One Student’s Day at an Elite Public High School
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One Student’s Day at an Elite Public High School

By Education Week Photo Staff — May 07, 2019 1 min read
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Chicago’s selective enrollment high schools come closer to reflecting the diversity of the community than elite, admissions-based high schools in other big cities. We followed one student through her day at Whitney M. Young Magnet High School, one of Chicago’s most sought-after campuses.

Junior Rochelle Borden, 17, (right) walks with her boyfriend, Archie Grant, 17, (left) to her art class at Whitney M. Young Magnet High School in Chicago. The pair have been dating for two years.
Junior Rochelle Borden, 17, (right) walks with her boyfriend, Archie Grant, 17, (left) to her art class at Whitney M. Young Magnet High School in Chicago. The pair have been dating for two years.
Taylor Glascock for Education Week
Rochelle works in the main office of Whitney Young. Rochelle spends her lunch as well as a work-study period working in the main office, because she wants to work there next year for her senior experience. Some of her duties include collecting visitor passes and answering phones.
Rochelle works in the main office of Whitney Young. Rochelle spends her lunch as well as a work-study period working in the main office, because she wants to work there next year for her senior experience. Some of her duties include collecting visitor passes and answering phones.
Taylor Glascock for Education Week
Rochelle talks with the poetry slam team after school about what food they want to sell at an upcoming event. She is the co-captain and will be the captain her senior year.
Rochelle talks with the poetry slam team after school about what food they want to sell at an upcoming event. She is the co-captain and will be the captain her senior year.
Taylor Glascock for Education Week
Rochelle fills out a lab sheet during physics class.
Rochelle fills out a lab sheet during physics class.
Taylor Glascock for Education Week
Rochelle and her classmates in sculpture class at Whitney Young.
Rochelle and her classmates in sculpture class at Whitney Young.
Taylor Glascock for Education Week
Rochelle laughs at her partner, senior Janell Nocentelli, during sculpture class.
Rochelle laughs at her partner, senior Janell Nocentelli, during sculpture class.
Taylor Glascock for Education Week
Maria M. Cortez-Tafolla helps Rochelle with her resume.
Maria M. Cortez-Tafolla helps Rochelle with her resume.
Taylor Glascock for Education Week
Rochelle says goodbye to school counselor April Nicholson. They used to hug, but Nicholson has allergies and Rochelle now lives with several cats, so they touch fingers instead.
Rochelle says goodbye to school counselor April Nicholson. They used to hug, but Nicholson has allergies and Rochelle now lives with several cats, so they touch fingers instead.
Taylor Glascock for Education Week

Education Week Photo Staff
Work published under this byline was created, curated, or edited by Education Week’s Visual and Immersive Experiences team.
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A version of this article first appeared in the Full Frame blog.

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