The Community We Serve
— a vibrant, diverse, and resilient community on the shores of Lake Michigan.
Waukegan is home to over 13,500 public school students spread across 22 elementary, middle, and high schools. Like many underfunded districts across the country, District 60 operates with just 75% of the resources deemed adequate to meet its students’ needs. Yet within these schools, you’ll find remarkable determination, creativity, and potential.
73% of Waukegan’s students come from low-income families, meaning they qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, live in substitute care, or their families receive public aid. More than half — 52% — are English learners, often the children of immigrant families, navigating two worlds at once and learning to express themselves in a new language.
And still — they show up. They strive. They succeed. Nowhere is that clearer than in the lives of students who participate in music
Though only 6.5% of Waukegan students are currently enrolled in music, the difference it makes is profound.
These aren’t just numbers. They represent children gaining confidence, pride, and a sense of purpose. Music connects them — to their culture, their peers, their community, and their future.
At Bravo Waukegan, we believe every child deserves access to this opportunity — not just the few.
That’s why we work hand-in-hand with teachers, parents, and the school district to expand music education in Waukegan schools. We’re committed to levelling the playing field and unlocking the potential of every student, one note at a time.
