Young Magnet High School

Whitney Young is the perfect high school for me. As an athlete with high expectations of academic rigor, Whitney meets my standards in multiple categories. I get to work alongside some of the smartest high school students in the nation, as well as be a member of a city championship winning track and field team. The diversity at Whitney Young exposed me to a whole other part of the city I grew up in. I couldn't be happier with my high school experience.

building needs a major facelift.it's out of date for a high school of it's caliber.the student crowd is 50% low to 50% middle/upper income.the behavior is so so.don't let this being a magnet school fool you!whitney young is no walk in the park if you're a sub.the administration babies these kids letting them have their own way because they are smart and advanced.

We are very happy that our daughter will be attending Whitney Young next year. We have only heard great things about the school, teachers and kids!
—Submitted by a parent

I attended Whitney Young, graduating in 1992. Sounds like WY has stayed one of the best in the city. I appreciate WY more now, as an alum, than I ever did as a student. It gave me exposure to diversity, to global issues, and to many different viewpoints. I had very liberal teachers, very traditional teachers, and many who were in-between. All of them cared, even if they didn't always show it (like the gym teachers.) On the down side, WY is a big school and unless you seek out opportunities, they don't always find you. My teachers didn't encourage me to make friends or grow socially through clubs or sports. Travel time and having to depend on the CTA Ashland bus was very difficult for me. I had to use my own resources to fight off some bullies freshman year, and to find a group of friends I felt comfortable with. If I was to give suggestions for WY to improve, I would ask the teachers and hall staff to get to know their students better and help them find extracurricular opportunities that would fit them well. I also wish I had been exposed to more college options.

I started going to WY this year as a 7th grader. It was a big adjustment of me to go from a school with 220 kids to a school with about 2200 kids. I really like the faxct that middle school students got a chance to mingle with high school students, and i really enjoy my classes too. The work load is a lot, and we do a lot of projects, but its definitely worth it, and i love everything about my school. Even though i miss my old school, i definitely dont regret switching to WY. The only thing i dont like is waking up early, but its definitely worth it :) ciara

Six years of my life. And I loved it. WY has a very diverse atmosphere. Being a magnet school, you get people from all over. And everyone cares about academics in some form. I guess I could say it was a very comforting place to get an education. (Plus, there are so many classes in so many fields of interest...) The teachers cared about the students, like for real. And through whatever method they use to teach, they get their point through. The school has lots of programs - after school clubs and extracurricular's. Lots of sports. It's a place that gives you a lot of chances. And I have to say. There are just some things that WY has that other schools seem to lack. If you went there, you know what I mean.

As a parent i would really like that my doughter attend this school. my doughter goes to w. irving middle school, she wants to go to whitney young sence she was in the 5th grade i think she made a great choice i hope they accept her.
—Submitted by a parent

I love my school sooooo much.!! I've been wanting to go to Whitney Young since I was in the 4th grade and when I finally found out I had gotten in I was really happy. I'm in 10th grd. and even though I love the school this year is hard. But hey,, what can you expect when you go to a grade A+ school.!!!!
—Submitted by a student

The administration is highly organized, communication to parents is excellent. My son graduated in June and was able to pick from 6 top midwest colleges/univerisities. Learning atmosphere is serious but relaxed. Many excellent mentors for students on staff. My daughter is involved in the theater program which has become her second family. WYMHS has it all: academics, arts, sports, wonderful safe learning environment. Diversity in faculty and staff stimulates all employees and students to think outside the box. Principle should run for president of the US. She is a visionary who really understands students and families. Compassionate but does not suffer fools gladly. I would recommend this school for anyone who wants a great education in a top notch institution.
—Submitted by a parent

Spent the best four years of my life there. Loved the buildings, the teachers, the students, the clubs, the diversity of classes.
—Submitted by a student

