An Overview of Jones College Preparatory High School

Established in 1938, Jones College Preparatory High School is located in Chicago’s Printer’s Row. Jones is ranked as the fifth best public high school in the state of Illinois and the ninety-first best in the nation. The school boasts a student population of 1,815 with a student to teacher ratio of 20:1. Of the total enrollment, 61% are students of color, 41% receive free or reduced-price lunches, and it has a graduation rate above the state median at 95%. Additionally, Jones has a notable, famous alumnus: Grammy Award winner, Chance the Rapper.

Jones offers a wide array of excellent courses from which to choose. In English, after two years of foundational work, students can choose from a larger range of classes not typically offered at other public high schools including contemporary literature, African American literature, and Asian American literature. In math, students have the opportunity to choose from unique classes like Operations Research, Financial Algebra, and Art in Math as well as more typical classes. In science, students can take honors chemistry, physics, and biology as well as a plethora of computer science classes and electives. Languages offered at Jones include Spanish, French, and Chinese. Students are also able to participate in a variety of exchange programs or travel.

Two programs which truly stand out among other selective enrollment high schools are Jones’ Pre-Law and Pre-Engineering programs. In addition to their course of study, students enrolled in the pre-law program work in internships at prestigious law firms such as Baker McKenzie, Winston & Strawn, as well as the Illinois Supreme Court and the Cook County State Attorney. The Jones engineering program partners with Thornton Tomasetti, “a leading innovator in engineering and design with a strong commitment to the Chicago community.” Engineering students also participate in a rigorous course load taking Honors Engineering Design and Honors Digital Electronics among other classes.

In addition to core classes, Jones provides access to classes in the performing and visual arts including drama, instrumental, dance, choir, drawing, painting, mixed media, ceramics, animation, photography, video production, and more. For students interested in athletics, Jones has a great deal from which to choose. They offer over 20 different sports teams ranging from water polo to cheer-leading to track.

For more information about specific classes, athletics, or extracurricular activities, visit the school’s website at www.jonescollegeprep.org.

Lauren Lynch, Tutoring Coordinator
lauren@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266