The choices that eighth graders make on which high school they pick is crucial. Not every high school would fit the needs of each and every individual eighth grader and so picking the right one makes it even more important. 

Philadelphia school District officials say "more options" across a new and improved landscape of high schools in Philadelphia. But will these new schools help  to reduce dropout rates, or address disturbingly low test scores, and provide an education relevant to students future pursuits and dreams?

Though Shelia Simmons a journalist says "Perhaps the most critical barometer for all the changes will be the performance of the city’s neighborhood high schools, which still serve over 60 percent of the District’s high school students and where many of challenges to educating students are greatest."

Some of the new schools are "High School of the Future" on Park side avenue in West Philadelphia. With a partnership with Microsoft Corporation, the school promises state of the art technology and student to computer ratio one to one. 

The Franklin Institute teamed up with a much anticipated Science Leadership Academy, at 22nd and Arch street. Also a building on 7th street near Market is National Constitution Center Partnership High School for Law, Democracy and Civic Engagement, a college preparatory program with a service learning emphasis. 

A selective new school will be Academy of Palumbo, at 11th and Catherine street. A small school who's program was modeled after the districts acclaimed magnet Central High School. It's admissions standards of almost all A's and B's and at least an 88th percentile ranking on city wide Terra Nova Exams. 

The Science Leadership Academy sets similar admissions criteria, and incoming freshmen must attend an intensive summer science institute. 

Will these new high schools overcome old problems? If so which ones will succeed and which ones will fail? And if they do why?