Walter Payton College Prep
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Walter Payton College Preparatory is a selective enrollment high school in Chicago, Illinois.
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[edit] History
Payton was founded in 2000, and is part of the Chicago Public Schools system. It was started with only a freshman class and grew from that point forward. The school is located on the near north side of Chicago.
It is notably one of the few selective enrollment high schools in Chicago.
It was named after Walter Payton, a former member of the Chicago Bears who died soon before the school was opened. The school colors are Blue and Orange, the team colors of the Chicago Bears.
The school team was originally named the Navigators, but it was later changed to the Grizzlies after a vote by the student body.
[edit] Mission
"The mission of Walter Payton College Prep is to offer our students the very best educational experience possible, one that challenges, that fosters creativity and the literacy skills with which to understand and express that creativity, that encourages integrity and the appreciation of diversity and one which uses the latest in educational technology. We will have our students ask 'why?' and 'why not?', write and act reflectively and not reflexively, and set and surpass their own standards. We will provide them with a global education that will nurture future leaders." Motto: "We Nurture Leaders."
Old Motto (since changed): "We Build Future Leaders."
[edit] Math Team
In 2004, Payton's math team scored a decisive victory for the city of Chicago when it became the first Chicago Public School in decades to win the state championship. Payton's four year-old team topped the University of Chicago Laboratory School (the reigning private school in the division) in Division 2A at the Illinois Council of Math Teachers. The statewide competition was held in Urbana, IL. Since then they have also won the state title in 2005 and 2006, as well as the city title in 2006.
[edit] Staff
- The following is true as of the November 2006:
Acting Principal: Ellen Estrada
Assistant Principals: Carrie Lewis and Sandrai Stigler
Art Department Head: Phyllis Burstein
Counseling Department Head: Virginia Cudecki
English Department Head: Jonathan Miller
Math Department Head: Doug O'Roark
Music Department Head: Jeffrey Weaver
Physical Education Department Head: Tom Cook
Science Department Head: Marilyn Havlik
Social Studies Department Head: Luis Menacho
World Language Department Head: Carol Ruth Kimmel
[edit] Events
Payton hosts many events, with varying topics, over the course of the school year.
[edit] Functions:
- Family University
- International Festival
- Olympian Day
[edit] Performances:
- Battle of the Bands
- The Talent Show
[edit] Dances:
- Homecoming
- Black and White Affair
- Winter ball
- Junior Prom
- Senior Prom