Whitney Young has provided my two children the unique experience of attending a school which draws from all parts of the city, from families who are diverse in every sense of the word. It's a school where it's o.k. to be smart. The size is generally a plus, as it provides the opportunity for a very broad range of activities and classes. That said, I have been disappointed in the uneven quality of the teachers, particularly in math and science. Most WYHS teachers are excellent, but the exceptions are glaring. The principal seems very focused on achieving successes she can measure -- high standardized test scores, winning sports teams -- rather than seeking truly innovative ways for students to learn. I would still choose WYHS as a place for my children's education, but hope the administration will think creatively and not rest on their laurels as they plan for the future.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a graduate of Young and I am a better person because of my experiences there.
—Submitted by a parent

WhineY Young is a wonderful school. There are many activities after school, 100s of clubs, and diverse people...but the test to get in is very hard. Compared to my old school, WY is so much more mature and interesting (fun)!
—Submitted by a student

Whitney Young is a wonderfully exceptional school, but it is not for every child. It houses classes from 7th through 12th grades, which makes it somewhat large as well as a long time to remain if you enter at the 7th grade level. However, the diversity, class selections, accelerated pace, friendliness and dedication of the school to help your child succeed at Whitney Young, college and life is not surpassed by any other CPS high school. The students are motivated and very bright, and are free to express their individuality respectfully. The principal is very knowledgeable and cares about all of her students, and that trickles down to the staff. A great school by far!
—Submitted by a parent

I went to this school and there are certainly many changes now that my daughter attends. I am still impressed, but have some concerns with teacher expectations. WY certainly has high expectations, but only a select few have been unrealistic. She has been there since 7th grade and will be a junior this fall. I am very proud of her academic success.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a freshman at Whitney Young High School and am now entering the second semester and thus far Whitney Young has been great and has opened so many doors to me. despite the size of the school it feels like a second home, this is only added to by the staff who are friendly and welcoming to all. the only downfall is the aging facilities which need to be updated. but over all Whitney Young has been a great expirience for me.
—Submitted by a student

I am currently a senior at Whitney Young and I sadly have to admit that Whitney Young has not been up to its standards. Coming in for 7th grade, i felt very proud to be in such a well-known school that challenged me. but over the years, the school seems to be changing right before my eyes and it is disappointing me more and more. The good thing about the school, however, is that it is very diverse and they give you a lot of opportunities to express yourself (forming your club is very easy to do). the teachers here seem like they have given up on the students and do the bare minimum to push the students to do and be more. many students are into drugs and drinking. i've had many experiences where the students are nothing but rude and disrespectful to teachers. many students are also cheating.
—Submitted by a student

Whitney Young Magnet High School, Chicago is an outstanding example of a urban, diverse, academically challenging learning environment that works. Located on the near westside of Chicago, the school provides a rigorous curriculum. It's not easy. But the school promotes learning and discovery. Individualism is valued and students have over 30 clubs, sports teams and music groups to be involved in. Additionally, we have an Academic Center for talented 7th & 8th graders. There is no other school in the country that has the diversity and extremely high standard that WYHS offers. We have an active LSC that I am part of and an active Parent Organization.
—Submitted by Geralyn Thompson, a parent

My daughter is a freshman at Whitney Young and I believe it is an excellent school with a great extracurricular activities, but given my choices of schools I don't know if I would send her there again. Edline is a great tool if the teachers use it to post students grades, homework, projects etc. All of her teachers did except one and of course that was the class she didn't do well in. I didn't find out until it was too late. The teacher never returned my calls and neither did the person in charge of the after school study program which I tried to set up for my daughter. I'm still waiting for the call. I even wrote a letter, gone to the school (you need an appointment)and sent a fax -nothing. She did have some great teachers and a great a counselor. I'm hoping her sophomore year will better.
—Submitted by a parent

I am currently in 7th grade at WY. This school excells academically, but not due to the teachers. The teacher quality is basically average, however the students here excell and that is what makes WY so 'academically enriched'. The things they teach us here are a lot more difficult than at most other schools, which is great for a lot of gifted students. However, if you consider sending your child here you should think about it more carefully.The best thing about here is that it offers a variety of different classes. (Orchestra, dance, AP, Sculpture, Marine Biology, Trigonomety etc.)
—Submitted by Theresa, a student