For the nineteenth year in a row, every single Minds Matter Chicago senior was accepted into a four-year college or university. It’s a streak we’re proud of every year, and it belongs to the mentors, tutors, volunteers, donors, and partners who helped to make it a reality. This class earned its acceptances during a year that asked a lot of them. National conversations about belonging and opportunity felt personal for many of our students, and because of our supporters, they never had to face it alone.

Thanks to that community, the Class of 2026’s 22 seniors earned 139 college acceptances between them (an average of six each) and $1,500,000 in scholarships and other aid. Eighty-two percent are headed to a U.S. News & World Report Top 250 school, and 82% will be the first in their family to attend college.

“Behind every acceptance letter is a student who chose courage over doubt,” said Jason Carter, MMC’s Executive Director. “Behind every milestone is a mentor, volunteer, donor, or partner who showed up and believed in them.”

That showing up is the heart of the program. Every MMC student is matched with two mentors for all three years of high school, a 2:1 ratio that builds real, lasting relationships, not one-off advice. This year, nearly 100 volunteers gave upwards of 3,000 hours, spending their Saturdays on test prep, college essays, and everything in between. Their commitment is what turns a student’s potential into results.

Our supporters also made this our biggest year yet on the student cohort front. The Class of 2028 is the largest cohort in MMC history. And the numbers back up what our mentors see every Saturday: students across all three classes posted real SAT gains this year, with our sophomores alone improving nearly 60 points in their first year in the program. Those gains were built session by session by the volunteers in the room.

As we head into our 20th year, we’re grateful for everyone who has helped make these achievements a reality, and we’re looking ahead with them: a new cohort of students starting this fall, 50 new volunteers to welcome, and a bigger commitment to walking with our students through college, not just into it. We invite the community to join us.

Minds Matter connects driven and determined students from low-income families with the people, preparation, and possibilities to succeed in college, create their future, and change the world. Minds Matter Chicago is one of 14 chapters nationwide. Learn more at mindsmatterchicago.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What is Minds Matter Chicago? 

Answer: Minds Matter Chicago is a nonprofit that connects driven high school students from low-income backgrounds with mentors, free SAT preparation, and fully funded summer programs, so they can get into college and build their future. The organization was founded in 2006 and is one of 14 Minds Matter chapters across the country.

Question: What percentage of Minds Matter Chicago students get into college? 

Answer: One hundred percent. For nineteen years in a row, every Minds Matter Chicago senior has been accepted into a four-year college or university. Seniors from the Class of 2026 earned 139 acceptances between them and $1,500,000 in scholarships.

Question: How does Minds Matter Chicago’s mentorship program work? 

Answer: Every student is paired with two volunteer mentors who stick with them for all three years of high school, meeting on Saturdays for academic support, test prep, and college planning. This year, more than 100 mentors and tutors volunteered upwards of 3,500 hours across the program.

Question: Who can become a Minds Matter Chicago mentor or tutor? 

Answer: No prior teaching experience is required. Minds Matter Chicago looks for volunteers who are committed, dependable, and willing to build a real relationship with a student over three years. Mentors commit to Saturday programming from September through May and are matched with a student for the length of their high school career; tutors provide subject-specific academic support. Minds Matter Chicago is recruiting 50 new volunteer mentors and tutors for the 2026-2027 program year.

Question: How can I become a mentor or donate to Minds Matter Chicago? 

Answer: Mentors and tutors can apply at mindsmatterchicago.org/volunteers. Donations can be made at mindsmatterchicago.org/support. Minds Matter Chicago is recruiting 50 new volunteers for the 2026-2027 program year, its 20th anniversary.

Contact: Jason Carter, info@mindsmatterchicago.org