Whipple Academy

Whipple Academy is a public high school located in the North Park, Chicago neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, and is part of the Chicago Public Schools district. The school is named after William Whipple, a New Hampshire native who was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence. Whipple Academy has a diverse student body and offers a range of academic and extracurricular programs, including Advanced Placement courses and National Honor Society membership. The school has a strong focus on STEM education, with partnerships with local organizations such as the Adler Planetarium and the Field Museum of Natural History.

● History

Whipple Academy was established in 1963 and has a rich history of academic excellence, with notable alumni including Barack Obama's former White House advisor, David Axelrod, and NASA astronaut Mae Jemison. The school has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years, including a major renovation in 2005 funded by the Chicago Public Schools and the Illinois State Board of Education. Whipple Academy has also been recognized for its innovative programs, including its International Baccalaureate program, which is also offered at other schools such as Lincoln Park High School (Chicago) and Walter Payton College Prep. The school has also partnered with local organizations such as the Art Institute of Chicago and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra to provide students with unique learning opportunities.

● Campus

The Whipple Academy campus is located on a 17-acre site in the North Park, Chicago neighborhood, near the Northeastern Illinois University and the North Park Village Nature Center. The school's facilities include a state-of-the-art library media center, a gymnasium, and a theater, as well as laboratories and classrooms equipped with the latest technology, similar to those found at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and California Institute of Technology. The campus is also home to a variety of athletic fields and facilities, including a football field and a track and field stadium, which have hosted events such as the Illinois High School Association state championships. Whipple Academy is also located near several other schools, including DePaul University and University of Illinois at Chicago.

● Academics

Whipple Academy offers a rigorous academic program, with a range of courses in subjects such as mathematics, science, English, and social studies. The school also offers a variety of elective courses, including foreign languages such as Spanish, French, and Mandarin Chinese, as well as arts and music classes, similar to those offered at Juilliard School and Berklee College of Music. Whipple Academy has a strong focus on college preparation, with a counseling department that provides students with guidance and support as they navigate the college application process, including partnerships with schools such as Harvard University and Stanford University. The school also offers a range of Advanced Placement courses, including AP English Literature and Composition and AP Calculus, which are also offered at other schools such as Phillips Exeter Academy and Andover.

● Student Life

Whipple Academy has a vibrant student life, with a range of extracurricular activities and clubs available to students, including the National Honor Society, the Debate Team, and the School Newspaper, similar to those found at Yale University and Princeton University. The school also has a strong athletic program, with teams competing in the Chicago Public League and the Illinois High School Association, including sports such as football, basketball, and soccer, which are also offered at schools such as University of Michigan and University of California, Los Angeles. Whipple Academy also offers a range of music and arts programs, including a concert band, a choir, and a drama club, which have performed at events such as the Chicago Jazz Festival and the Lollapalooza music festival. The school has also partnered with local organizations such as the Chicago Bulls and the Chicago Cubs to provide students with unique learning opportunities.

● Notable Alumni

Whipple Academy has a long list of notable alumni, including David Axelrod, a former White House advisor to Barack Obama, and Mae Jemison, a NASA astronaut who was the first African American woman in space, as well as other notable figures such as Rahm Emanuel, the former Mayor of Chicago, and Arne Duncan, the former United States Secretary of Education. Other notable alumni include Andrea Metcalf, a fitness expert and television personality, and Robin Robinson (journalist), a journalist and author who has written for publications such as the Chicago Tribune and The New York Times. Whipple Academy alumni have gone on to attend a range of prestigious colleges and universities, including Harvard University, Stanford University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as well as University of Chicago and Northwestern University. The school's alumni have also achieved success in a variety of fields, including politics, science, arts, and entertainment, with notable alumni including Kanye West, a musician and fashion designer, and Chance the Rapper, a musician and philanthropist.