026

This could be YOUR student. As a Waukegan to College Scholar, you have access to one-on-one support, learning studying techniques, building confidence, and dreaming bigger every single month. At Waukegan to College, even 5th graders start gaining the tools they need for a strong future. If you or someone you know could benefit from our FREE advising, tutoring, and enrichment services, encourage them to apply! It is never too early to start.

Your student deserves every opportunity. And we are here to help them get there. Apply online: https://www.waukegantocollege.org/for-students

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Esto podría ser SU estudiante. Como estudiante de Waukegan to College, su hijo recibe apoyo individual, aprende técnicas de estudio, gana confianza y empieza a soñar en grande cada mes. En Waukegan to College, incluso los estudiantes desde 5º grado comienzan a desarrollar las herramientas que necesitan para un futuro fuerte. Si usted o alguien que conoce puede beneficiarse de nuestros servicios GRATIS de asesoría, tutoría y programas educativos, invítelos a aplicar. Nunca es demasiado temprano para empezar.

Su hijo merece todas las oportunidades. Y estamos aquí para ayudarlo a llegar lejos. Aplique en línea: https://www.waukegantocollege.org/for-students

04/17/2026

Our high school students spent an afternoon at Brushwood Center for a guided "Forest Bathing" experience. We believe in supporting the whole student, and that means creating moments that build confidence, develop emotional wellbeing, and inspire our students to dream big. One student shared, “Just looking at the water made me feel at peace with my mind.”

Want your student to be part of opportunities like this? Apply online by April 30 and join us to discover and develop your college dreams!

Families with students in grades 5th through 11th are welcome to apply 🎓