Admissions Process
Choosing the Right High School is Crucial!
WHITNEY YOUNG HIGH SCHOOL IS RIGHT FOR YOU!
Whitney M. Young Magnet High School has a long tradition of offering a rigorous college prep curriculum to Chicago's most academically advanced students. We currently offer 94 Honors courses as well as 29 Advanced Placement courses. We take great pride in preparing our students for admission to the most prestigious universities and colleges in the nation. Last year, 100% of the graduating seniors, who applied to a four year college or university, were accepted.
For 7th and 8th grade admission information please click here.
The application period for incoming 7th, 8th and 9th grade students is now closed. The deadline to submit a Selective Enrollment High School and Military School application was December 14, 2012. Please visit the Office of Access and Enrollment website at www.cpsoae.org for further information.
Freshman Admission: Apply to Whitney M. Young Magnet High School through the Selective Enrollment High School admissions process:
The Selective Enrollment High Schools selection process is based on a point system, with a maximum of 900 points. Criteria for selection is based on an application score that balances entrance exam results with standardized test scores and final classroom grades. The application score consists of:
-- The entrance exam (33 1/3% or 300 points)
-- 7th grade reading and math test results (33 1/3% or 300 points)
-- 7th grade reading, math, science and social studies grades (33 1/3% or 300 points)
THE APPLICATION PERIOD BEGINS EARLY OCTOBER!
Follow the steps below to apply to a selective enrollment school (taken from the Office of Academic Enhancement website www.cpsoae.org):
1. Obtain a Selective Enrollment application. This application can be obtained from the www.cpsoae.org website, any Selective Enrollment High School, the Options for Knowledge guide, or via mail upon request from the Office of Academic Enhancement (773-553-2060). Submit ONE application per student. You may apply to up to six schools. PLEASE NOTE: You may also apply online, using the new Online Application process. Please do not submit a paper application AND an online application. To submit an application online you will need to apply for a pin number. You may apply for your pin number beginning in September on the Office of Academic Enhancement website. Please note that it will take 3 to 5 days for your pin number to be mailed to you. Once you recieve your pin number you may complete and submit your application online.
2. The application and testing process is open to current eighth grade students of public, private and parochial schools whose seventh grade nationally normed standardized test scores are at a stanine 5 or higher in both reading comprehension and mathematics. Students who have Individualized Education Programs (IEPs ) and 504 Plans, and those students in state-approved bilingual programs, are eligible with reading comprehension and mathematics total stanines that total 10, such as a 3 and 7, or 6 and 4.
3. NOTE: The following instructions apply to the paper application only:
If the student attended a Chicago public school in the 2011-2012 school year, complete the application and submit it to the Office of Academic Enhancement, 125 S. Clark St., 4th floor, Chicago, IL 60603. Do not send applications to the high schools.
If the student attended a Chicago public school in the 2011-2012 school year, and has an IEP/504 Plan, complete the application and submit it to the student’s counselor or principal. The counselor or principal will attach a copy of the student’s IEP/504 Plan and submit it to the Office of Academic Enhancement, 125 S. Clark St., 4th floor, Chicago, IL 60603.
If the student did not attend a Chicago public school in the 2011-2012 school year, or attended a charter school in the 2011-2012 school year, complete the application and submit it to the student’s counselor or principal. The counselor or principal will complete the application, attach a copy of the student’s records (including a copy of the student's IEP/504 Plan, if applicable), and submit the materials to the Office of Academic Enhancement, 125 S. Clark St., 4th floor, Chicago, IL 60603.
4. Eligible applicants receive a letter of admission to the test. (Letters for CPS students are sent to the students’ current schools; letter for non-CPS students are sent to the home.) Ineligible applicants receive a letter informing them of their ineligibility. Applicants who are enrolled in Chicago public school receive their letter at school. Applicants who are not enrolled in a Chicago public school receive their letter at the address on the application via the U. S. mail.
5. Applications are due to the Office of Access and Enrollment by December 14, 2012. Incomplete applications are returned. Do not submit applications to the Selective Enrollment school.
6. Applicants must take the entrance exam in order to be considered for admission to a Selective Enrollment High School. Tests are given in December and January. The date of the exam will be assigned by the Office of Academic Enhancement once the application is recieved.
7. The results of the selection process are sent via U.S. mail during the last week of February to all students who completed the application process and took the Selective Enrollment entrance exam. Applicants who have been selected for admission also receive an information packet via U.S. mail from the school(s) that selected the applicants.
8. Applicants have approximately two weeks to accept an offer of admission. Failure to respond to the Selective Enrollment High School by the deadline date results in a loss of admission to that school.
Tips for Completing the Application for Selective Enrollment High Schools:
• Try not to wait until the last day to mail your application -- you never know what might happen to delay the mail.
• Do NOT submit a Standard application for Selective Enrollment High Schools.
• Do NOT send Selective Enrollment High School applications to the school(s) listed on the application.
• If you haven't received a letter of acceptance or non-acceptance regarding your child's application by the first week of April, call the Office of Academic Enhancement at (773) 553-2060.
• If you have any questions about the application, selection and notification process, please call the Office of Academic Enhancement at (773) 553-2060.
Admissions Process for Transfer Students
Transfer applications are now available. Please click the link below to download an application. Applications are also available in the Whitney Young Main Office for pick up. Students are strongly encouraged to apply by May 1st, 2013. Please note that students currently in 8th grade may NOT apply for transfer to Whitney Young High School. Current 8th grade students may only apply through the CPS Selective Enrollment process.
Download a transfer application here. Transfer Application
To be considered for admission, applicants should have demonstrated success in a rigorous curriculum, have an excellent attendance record, and be a student in good standing. Upon submission of the transfer application, students will also be asked to submit the following: an official transcript, a copy of medical and immunization records, conduct report, a copy of most recent test scores and a transfer admission essay.
Please understand that the number of available seats is quite low. We have very few openings available for transfer students, thus the competition is extremely rigorous. Students will be notified by mail of their transfer status. Students may not transfer in mid-year.