The public high schools in Montgomery County, Maryland consistently shine in national rankings. Students from diverse socio-economic groups graduate high school at rates that top the charts year after year. So what’s the problem in this affluent suburb of Washington, D.C.? A widening opportunity gap and not enough educated workers for a growing economy.

By 2018, two thirds of all jobs in Maryland will require a postsecondary education. But far too many high school graduates from the county’s fastest growing demographic groups—low-income families and minorities—do not enroll in college or vocational schools when compared with their more affluent peers. These kids just don’t have the support that they need to navigate the maze of admissions and financial aid. The result: a future with fewer opportunities to lift themselves and their families out of poverty.

A small Maryland-based nonprofit, CollegeTracks, is helping low-income students in Montgomery County tackle these barriers by providing much-needed college admissions and financial aid counseling. This week at an event honoring the successes of more than 500 high school and college students in the class of 2015 supported by their programs, CollegeTracks announced the expansion of its program to a third high school in the area. The move will provide hundreds more students with support.

At the event, many shared their stories, like former student Rodrigo Castro, a recent CollegeTracks alum, who now works as an analyst for T. RowePrice and inspired his younger brother to get on the college track. Also on hand to share their personal journeys of struggle to success were Aaron Gilchrist, an anchor for Washington’s NBC affiliate, and Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett, who inspired this year’s graduates to seize every opportunity before them.

Since 2003, CollegeTracks has helped more than 3,000 students enroll in college and graduate programs at a rate that far exceeds the average for low-income students nationally and for those in the Montgomery County Public School system.

CollegeTracks 2015 high school graduates were accepted at more than 200 colleges and vocational schools and offered a total of $7 million in financial aid for their first year of college.

Hear more from students sharing their success stories and learn more about the program at: www.collegetracksusa.org.