Emily Ramirez

College & Career Center Liaison Dayanna Gonzalez helps senior Jocelyn Flores Roa complete her 4-Year University applications.

Over half of Morton East seniors know what their plan is after graduation.

According to Google AI Overview, as of this year, a significant percentage of high school seniors in Illinois are continuing to enroll in college. Though rates vary by demographic and year, roughly 62–63% of recent graduates are enrolling in college within a year. Community colleges have also seen enrollment growth.

According to an essential education report in Chicago, Illinois graduates who earn college degrees make more money. College and career do, in fact, shape student outcomes. Pursuing post-secondary education creates opportunities for students to be more involved in the workforce.

According to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, if students earn their college degree, they will earn more than a person who does not. College graduates earn roughly $1 million more than high school graduates over the span of their lives. A college degree also opens doors to many opportunities for students looking for the best jobs, paying the best.

According to the College in High School Alliance, today’s economy requires employees with the proper knowledge and experience to work. This includes attaining post-secondary education degrees followed by credentials. Those who have attained their diplomas gain the opportunity to secure a wealth-generating career.

In a survey of 100 Morton East seniors, 80 (or 80%) said they are going to college after graduating, while the other 20% of Morton East seniors are not.

“Compared to last year, I’ve been seeing more seniors going into 2-year or 4-year universities depending on factors like affordability and concerns in the community. As far as my group of students goes, most are, in fact, pursuing post-secondary education,” said Mrs. Katya Miranda, High School Counselor at Morton East.

With deadlines just around the corner, many Morton East seniors have been considerate and thoughtful about their plans after high school. According to Morton East counselors, there has been a notable increase in seniors choosing to pursue post-secondary education compared to last year’s graduating class.

“My caseload differs; this school year I am seeing a shift where more of my students are planning on going into trades or straight into the workforce after graduation,” said Ms. Salgado, High School Counselor at Morton East.

While most seniors intend to pursue post-secondary education, others are set on pursuing alternative paths.

“We have seen an increase in students on track to graduate. Last year, 85% of students were on track to graduate, which is much better considering the roughly 60% of students on track to graduate at the very beginning. The 25% increase since then shows major improvement among students. There has also definitely been more involvement since new club additions such as the Glam Club, Morton’s Medical Club, and our Weightlifting Club. Students are actively more involved than 72% of the time. The same applies to seniors, who have been just as involved, contrary to the popular belief that they don’t have time for clubs or that they’re too cool for them. I’m pleased to see that seniors are just as involved. It’s a good sign that everyone is involved in after-school activities,” said Assistant Principal and Student Activity Coordinator Mark Sujak.

For the most part, Morton East students (including seniors) are on track to graduate and have been demonstrating good involvement within the school community by participating in after-school activities and clubs.

“I’m currently in a nursing program at Morton College and considering majoring in nursing or getting my CDL and working for the town because I’ve previously worked at the Public Works Department. I’m also currently pursuing a nursing major and going to school for my EMT license. I might even pursue aviation and try to get my pilot’s license. I am planning to start in the fall of 2026. My parents inspired me to also consider pursuing truck driving because it’s sort of a family business. Nursing came naturally because I really like helping others, and throughout my current nursing program (CNA), I’ve really liked what I’ve been doing, and I’ve had close to perfect exam scores,” said senior Francisco Saez.

It seems this year’s seniors are actively preparing themselves for life after high school by exploring their options and joining dual enrollment programs to expand their knowledge and find their career calling.

“My plan after high school consists of pursuing post-secondary education at UIC. I want to be a physician. I’ve decided this will be my profession because I want to help people in general, and my mother’s profession is also in the medical field. I plan to start as soon as fall of 2026 following graduation,” stated senior Nick Robles.

Other seniors already know what their plan is and are sure of who they are and who they will become.

“My plan after high school is to go to Calvin University in Michigan and major in psychology. It’s been an interest of mine since freshman year. I would say the person who inspired me to go into this field of study would be my uncle, who is a therapist, because he would often tell me brief stories about patients, and I found it to be something that I wanted to do as well. I plan to start university in the spring of 2026,” said senior Bruno Cordova.

Community health and mental well-being is something that many seniors are looking to address and facilitate through their profession.

“My plan after high school is to go to college, such as Lewis, to major in physical therapy or nursing,” said senior Maribel Contreras.

On the other hand, other seniors have different plans to major in other industries, like education and teaching.

“My plan is to go to a 4-year college. I’m not sure yet, but I am planning to major in English,” stated senior Lizabeth Sanchez.

From seniors pursuing a career in teaching to others pursuing culinary arts, there are many opportunities and careers for seniors to explore and pursue.

“My plan after high school is, well, I am currently looking to go into culinary. I want to go to Triton to pursue it,” said senior Soledad Gonzales.

While some seniors want to pursue bettering their cutlet skills with chefs in kitchens, most other seniors are looking to go into the medical field.

“My plan after high school is to go to Morton College to do nursing. Maybe after 4 years I will go to UIC or Loyola,” said senior Karine Pineda.

Although there are a lot of seniors who know what their path is and where their direction leads them, there are some who are not quite sure yet but are actively exploring their options and know what opportunities they’d like to take.

“I am currently on track to graduate, and my plan after high school is to go to trade school and college. I’m sort of just going with the flow,” said senior Henry Fugate.

Most seniors are currently on track to graduate. While some are unsure of what to do after high school and want to experience different paths, others are sure of what they would like to do.

“I am on track to graduate, and as for my plans after high school, I am going to college and majoring in business,” said junior Marissa Aguilar.

Some seniors have similar interests and are going into similar economics-related majors.

“My plan after high school is to be a realtor, although I’m not quite sure yet which school I am going to go to pursue this profession,” said sophomore Melanie Oliveras.

According to data from the College & Career Center received from Ryan Smith, a counselor at Morton East, last year’s graduating class of 2025 had a higher percentage of seniors going to community college, working or volunteering, and joining the military after high school. However, recent data gathered from this year’s class of 2026 shows a significant increase in seniors going to a 4-Year University and Trade School as well as seeking an Apprenticeship. There are some seniors that are currently undecided. Data is based on the senior post-secondary planning survey taken by the class of 2026 seniors in September of 2025. There is not an “undecided” option for the senior exit survey, but there was one for the beginning of the year survey that current seniors took this school year.