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Admissions Process
Choosing a high school is important.
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 28 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, 98% of the graduating seniors were accepted to four year colleges.
 
For 7th grade admission information please click here.
 
The application period for incoming 9th grade students is now closed!
 
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 OCTOBER 1ST. APPLICATIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE STARTING ON THAT DATE.
APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE OFFICE OF ACADEMIC ENHANCEMENT BY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2011.
 
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 September 28 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 total. 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 2009-2010 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 2009-2010 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 2009-2010 school year, or attended a charter school in the 2009-2010 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. Incomplete applications are returned.
 
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.
 
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 for students wishing to apply for the 2012-2013 school year will be available on March 1, 2012.  Applications will be available in our main office and on this site.
 
To be considered for admission applications 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 and a copy of most recent test scores.
 
Students interested in applying for transfer to Whitney M. Young Magnet High School for the 2012-2013 school year should contact Augustina Pucci, Admissions Director at 773-534-7624 for more information.
 
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.