Together We Can Build A Better Chicago For Everyone

Ten years ago, nearly 45 percent of Chicago students went to neighborhood high schools. Today, fewer than 1 out of 4 students attend their neighborhood high school. While graduation rates are climbing, a closer look at the statistics reveals that, at one-quarter of Chicago’s 122 public high schools, more than one-third of students do not graduate in five years.

College Is More Important Than Ever

Being academically and socio-emotionally prepared to get to and through college has never been more important than it is today. A recent Georgetown University study found that 11.5 million of the 11.6 million jobs created between 2011 and 2016 were claimed by college graduates. Having a college degree has become essential to securing long-term employment.

of new jobs created went to workers with more than a high school education.

Helping Guide Students In The Right Direction

Students who apply to become Murphy Scholars know what is at stake. They see a college degree as their pathway to a life of purpose and economic security, but they live in neighborhoods where their high school has neither a college mindset nor the programming to support their dreams. Unable to afford private school tuition, which is rising at a rate that exceeds the rate of inflation, students apply to selective enrollment and charter schools, but the odds are stacked against them.

CPS selective enrollment schools can accommodate only 3,600 of the 13,400 middle school students who apply each year: 26%.  Each year, DMSF receives nearly ​800 applications from 8th grade students for approximately 150 available DMSF scholarships.​