Who Gets In and Who Gets Left Out of Selective Enrollment Schools?

Right now, thousands of Chicago Public School kids and their families are stressing about where they’re going to high school. That’s because Dec. 15 is the deadline to apply to the district’s selective enrollment schools. There are 11 selective enrollment public high schools in Chicago, some of which are included in lists for the best schools in the country — schools like Whitney Young, Walter Payton, and Gwendolyn Brooks. WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp walks us through the history of why these schools exist, inequities in enrollment, and the process to get in. Plus, City Cast Chicago newsletter writer Sidney Madden shares her experience of applying to Whitney Young High School ten years ago. Guests: Sarah Karp—Education reporter, WBEZ Sidney Madden—Newsletter writer, City Cast Chicago Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm