Whitney M. Young Magnet High School facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Whitney M. Young Magnet High School
Address
211 South Laflin Street Chicago , Illinois 60607 United States
Coordinates	41°52′42″N 87°39′49″W / 41.8782°N 87.6636°W / 41.8782; -87.6636
Information
School type	Public Secondary Magnet
Established	1970; 55 years ago (1970)
School district	Chicago Public Schools
CEEB code	141383
Principal	Rickey Floyd Harris
Grades	7–12
Enrollment	2,221 (2023–2024)
Campus type	Urban
Color(s)	Orange      Navy Blue
Athletics conference	Chicago Public League
Team name	Dolphins
Newspaper	The Beacon

Whitney M. Young Magnet High School is a special public high school and middle school in Chicago, Illinois. It's called a 'magnet' school because it attracts students from all over the city with its unique programs. The school opened on September 3, 1975. It is named after Whitney Young, an important African-American civil rights leader. The Chicago Public Schools district runs the school.

School History and Founding

Whitney Young High School is located in the Near West Side neighborhood of Chicago. The area around the school was rebuilt after events in 1968.

The school buildings were finished in 1974. Whitney Young officially opened for students on September 3, 1975. Bernarr E. Dawson was the school's first principal.

At first, 300 students from a nearby school, Crane High School, also joined Whitney Young. This was to help local students. By 1979, the school became fully selective. This means students had to pass an entrance exam to get in.

Today, Rickey Harris is the principal of Whitney Young. He became principal in the 2022–2023 school year. He is only the fourth principal in the school's history.

How to Join Whitney Young

Admissions Process for Students

Getting into Whitney Young is based on a few things. Students take an entrance exam. Their scores on other standardized tests are also important. Elementary school grades are also considered. Any student living in Chicago, Illinois, can apply.

Whitney Young is often ranked among the best high schools in the U.S. In 2009, the school received the Blue Ribbon Award. This award recognizes schools for their excellent performance.

Academic Center for Younger Students

The Academic Center is a special program for seventh and eighth graders. These younger students get an early taste of high school. They take classes that count for high school credit.

For example, seventh graders might take Honors Algebra I and Honors Environmental Science. Eighth graders might study Honors Geometry and Honors Biology. Students can also choose up to two elective classes each year.

The Academic Center offers many extra activities. These include basketball, cross country, track, and a math team.

Academic Excellence

Whitney Young Magnet High School has a high rating from GreatSchools.org. This website gives schools a score based on their quality. Whitney Young received a 9 out of 10. This rating looks at test scores, student progress, college readiness, and fairness.

Exciting School Programs

Science Bowl and Math Team Success

The school's Science Bowl Team has won the Regional National Science Bowl Championship many times. They won in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023, and 2024. These wins allowed them to go to the National Finals in Washington, D.C. In 2016, they even placed first in a special challenge at the National Finals.

The Young Math Team also competes in many math contests. These include local and national events. The team won the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ICTM) State Championship in 2013 and 2014.

Academic Decathlon Achievements

The Academic Decathlon team at Whitney Young is very successful. They have been the Illinois State Champions for 34 out of the last 35 years. In 2012 and 2023, they finished second in the nation.

In 1995, another school initially won the state championship. However, it was found that they had cheated. The title was then given to Whitney Young. This event was even made into an HBO film called Cheaters.

Debate Team Victories

In 2010, a two-student debate team from Young won the National Forensics League National Speech and Debate Tournament. They were the first team from an urban debate league to win a national championship. Whitney Young also won the NAUDL Chase Urban Debate National Championship in the same year.

TV Production Program

Since 2013, Whitney Young has offered a video production program. It is part of their Multimedia Literacy course.

Older students create a weekly show called DubTV. This is the school's official web-series, found on its website. It's a variety show with different segments. It also includes ads for school clubs and events.

Dolphin Athletics

Flip the Dolphin mascot at the Chicago Public High School League championship basketball game, 2014.

Whitney Young competes in the Chicago Public League (CPL). They are also part of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA). The school's sports teams are called the "Dolphins." Whitney Young has 52 athletic teams across 12 different sports.

The boys' basketball team has won the IHSA state championships four times. They won in 1997–1998, 2008–2009, 2013–2014, and 2016–2017. The girls' basketball team has won the state championship three times. Their wins were in 2007–2008, 2011–2012, and 2013–2014.

The girls' tennis team won the state championship in 2017. The school's chess team has won the IHSA state championship six times. These wins were in 2010–2011, 2012–2013, 2013–2014, 2015–2016, 2018–2019, and 2020–2021.

A new athletics complex opened in 2019. It is named after Michelle Obama.

Fun Extra-Curricular Activities

Whitney Young has many clubs and activities for students. The Whitney Young Streaming Radio Station, called WY Stream, started in 2004. It shares student and staff achievements. Stream TV was added in 2006. It features shows about the school and news clips.

The Whitney Young theater company, "The Young Company," puts on many plays. Past shows include Tommy, Jesus Christ Superstar, and West Side Story. Students also formed a Gay Pride Club in 1996. This club helps support all students.

Notable Alumni