Whitney M. Young Magnet High School Established 1975 Where Academic Excellence is the Standard
Whitney M. Young Magnet High School is a Chicago Public School offering a rigorous academic college preparatory curriculum. After special application and entrance testing, approximately 500 students enter the Magnet program each year and 125 students enter the Academic Center program. Demographically, the school is a microcosm of the entire city, as its enrollment is drawn from the city at large.
Whitney M. Young Magnet High School Established 1975 Celebrating 42 Years of Excellence as Chicago s First Magnet High School VISION The vision of Whitney M. Young Magnet High School is to create a positive, diverse, friendly, and challenging learning community where students grow toward fulfilling their potential in academic, artistic, physical, and socio-emotional dimensions. We value the uniqueness of each student and prepare our graduates both to succeed in their own lives and to make positive contributions to society. MISSION Our mission is to provide a college preparatory academic program that challenges all students to reach their maximum potential. We will provide an environment of excellence, responsibility, and diversity that fosters intellectual, social, and technological skills accomplished through professional development, structured learning experiences and parental support. Ethnic Diversity 4% Multi-racial 1% American Indian/ Pacific Islander 16% Asian 21% African American 30% Hispanic 28% White 2,163 Total Enrollment
ACADEMICS/CURRICULUM At Whitney Young, each day consists of 8 class periods of about 48 minutes each. Students have the option of taking six or seven classes each year. The WY motto Where Academic Excellence is the Standard is embraced by students, teachers and administrators who work together as a community. The curriculum emphasizes preparation in all core subject areas, offering a total of 266 courses including 30 AP classes and 87 Honors classes AP Art History AP Biology AP Calculus AB AP Calculus BC AP Chemistry AP Chinese Language & Culture AP Computer Science AP English Language & Composition AP English Literature & Composition AP Environmental Science AP French Language & Culture AP Government & Politics AP Human Geography AP Japanese Language and Culture AP Latin AP Microeconomics AP Macroeconomics AP Music Theory AP Physics 1 AP Physics 2 AP Physics C: Mechanics AP Psychology AP Spanish Language AP Spanish Literature AP Statistics AP Studio Art: 2D Design AP Studio Art: Drawing & Design AP Studio Drawing & Printing AP United States History AP World History The school encourages the development of the whole student with a vibrant array of performing and fine arts programs including: WY has an outstanding 130-member full-time Faculty team: 75% of faculty hold degrees beyond the bachelor s degree and 34 are National Board Certified. WY students work closely with their Guidance Counselors to identify, select, and apply to colleges where they will be challenged, flourish, and go on to successful careers. Virtually all WY students are accepted at four-year universities. Grading Scale Grade Point Average GPA s are weighted in the following manner: A B C D F 90-100 80-89 70-79 60-69 59 and below Regular courses are worth up to 4.0 Honors courses are worth up to 5.0 and Advanced Placement as well as College Bridge courses are worth up to 6.0 Ceramics Choir Graphic Design Guitar Dance Drama Orchestra Painting Photography Piano Sculpture Theater Video production Senior Experience Whitney Young offers a Senior Experience Program, which allows students to develop an off campus program of study in an area they aspire to pursue prior to attending college. This provides students an opportunity to gain knowledge and experience within career-based internships or subject based-thesis projects.
