CPS Acknowledges Possibility of Converting National Teachers Academy Into High School

A potential new development in the South Loop schooling discussion (via DNAinfo):

National Teachers Academy could be converted to a neighborhood high school once the new South Loop Elementary School is built nearby, top CPS officials said Tuesday. 

Forrest Claypool and Janice Jackson, respectively the chief executive and education officers at Chicago Public Schools, announced a series of community hearings this summer regarding the future of the academy at 55 W. Cermak Road in a letter to parents. 

While reiterating CPS' stance to "strengthen" the academy "so that it continues to effectively serve the community," Claypool and Jackson wrote that some have suggested the academy be converted to a new neighborhood high school serving the South Loop as well as parts of Bridgeport, Bronzeville and Chinatown once the new South Loop Elementary School opens in 2019 a few blocks away at 1601 S. Dearborn St.

As far as we're aware, this is the first time CPS has acknowledged the possibility.  Everything else has been rumors floating around.

While we know many people have voiced concerns regarding what the new South Loop Elementary School would mean to National Teachers Academy, there is also major concerns about the lack of public high school options for families in the Sloop.

What do you think?

(Hat tip:  PB!)