Women for Evanston Youth Expanded Dance Series
The Fortnightly: THE MIX program now includes fifth graders following the closure of Kingsley Elementary School.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Dance
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Women for Evanston Youth has expanded its long-standing Fortnightly: THE MIX dance series to include fifth graders. The decision follows the recent closure of Kingsley Elementary School to provide students with more opportunities for social interaction.
Why it matters
By incorporating fifth graders into the program, the organization aims to bridge social gaps created by school closures. The initiative ensures middle-school-aged youth maintain connections outside of the classroom through supervised social events.
The program generates net proceeds between $30,000 and $45,000 annually, which are used to fund community grants for local youth programs. Registration for the fall series is set at $165 per ticket.
The players
Women for Evanston Youth
This organization hosts community-focused events and manages grants for youth programs in the Evanston area.
Kingsley Elementary School
This local educational facility recently closed, prompting changes to community extracurricular policies.
The details
The dances are phone-free events that feature themes and music chosen for students, with safety managed by parent volunteers. Families may request scholarships for their children without qualification, ensuring accessibility for all interested participants.
Timeline
The Fortnightly: THE MIX dance program has operated for over 100 years.
The fall 2026 dance series themes are held throughout the current season.
Industry Dynamics
This expansion reflects a broader trend of community organizations adapting extracurricular offerings to fill gaps left by school district consolidations. By broadening the age range, the program maintains its relevance as a key social outlet for local youth in a changing educational landscape.
Families can now enroll fifth graders in the dance series for the standard $165 registration fee. Those requiring financial assistance can request a scholarship through the organization without needing to provide further qualification.
The takeaway
The addition of fifth graders strengthens the social continuity of local youth programs during periods of school transition. Parents are encouraged to reach out to the organization directly if they require scholarship assistance to ensure their children can attend.
Further reading
For more information on local programs, visit the Dance section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daily Northwestern.
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