Please visit our website wyoung.org to download our Academic Planning Guide, a complete list of course descriptions. Graduation Requirements The minimum graduation requirements for Chicago Public Schools. English Social Science Science (Lab) Math World Language Non-credit student requirements include: Consumer education, driver s education, a demonstrated knowledge of the U.S. Constitution and Constitution of Illinois, and the Prairie State Achievement Exam which is administrated junior year. Fine Arts Physical Education Career Education/ Electives Computer Science 4 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 2 credits 2 credits 2/4 credits 3 credits 1 credit 2016/2017 Average SAT Composite Score Students Enrolled in AP Classes 996 1018 1290 National Average State of Illinois Average Whitney Young Average Top 20 Schools the Class of 2017 Matriculated to Clark Atlanta University Syracuse University Columbia University DePaul University Howard University Illinois Institute of Technology Indiana University at Bloomington Loyola University Chicago New York University Northwestern University School of the Art Institute of Chicago Stanford University The University of Iowa University of Chicago University of Illinois at Chicago University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign University of Michigan University of Southern California University of Wisconsin, Madison Washington University in St. Louis 87.7% Whitney Young Students score with 3+ on AP exam
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES A well-rounded education offers a variety of extra curricular activities to enhance a student s academic, athletic, and social growth. To that end, Whitney Young offers a multitude of athletic and organizational programs so students can strengthen their bodies, minds, and spirits. Athletics Whitney Young boasts 36 sports teams composed of 17 sports 2017 School of Champions The Dolphins were City Champions last year in: Academic Decathlon Cheerleading Girls Volleyball Boys Cross Country Chess Girls Water Polo Boys Golf Girls Basketball Math Team Boys Lacrosse Girls Softball Pom Pons Boys Tennis Girls Tennis Boys Water Polo Girls Track State Champion Teams Academic Decathlon Boys Basketball Clubs and Activities It s a Natural Thang Battle of the Books Access STEM Best Buddies Acting for Gender Equality Bridge Club Aerospace Club Business Professionals of America African American Culture Club High School Chapter American Red Cross Club Certamen Arm Wrestling Club Chinese Culture Club Art & School Beautification Chinese National Honor Society Art Inc. Coffee House Crew Asian American Club Cosmetology Club Aviation Club Critical Film Studies Autism Awareness Club Dance, Dance Revolution Badminton Club Debate Club
COLLEGE AND RECRUITMENT Representatives from more than 150 colleges and universities across the nation attend the school s annual Spring College Night. Additional visits by college representatives are made throughout the year. Whitney Young is proud to say that 98% of the class of 2016 attended a four-year college or university, while 2% attended a two-year college or another option, including a gap year. Counseling Department Each student is assigned to one of our eight guidance counselors, who they will meet with over their four years to plan and discuss all aspects of their academic planning. Counselors work with the students, families, and community to prepare students academic, social-emotional growth, and career preparation for the next phase of life. Class of 2017 Scholarships 18 National Merit Semi-Finalists 26 National Commended Students $44,437,380 in scholarships were awarded to our 2017 seniors Dive Heart JAM Club Middle School Business Project Blanket The Thirst Project Ecology Club Japanese Culture Club Professionals of America Recreational Sports Club The Young Company Fashion Club Karaoke Club Model United Nations Club Redeemed Thrive Club Film Club Korean Club NAACP Youth Committee Russian Club Video Game Club Food Pantry Club Latin Dance Club National Honor Society Science Bowl Whitney Young Key Club French Club Latinos Unidos National Junior Honor Society Sci-Fi Club Writer s Club Gallaudet Academic Bowl Leading Ladies Pastry Club Science Olympiad WXYZ Girl Up Le Prochain Niveau Personal Finance Club WY Science Bowl Team WY Ceramics Club Girls Who Code Lego Club (Finance Wizards) Ski & Snowboard Club WY Debate Club Global Citizens Logic Club Physics Olympiad Team Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica WY Progressives Habitat for Humanity Mangaka Club Poetry Slam Team Stand Up to Hunger Young Doctor s League Harmonyx Mariachi Los Delfines Polish Club Student Council I Am She Powder Puff Club Taking Action for Animals (TAA)
It is my hope that we (educators in and outside of the classroom, parents and community members) will work together as a supportive family for each of our children. It does take a village to guide a child towards the development of commendable character and academic acuity. We will endeavor to stay near the cutting edge of all new educational initiatives. We will, in essence, motivate all to diligently pursue our educational goals to the fullest extent. Dr. Joyce D. Kenner Principal Whitney M. Young Magnet High School of Chicago I am not anxious to be the loudest voice or the most popular, but I would like to think that at a crucial moment I was an effective voice of the voiceless, an effective hope of the hopeless. w h i t n e y mo o r e y o u n g, j r. WHITNEY M. YOUNG MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL 211 South Laflin Street Main Office Admissions Office Chicago, IL 60607 (773) 534-7500 (773) 534-7624 wyoung.org SEPTEMBER 2017 wmymhs wyhs whitneymyounghs