Chicago’s selective enrollment high schools come closer to reflecting the diversity of the community than elite, admissions-based high schools in other big cities. We followed one student through her day at Whitney M. Young Magnet High School, one of Chicago’s most sought-after campuses.
Photos by: Taylor Glascock for Education Week
Junior Rochelle Borden, 17, (right) walks with her boyfriend, Archie Grant, 17, (left) to her art class at Whitney M. Young Magnet High School in Chicago. The pair have been dating for two years.
Rochelle works in the main office of Whitney Young. Rochelle spends her lunch as well as a work-study period working in the main office, because she wants to work there next year for her senior experience. Some of her duties include collecting visitor passes and answering phones.
Rochelle talks with the poetry slam team after school about what food they want to sell at an upcoming event. She is the co-captain and will be the captain her senior year.
Rochelle fills out a lab sheet during physics class.
Rochelle and her classmates in sculpture class at Whitney Young.
Rochelle laughs at her partner, senior Janell Nocentelli, during sculpture class. They made a lotus flower out of found objects for an assemblage project.
Maria M. Cortez-Tafolla helps Rochelle with her resume.
Rochelle says goodbye to school counselor April Nicholson. They used to hug, but Nicholson has allergies and Rochelle now lives with several cats, so they touch fingers instead.