Contact Information

Admissions

Whitney Young is the most well established and competitive Academic Center. Since the WY Academic Center averages approximately 2,000 applicants for its 120 seats, typically only 6% of students who apply get a spot.

In the most recent admissions cycle (2016-2017), average admissions scores rose slightly (+14 points) to 876 on the 900 points admissions scale. This increase was driven primarily by an increase in admissions scores for Tier 1 students (+17 points) to 829 points and Tier 2 students (+12 points) to 859 points.

For the past seven years, CPS has been using a socioeconomic Tier system to select students for all of its selective admissions schools, including Academic Centers. Currently, thirty percent of seats are allocated to students with the highest academic performance citywide – regardless of their “socioeconomic status”. The remaining seventy percent are allocated to each of four socioeconomic Tiers, with each Tier receiving 17.5%. Students compete for this portion based their academic performance in comparison with other students in their Tier.

Use of the Tier system has led to significant gaps in the academic achievement required for admissions between students from different parts of the City of Chicago. There is a particularly large gap between admissions scores of Tier 4 (the highest socioeconomic Tier) and Tier 1 (the lowest socioeconomic Tier) students – in the more competitive schools.

In the most recent admissions year, there was a 46-point gap between the average score of an admitted Whitney Young Academic Center (WYAC) Tier 4 and Tier 1 student. Moreover there was a 74-point gap between the cut-off score of an admitted WYAC Tier 4 and Tier 1 students. The existence of large gaps between the admissions score of admitted students from different Tiers means that students are being admitted with markedly different academic backgrounds.

In 2015-2016, average scores for students from Tier 1 fell (-17 points), while average scores for students from all of the other Tiers rose — despite the use of the tougher MAP test. In the most recent admissions cycle (2016-2017) scores for Tier 1 students recovered (+17 points).

Whitney Young Academic Center rarely considers transfer students seeking to enter the Academic Center in 8th grade.

Programs

In 2012, Norma Chin became the WYAC Director, taking over from long time WYAC Director Matthew Swanson. In 2014, Lynn Zalon became the WYAC Academic Center Director and an Assistant Principal. Ms. Zalon started at Whitney Young in 2002 as a counselor.

In 7th grade, students take an accelerated program that includes Honors Algebra, Honors Environmental Science, Social Sciences, Language Arts, Fine Arts, Computer Technology, World Language and Physical Education. In 8th grade, students can take an accelerated program that includes Honors Geometry, Honors Biology, U.S. History, Honors Survey of Literature, Fine Arts, Computer Technology or World Language, and Physical Education.

Each of the above “Honors” classes enables a student to earn high school credit (up to 10 high school credits in total by the end of 8th grade) – and thereby enroll in a more advanced high school program. Once Academic Center alumni become juniors and seniors they are eligible to enroll in off-campus programs for dual credit (e.g., high school and college) at local universities including the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, University of Illinois at Chicago, Loyola University, DePaul University, and St. Xavier University and local institutions including the Art Institute, Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and Gallery 37.

In addition to participating in its accelerated Academic Center Program (and earning high school credit), getting into the Whitney Young Academic Center has an added bonus — a guaranteed spot at Whitney Young High School, consistently ranked among the top high schools in the State of Illinois.

Achievements

In its 25 year history the Whitney Young Academic Center has “graduated” over 3,500 students, with many of these students earning top academic honors. For example, in 2012, Whitney Young High School had 19 students achieve National Merit Semifinalist status – the most from any Illinois public school. Seventeen of these nineteen students are former Academic Center students.

Whitney Young Academic Center particularly shines in math. Evidence includes Whitney Young AC’s math competition performance and the Academic Center’s stellar math scores. In 2013 WYAC won first and second place finishes in the Chicago Junior Math League competition – repeating a similar position the prior year. Additionally, Whitney Young Academic Center has done well in the MATHCOUNTS competition including placing a number of students in the top 25% in recent years.

In 2013, WYAC 8th graders received a math score of 23.2 and a Composite EXPLORE score of 22.7 – approximately 98% of students nationwide were either at that level or below.

Activities/Clubs/Sports

Whitney Young Academic Center students can participate in any of the over 80 clubs available through Whitney Young High School. In 2011, the Whitney Young Academic Center started its own newspaper.

While Whitney Young Academic Center students prepare for high school and college – they still participate in “traditional” 8th grade events including an annual trip to Washington, D.C. However, unlike most elementary school students, Whitney Young Academic Center students do not have recess – but they do have a daily physical education class.

Academics

Standardized tests administered to middle school CPS students are in a state of flux. The ACT organization has phased out the EXPLORE test which has been administered to 8th and 9th graders and transitioned to the Aspire test. The ISAT has been phased out in favor the PARCC and MAP tests. As a result, the most up-to-date method of tracking school performance is the PARCC test. The PARCC is designed to measure student readiness for the next grade level’s work and subsequent college and career readiness. The PARCC is also designed to correlate with subsequent ACT performance. 

Students who met or exceeded expectations are likely to be on track for the next grade level and ultimately for college and career ratings. In 2016, 94% of Whitney Young Academic Center 8th graders met or exceeded standards in ELA (English Language Arts) while an impressive 74% of students exceeded expectations. At the same time, 100% of Whitney Young Academic Center 8th graders met or exceeded standards and 20% of student exceeded expectations in Mathematics.

For additional academic information about Whitney Young Academic Center, click here for a state report card.