Evanston Scholars: Opening Doors for ETHS Students — and Strengthening Our Community

If you’ve ever wondered what makes Evanston such a powerhouse of opportunity, the Evanston Scholars program is Exhibit A — a local gem quietly changing lives, one student at a time.

Evanston Township High School (ETHS) is known for producing bright, motivated kids, but for many first-generation and low-income students, the path to college is far from straightforward. That’s where Evanston Scholars steps in — and frankly, the impact is remarkable.

🎓 What Is Evanston Scholars?

Evanston Scholars is a nonprofit organization partnered with ETHS that helps first-generation, low-income, and students of color access, persist through, and graduate from college.

Their model is refreshingly practical:

• College access guidance

• Financial aid assistance

• 1:1 mentorship

• Academic preparation

• Emotional and social support throughout college

External reference:

• Evanston Scholars official site 

• Evanston Township High School (ETHS) 

This isn’t just “extra support” — it’s life-changing. Students in the program are far more likely to enroll in and complete college than similar peers without this support.

🌟 Why Evanston Scholars Matters for Our Community

Evanston isn’t just a map dot — it’s a community that invests in its young people. Programs like this bring long-term benefits that ripple through the whole city:

• Higher graduation rates → stronger local workforce

• More college students → increased earning potential

• Mentorship culture → stronger community bonds

• Breaking generational cycles → long-term upward mobility

Every scholar who crosses that college graduation stage lifts our whole city.

🏡 Is There a Real Estate Connection? Absolutely.

Strong schools and strong community programs like Evanston Scholars are a major reason luxury buyers and families choose Evanston over Chicago.

If you're a buyer evaluating neighborhoods, pages like this help:

• More about Evanston

• ETHS Facebook group

• Read the ETHS student publication-The Evanstonian

If you're a seller, this is the sort of community value that helps your property stand out compared to similar homes in Chicago.

🤝 How the Community Can Support Evanston Scholars

If you’re looking to give back in a high-impact way, this program is an easy “yes.”

Here are ways to plug in:

• Volunteer as a mentor

• Donate to help fund college access support

• Partner as a local business

• Attend their annual fundraising events

• Share their mission on social media

Evanston Scholars is one of those homegrown initiatives that makes Evanston… Evanston. It’s smart, supportive, community-driven, and deeply aligned with the values that make this city such an extraordinary place to live.

If you ever need a reminder of why people choose to put down roots here, start with programs like this.

Evanston Scholars is a registered 501(c)(3)