The Schuler Scholar Program helps bright, motivated students at North Chicago Community High School prepare for and succeed at highly selective colleges. The program started at Waukegan High School in 2001 and now includes more than 800 graduates and Schuler Scholars at partnership schools around the greater Chicago area. The first class of Schuler Scholars from NCCHS will graduate in 2016.

Who are Schuler Scholars?

They are students from backgrounds that are under-represented on college campuses: they are often the first in their families to attend college, are students of color, or come from low-income communities. Students apply to Schuler in 8th grade and the program begins that summer.

What is the program like?

All Schuler Scholars participate in four years of academic and enrichment programs, including leadership camp, one-on-one academic coaching, cultural exposures, college and financial aid counseling, and summer college programs around the country. College students and alumni take part in ongoing programs including mentoring, professional development, and networking opportunities. All Schuler programs are offered at no cost to families.

Quick Facts

• Schuler Scholars attend the nation’s most selective colleges and universities—schools like Harvard, Yale, Tufts, Williams, and Pomona.

• These colleges and universities offer significant need-based financial aid packages that make it affordable for students to attend.

• Approximately 90 percent of Schuler Scholars graduate from college within four years.

• After college, Schuler Scholars go on to careers and graduate school in fields like medicine, law, education, marketing, engineering, and technology.

 Scholar Spotlights

• Tori Bates, a graduate of Waukegan High School and Stanford University, spent two summers as an intern at Google before joining their People Development team after graduation. Read her story here.

• Kevin Vargas, a graduate of Round Lake High School and student at Yale University, will graduate with a biomedical engineering degree and experience working in a research lab. Read his story here.

For more information on the Schuler Scholar Program, please visit www.schulerprogram.org or find us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. For information on the program at NCCHS, contact School Director Stephanie Oettinger at Stephanie@schulerprogram.org.