Our Open House Chicago coverage rolls on with a behind-the-scenes tour of Jones College Prep High School. The academically-distinguished prep school, which ranks 3rd in Illinois among public schools, was a recipient of the 2012 Blue Ribbon Award. Its new $115M facility, financed exclusively with TIF funds, recently opened its doors to students this fall. Designed by Perkins+Will, the seven-story contemporary building has an impressive presence, occupying an entire block along State Street in the South Loop. Our tour begins in the lobby, a dramatic space with three-story ceilings, soaring columns, and a wall of full-height glass outfitted with sleek metallic elements. Other highlights: the landscaped seventh-floor terrace, one of three outdoor spaces scattered throughout the building, and the bright, airy natatorium. The 276,000-square foot facility, designed to accommodate 1,200 students, boasts an impressive resume of amenities, including a fitness center, student dining area with full cooking kitchen, auditorium, art studios, green roof, theater, and an outdoor reading garden.
The old Jones College Prep building at the new facility's western border won't become the neighborhood school many locals wanted, but will merge with the new building to eventually serve around 1,700 students with a sizable share of selective enrollment. In addition to being listed as one of "America's Best High Schools" in U.S. News and World Report, Jones College Prep was also designated a "National School of Excellence" by the U.S. Department of Education.
·Jones College Prep Coverage [Curbed Chicago]
·Jones College Prep High School [Official site]
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