Walter Payton College Prep

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

Infobox Secondary school
name = Walter Payton College Preparatory High School
oversight = Chicago Public Schools
established = 2000
type = Public (magnet) secondary
grades = 9–12
students = 900 (approx)
principal = Ellen Estrada
city = Chicago
state = Illinois
country = USA
newspaper = The Paw Print
mascot = Grizzlies
colors = Blue and Orange
website = [http://www.wpcp.org]

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 [citation needed] . After principal Gail Ward left the school in 2006, Ellen Estrada became principal.

In May 2006 the Confucius Institute in Chicago [http://www.confuciusinstitutechicago.org] 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. [ [http://www.wpcp.org/home/academics/departments/music/music_china.shtml Walter Payton College Prep ] ] Payton is the setting for the young adult novel "ridiculous/hilarious/terrible/cool: a year in an American high school" by Elisha Cooper. [http://www.timeout.com/chicago/articles/books/27904/ridiculous-hilarious-terrible-cool]

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.Fact|date=March 2008 In addition, Payton ranks as the 46th best high school in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report. [http://www.usnews.com/directories/high-schools/index_html/state_id+IL/page_number+1/page_size+10/sort+award/name+/award+/school_name+/county+Cook/detail+less]

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"

elected 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

Activities

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.

After moving up to the highest division in the state, 4AA, Payton placed 4th overall, behind IMSA, Naperville North, and Stevenson.

Debate

This year Payton will be the second team in the history of the CPS to go to the TOC (Tournament of Champions).Fact|date=March 2008

Model U.N.

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,Fact|date=March 2008 where he continued to stress the importance of reversing the global warming crisis.

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.Fact|date=April 2008 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.

Notable Staff

Mr. Samuel Dyson, a physics teacher was honored with the prestigious Golden Apple Award in May 2007.Fact|date=March 2008

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.

References

External links

* [http://www.wpcp.org Walter Payton College Prep's official site]