The Results Are In: White, Asian Students Have Edge In CPS High School Placement

By Meha Ahmad
Chicago Public School Graduation
Eighth graders graduate from Whittier Dual Language School in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood in June 2017. Latino students constitute the largest ethnic group in CPS, nearly 47 percent of all students. They’ve shown strong gains on test scores over the last decade. Linda Lutton / WBEZ
Chicago Public School Graduation
Eighth graders graduate from Whittier Dual Language School in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood in June 2017. Latino students constitute the largest ethnic group in CPS, nearly 47 percent of all students. They’ve shown strong gains on test scores over the last decade. Linda Lutton / WBEZ

The Results Are In: White, Asian Students Have Edge In CPS High School Placement

By Meha Ahmad
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On Friday, eighth graders in the Chicago Public School system found out what high schools they’ll attend in the fall.

CPS has 11 selective enrollment — or “test in” schools” — which are elite, competitive, and a feather in the cap of any student lucky enough to get in. 

Some elementary schools dominate in acceptance rates to Chicago Public Schools’ more prestigious test-in high schools, leading to a growing racial disparity.

WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp joins the Morning Shift to break down this year’s results and the problem many students face in trying to get into the elite high schools.