Walter Payton College Prep

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Walter Payton College Preparatory is a selective enrollment high school in Chicago, Illinois.

Contents

[edit] History

Walter Payton College Prep was founded in 2000, and is part of the Chicago Public Schools system. 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 shortly before the school was opened. The school colors are Blue and Orange, the team colors of the Chicago Bears. The school team was originally called the Navigators, but it was later changed by a student vote to the Grizzlies

[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."

While students are encouraged to ask questions at WPCP they are discouraged to pursue answers. The establishment at WPCP is a bureaucracy that does not respond well to criticism. Rather that nurturing leaders they would be better suited to teaching politics, as favoritism is preferred over logic. Students questioning the judgment of an institution they attempt to trust are often ignored. The faculty sympathetic to the needs of the students are unable to help for fear of losing their jobs. Administration officials care more about career advancement then the needs of those under their watchful eye. Rather than nurture leaders, WPCP molds submissive and complacent members of society.

[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 and 2007. Along with that there seniors in 2007 won the NSML and as a team the finished 4th.

[edit] Staff

  • The following is true as of March 2007:

Acting Principal: Ellen Estrada

Assistant Principals: Ginger Lumpkin and Naomi Nakayama
Administrator: Dr. Richard Gazda

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:

[edit] Dances:


[edit] External links

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