Southside Gets its share Jones Strong business ties bring success King Undergoing reconstructive surgery Two of the South Side college preps are on track following a turbulent start. Jones College Preparatory High School in the South Loop surged with support from nearby Roosevelt University and downtown business leaders. In Roseland, Southside College Preparatory High School has benefitted from lobbying by the Rev. James T. Meeks, pastor of Salem Baptist Church, who has championed the school with schools chief Paul Vallas. But Lindblom College Preparatory High is languishing. It is on its third principal in 12 months.
Teachers report a still-emerging college prep curriculum and low morale among the staff.
Indeed, only 75 freshmen are enrolled this fall. When you have elected officials, the clergy and community residents all coming together and getting involved, there's nothing you can't do. So far, college preps are open in five of the board's six regions. The sixth one, King High in Kenwood, is being converted and is scheduled to open as a college prep next August. In the view of Paul Vallas, there has been a fair distribution of resources.