South Loop Struggles with Lack of Suitable Neighborhood High School

Chicago Talks Now has an article bringing attention to the lack of (suitable) public high school options in the South Loop:

Many families living in the South Loop struggle with the issue of not having a suitable neighborhood high school for their children. Litigation attorney and community leader John Jacoby faces the same problem with his youngest daughter who next year will be a freshman in high school.  

Phillips Academy in Bronzeville (via Wikipedia)

Having lived in Chicago for more than 20 years, Jacoby has been a direct witness to all of the up and coming changes in the South Loop. However, one of the most important things that have not changed is the option for an academically successful neighborhood high school. As of now, Phillips Academy is the only neighborhood high school available to Jacoby’s daughter, Kyra. Located in the Bronzeville neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago, it falls academically short with a graduation rate of 61 percent, according to the Chicago Public Schools website.  

“Our neighborhood high school is not an option,” Jacoby said. The graduation rate at Phillips Academy is lower than the Illinois state average of 88 percent.
It’s no wonder parents are scrambling to find a better high school for their children, Jacoby said.

Jacoby’s oldest daughter, Renee, is now a senior at Jones College Prep Academy located in the Printer’s Row neighborhood in downtown Chicago. In order to be accepted to this high school, a student has to have straight A’s and test into the 99th percentile, Jacoby said.

The article goes on to tell more anecdotal stories of the problem, but doesn't go much further.

This should be a big concern for the neighborhood, because if it isn't tackled families will continue to flock out of the neighborhood.