Walter Henri Dyett High School for the Arts
CPS choice · 9-12
At a glance
On the 5Essentials survey, Family involvement and Instruction were rated ‘Strong’ (5Essentials spring 2024 survey - benchmarked levels relative to Illinois statewide, spring 2013, not percentages). 61% of teachers stayed from one year to the next - below what's typical for CPS high schools (ISBE Report Card 2025). In 2025–26, 127 applications were recorded for 10 offers (GoCPS, 2025–26 school year - the most recent seat data SchoolNav has).
- Academic fit
- Instruction was rated ‘Strong’ on the 5Essentials survey (5Essentials spring 2024 survey - benchmarked levels relative to Illinois statewide, spring 2013, not percentages). 61% of teachers stayed from one year to the next - below what's typical for CPS high schools (ISBE Report Card 2025).
- Social-emotional fit
- 61% of students with IEPs spend most of the school day in general classrooms - about what's typical for CPS high schools (ISBE Report Card 2025). There is 1 school counselor per 171 students.
Computed from published data with its source and year on every clause - a description, never a grade.
Basics
CPS-published · verified Nov 2024
- Address
- 555 E 51ST
- Neighborhood
- Washington Park
- Phone
- (773)535-1825
- Hours
- Unknown - not verified yet
- Website
- https://newdyett.org
- Before and after care
Supplemental care not found.
SchoolNav searched the school’s website and the main care providers’ pages in Sep 2026 and found no before or after care. Some programs are never posted online, so ask the school office or on a tour.
- Arts and creative
Drawing, Film and Video, Jewelry, Modern/Hip-Hop Dance, Painting, Plays/Acting, Rhythm Group, Step Dance, Theater, Band/Orchestra, Fundamentals/Theory of Music, Mosaics, Paper Making, Pottery, Rock Band, Student Art Club, Animation/Cartoon, Fashion, Graphic Design, Line Dancing, Murals, Student Music Club, Art Studio, Ceramics, Dance, Guitar, Media and Production Workshops, Musicals, Photography, Sewing, Talent Show, Web Design, Choir/Chorus, Drama, Improv, Mixed Media, Piano/Keyboard
From the school’s CPS profile, for the 2026-27 school year. Checked Sep 2026. Offerings change each year, so confirm on a tour.
- Sports
16” Softball, Bowling, Cheerleading, Exercise, Football, Girls' Basketball, Girls' Volleyball, Pom-Pon, Step Dance, Wrestling, Boys' Baseball, Boys' Track, Chess, Fast Pitch, Girls' Bowling, Girls' Softball, Jump Rope, Yoga/Pilates, Baseball, Boys' Basketball, Boys' Volleyball, Conditioning and Fitness, Fitness Basics, Girls' Cross Country, Running, Basketball, Boys' Bowling, Boys' Softball, Dance, Girls on Track, Soccer, Tumbling, Boys' Cross Country, Girls' Track, Softball, Volleyball
From the school’s CPS profile, for the 2026-27 school year. Checked Sep 2026. Offerings change each year, so confirm on a tour.
- Climate survey
- Involved families
- Strong
- Supportive environment
- Neutral
- Ambitious instruction
- Strong
- Effective leaders
- Neutral
- Collaborative teachers
- Neutral
- Safety (student-reported)
- Very Weak
- Overall organization
- Organized
UChicago 5Essentials levels from the spring 2024 survey (CPS Progress Reports SY2425, verified 2026-09-25) - benchmarked categories relative to Illinois statewide, spring 2013, not percentages. A school can answer mostly positively and still rate below the benchmark typical.
5Essentials - the latest survey in detail
Parent Influence on Decision Making in Schools and Innovation are rated above the CPS average; Student Peer Relationships, Student-Teacher Trust, and School Safety are rated below it this year.
From the 2026 CPS 5Essentials survey (25-26). Scores are benchmarked 1–99 (not percentages) - higher is stronger, and each is shown against the CPS average that same year. This is a newer survey on a different benchmark than the component levels above, so the two aren’t directly comparable.
