PEAK’s Goals
Beyond the Scores: Scholarships for Students with Untapped Potential
PEAK tackles generational change in Chicago by empowering students in underserved communities – students who are often overlooked by traditional scholarship programs. We recognize the potential in these students and unlock it through a unique combination of scholarships and dedicated mentors.
Why are mentors important? During adolescence, guidance and support are crucial. PEAK mentors provide a consistent and positive presence, helping students navigate challenges, build confidence, and set ambitious goals.
This holistic approach creates lasting change in scholars’ lives, propelling them toward a brighter future. PEAK is the only scholarship program in Chicago that specifically targets high-potential freshmen with average grades and test scores. We see beyond the numbers and invest in students ready to succeed.
300+
Students
$6M
Funds Raised
5400+
Hours Invested (Annually)
Gold Star Mentoring Program
100%
College Acceptance Rate
Who we serve
PEAK is the only scholarship program in Chicago that specifically targets students entering high school with average grades and test scores.
Through a rigorous interview process, PEAK endeavors to identify incoming freshmen who demonstrate the grit, ability, and desire necessary to flourish in life if only given financial, educational, and personal support through their high school years. These “unpolished diamonds” are selected to participate in PEAK’s award winning program.
How We Serve
PEAK’s unique approach:
- A four-year full-tuition high school scholarship coupled with an award-winning mentoring program
- Mentors are paired with a scholar at the start of their freshman year
- Freshman Scholars are required to participate in a week-long orientation that outlines programmatic expectations but also has the intention of building connection between and within the scholar class
- Scholar families undergo an orientation process to help them understand and support their scholar’s relationship with their mentor
- Mentor + Scholar Pairs are not just determined by demographic similarities, but are also based on deeper-level dimensions such as attitudes, values, perspectives, and beliefs. We know this creates deeper and more productive relationships.
- Mentors commit to a 1:1 relationship for all four years that in most instances continues past high school and into adulthood
Since inception, PEAK has partnered with Holy Trinity High School, a Brothers of the Holy Cross School. All of our scholars receive a rigorous values-based education in Holy Trinity’s nurturing and academically challenging environment.
PEAK’s Beliefs
We believe all students are capable of achieving at the highest levels when provided with a quality education and superior mentoring services. PEAK also believes in holding our scholars to high standards and helping them reach them!
Chris and Oscar Embracing the Power of PEAK
Oscar Nieto ‘17 embodies the power of PEAK. He entered the PEAK program as a struggling and somewhat directionless high school freshman. By embracing everything PEAK had to offer, he found success in his time at Holy Trinity High School. Maybe most transformative in Oscar’s journey was the gift of a mentor who stood by his side for all 4 years of his high school journey. Now, Oscar is a first-generation college graduate from Lewis University with a degree in criminal justice with hopes of joining the Chicago Police Department.
This fall, PEAK is thrilled to welcome a bright new cohort of ambitious freshmen! We’re excited to walk alongside them on their journeys, just like we did with Oscar (whose life was truly transformed by PEAK!).
