Walter Payton College Prep
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Walter Payton College Preparatory is a selective enrollment high school in Chicago, Illinois.
| Established | 2000 |
|---|---|
| Type | Public (magnet) secondary |
| Principal | Ellen Estrada |
| Students | 900 (approx) |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Location | Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| Oversight | Chicago Public Schools |
| Colors | Blue and Orange |
| Mascot | Grizzlies |
| Newspaper | The Paw Print |
| Website | [1] |
Contents |
[edit] History
Walter Payton College Prep, founded in 2000, is part of the Chicago Public Schools system. The school, which is located on Chicago's near north side, is notably one of the city's eight selective enrollment high schools. It was named after football legend 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's team was originally called the Navigators, but it was later changed by a student vote to the Grizzlies, an admittedly more "athletic" name that pays homage to their hometown football team[1]. After principal Gail Ward left the school in 2006, Ellen Estrada became principal.
In May 2006 the Confucius Institute in Chicago[2] was opened at Payton, and is the only Confucius Institute in the world to be housed in a high school. The Confucius Institute in Chicago is a parternship between Chicago Public Schools, the Office of Chinese Language Council International and Shanghai's East China Normal University.
The Payton Choir was chosen as one of only eight US choirs to travel to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. [2]
Payton is the setting for the young adult novel ridiculous/hilarious/terrible/cool: a year in an American high school by Elisha Cooper.[3]
[edit] Academics
It was rated the second best high school in the state by the Chicago Tribune this year, based on Prairie State Achievement Exam scores.[citation needed] In addition, Payton ranks as the 46th best high school in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report. [4]
[edit] Mission Statement, Motto, and Creed
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.
- Original Motto: We Nurture Leaders.
- Current Motto: We Build Future Leaders.
- Creed: Character with Courage, Curiosity and Compassion
[edit] Selected Notable Classes Offered
The following is a nonexhaustive list of courses offered, but includes relatively unique course as well as a listing of AP courses offered.
AP World History
AP American History
AP European History
AP Art History
20th Century Global Conflicts
African Studies
AP Literature and Composition
AP Language and Composition
African American Literature
Latin American Literature
A.P. Stats
A.P. Calculus AB and BC
Precalculus AB and BC
KAM I: Advanced Euclidian and Non- Euclidian Geometry
KAM II: Introduction to Number and Group Theory
A.P. Biology
A.P. Chemistry
A.P. Physics B and C
Chinese I-IV, AP
Japanese I-IV, AP
Latin I-IV, AP
[edit] Activities
[edit] Math Team
In 2004, Payton's math team became the first Chicago Public School in decades to win the Illinois Council of Mathematics Teachers (ICTM) state championship. Payton's then-four-year-old team topped the University of Chicago Laboratory School (the reigning private school in the division) in Division 2A. Since then they have also won the state title in 2005 and 2006, as well as the city title in 2006 and 2007. Their seniors placed first in the North Suburban Math League in 2007.
In 2007, Payton scored in the top 60 schools in the country for scores on the AMC-12, one of the American Mathematics Competitions.
In April 2007, the math team again won the ICTM state title for the ICTM contest despite having jumped a division ( from 2A to 3AA) since the state title in 2006. Payton's math team will move up to the highest ICTM Division, 4AA, for the 2008 contest.
[edit] Debate
This year Payton will be the second team in the history of the CPS to go to the TOC (Tournament of Champions).[citation needed]
[edit] Model UN
The Walter Payton Model UN team was started in 2004. The team started with just 4 members in 2004 and has since grown to over 50. In 2006 the team won best delegation at the Global Classrooms conference, along with many other best delegate and honorable mention awards. In November, 2007 the team also received many awards for their superior representation of their assigned nations. On February 8th, 2008, the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon visited the school because of its prestigious team,[citation needed] where he continued to stress the importance of reversing the global warming crisis.
[edit] Athletics
Payton has done well in the Chicago Public League in golf, soccer, and track, as well as having a competitive basketball program.
In the 2007 season, the Payton Football team became Conference Champs.
The men's 16" softball team is also consistently successful. If the placement of each team within the Chicago Public School System is considered (measured by end of season ranking or finish in Chicago public high school playoffs), it will be apparent that the men's 16" softball team has the highest average finish of any Payton athletic team.[citation needed] The men's 16" softball team has reached the championship game in three of the last four years, producing a Championship record of 1-2 against rival Lane Tech.
[edit] Notable Staff
Mr. Samuel Dyson, a physics teacher was honored with the prestigious Golden Apple Award in May 2007.[citation needed]
[edit] The Walter Payton Memorial Scholarship
The Walter Payton Scholarship Foundation, started by Payton's brother, Eddie, has set up an exclusive scholarship at Walter Payton C.P.H.S. The scholarship was originally based in Mississippi, the Paytons' home. However, Eddie Payton found such inspiration in the school that he decided to set up the scholarship there, as well. Every year since 2005, a recipient is chosen at Payton High School to receive the scholarship. Winners are chosen based on financial hardship, leadership ability, community outreach and general academic success.
[edit] References
- ^ citation needed
- ^ Walter Payton College Prep