Show all measures ▸Hide measures ▾
Ambitious Instruction
55 ▼ below the CPS average (60)- Academic Press· students-reported52 ▬ about the CPS average (55)
- English Instruction· students-reported63 ▬ about the CPS average (65)
- Math Instruction· students-reported68 ▬ about the CPS average (69)
- Quality of Student Discussion· teachers-reported36 ▼ below the CPS average (50)
Supportive Environment
44 ▼ below the CPS average (56)- Expectations for Postsecondary Education· teachers-reported55 ▬ about the CPS average (56)
- Safety· students-reported39 ▼ below the CPS average (49)
- School-Wide Future Orientation· students-reported45 ▼ below the CPS average (62)
- Student-Teacher Trust· students-reported37 ▼ below the CPS average (56)
Collaborative Teachers
47 ▼ below the CPS average (52)- Collaborative Practices· teachers-reported54 ▼ below the CPS average (63)
- Collective Responsibility· teachers-reported49 ▬ about the CPS average (52)
- Quality Professional Development· teachers-reported57 ▬ about the CPS average (55)
- School Commitment· teachers-reported36 ▼ below the CPS average (43)
- Teacher-Teacher Trust· teachers-reported41 ▼ below the CPS average (49)
Effective Leaders
46 ▼ below the CPS average (52)- Instructional Leadership· teachers-reported57 ▬ about the CPS average (56)
- Program Coherence· teachers-reported48 ▼ below the CPS average (52)
- Teacher Influence· teachers-reported37 ▼ below the CPS average (50)
- Teacher-Principal Trust· teachers-reported43 ▼ below the CPS average (48)
Involved Families
51 ▬ about the CPS average (50)- Parent Influence on Decision Making in Schools· teachers-reported66 ▲ above the CPS average (53)
- Parent Involvement in School· teachers-reported46 ▬ about the CPS average (49)
- Teacher-Parent Trust· teachers-reported42 ▼ below the CPS average (50)
Supplemental measures
Additional survey topics UChicago reports outside the five core measures.
- Academic Engagement· students-reported69 ▬ about the CPS average (70)
- Academic Personalism· students-reported56 ▬ about the CPS average (58)
- Classroom Disruptions· teachers-reported28 ▼ below the CPS average (42)
- Classroom Rigor· students-reported50 ▼ below the CPS average (57)
- Course Clarity· students-reported49 ▼ below the CPS average (54)
- Emotional Health· students-reported55 ▬ about the CPS average (57)
- Human & Social Resources in the Community· students-reported35 ▬ about the CPS average (38)
- Importance of High School for the Future· students-reported54 ▼ below the CPS average (67)
- Innovation· teachers-reported65 ▲ above the CPS average (56)
- Inquiry-Based Science Instruction· students-reported56 ▬ about the CPS average (59)
- Parent Supportiveness· students-reported38 ▬ about the CPS average (41)
- Reflective Dialogue· teachers-reported54 ▼ below the CPS average (61)
- Rigorous Study Habits· students-reported54 ▬ about the CPS average (57)
- School Connectedness· students-reported48 ▼ below the CPS average (58)
- School Safety· students-reported38 ▼ below the CPS average (57)
- Socialization of New Teachers· teachers-reported42 ▬ about the CPS average (40)
- Student Peer Relationships· students-reported45 ▼ below the CPS average (65)
- Student Responsibility· teachers-reported28 ▼ below the CPS average (38)
- Teacher Safety· teachers-reported43 ▼ below the CPS average (48)
UChicago Consortium — the 2026 cycle (school year 25-26) is re-benchmarked to spring 2024 (SY25+); it is NOT level-comparable to the spring-2013-benchmarked component levels shown elsewhere.
Programs (8)
| Program | Entry grades | How seats are offered | Test required | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Band Neighborhood CPS requires a GPA of at least 2.00. | 9 | Lottery | No | CPS-published · verified Oct 2026 |
Choir Neighborhood CPS requires a GPA of at least 2.00. | 9 | Lottery | No | CPS-published · verified Oct 2026 |
Dance Neighborhood CPS requires a GPA of at least 2.00. | 9 | Lottery | No | CPS-published · verified Oct 2026 |
Digital Media Career & technical Your child must take the HSAT to apply. | 9 | Lottery | No | CPS-published · verified Oct 2026 |
General Education Neighborhood CPS requires a GPA of at least 2.00. | 9 | Lottery | No | CPS-published · verified Oct 2026 |
Significantly Modified Curriculum w/ Moderate Supports (IEP) Special education | 9 | Lottery | No | CPS-published · verified Oct 2026 |
Theatre Neighborhood CPS requires a GPA of at least 2.00. | 9 | Lottery | No | CPS-published · verified Oct 2026 |
Visual Arts Neighborhood CPS requires a GPA of at least 2.00. | 9 | Lottery | No | CPS-published · verified Oct 2026 |
Local School Council
CPS-published· verified Oct 2026The Local School Council is a group of parents, staff, and neighbors who help run this school. They vote on the budget and the school plan. Their meetings are open to the public, so you can go and listen.
Next meetings
- Tuesday, November 10, 2026 at 8:30 AM
- Tuesday, December 1, 2026 at 8:30 AM
CPS lists the date and time. Ask the school office where the meeting will be held.
Members for 2026 to 2028
- Doreatha Butler · Principal
- Candace Gregory · Parent
- Sharon Baker · Community member
- Felicia Baloue · Teacher
- Marques Reed · Teacher
- Garrick Dickerson · School staff (non-teaching)
CPS keeps the official list of council meetings and members. See the CPS council list.
Parent questions & conversation
What parents and people who know this school are asking, answering, and talking about - their own words, experiences and opinions rather than verified facts.
Parent notes on this school are visible to signed-in Chicago families. Sign in to read and ask.
SchoolNav is not affiliated with CPS. Details change - each fact above shows when it was last verified. Application decisions should always be confirmed in GoCPS.