Help Us Keep the Avance Family Together

Help Me Save Academia Avance — The School That Became My Family

My name is Cris, and I just graduated from Academia Avance — a place that has been more than a school to me. It’s been my second home. A family. A source of hope.

At Avance, every student who walks through the door becomes part of something bigger. We build friendships that will be remembered for the rest of our lives. Our teachers? They’re more than teachers. They become our mentors, our brothers and sisters, the people who lift us up when life gets hard. This school gives you energy when you're tired, comfort when you're struggling, and love when you feel alone.

So you might ask — if Avance is so strong, why does it need saving?

Over time, the school funding has not been enough and our Highland park community has continuously shifted and a lot of our families have been displaced. This shift has caused a lot of students to exit from our school which has impacted the funding we receive.

Along with this, the Trump administration removed funding for Mental Health programs. This reduction cost us 500K and placed us in danger of closing.

We're asking for your help to raise $500,000 — not for something fancy — but just to keep our school alive. Just to start our next school year. Just to give the next group of students the same support, love, and opportunity we were given.

This is my dream as a graduating senior:

To give back to the school that gave me everything.

To help Avance rise again from what was stolen.

To protect this family for the future students who will walk these same halls.

If you believe in students. If you believe in community. If you believe that young people deserve a place where they can thrive — please help us.

Donate. Share. Spread the word. Let’s bring back the heart of Academia Avance.

With love and hope,

Cris R

Proud Avance Graduate, Class of 2025