Forget the one-size-fits-all approach. Chicago Public Schools (CPS) officials have announced they're preparing to open a whole new slate of niche schools next year under the reform initiative Renaissance 2010.

Most will aim to prepare students, particularly high schoolers, for specific industries and trades -- from hospitality to technology to health sciences. Others, like the "gay-friendly" Pride Campus, hope to create an environment where students can learn at ease.

The Illinois Teachers Federation and Service Employees International Union Local 73 will also partner in opening one of the more traditional high schools in West Garfield Park. Among a handful of college prep schools is the Munchin campus, which will take up space in the historic Carson Pirie Scott Building at 1 N. State.

Just where each of these new schools will be located remains largely under wraps. More clarity will likely come after administrators make decisions regarding which existing schools, a dozen in all, will close next year, CPS spokesman Mike Vaughn said.

That's a departure from years past in which CPS targeted specific, low-performing schools, then brought in teachers, private firms, and other parties interested in taking on the task of independent stewardship. This year, much of the decisionmaking took place at official meetings.  A shortlist was subsequently rolled out at community hearings held near South Shore, South Chicago, and East and West Garfield Park where the majority of the Renaissance 2010 schools are anticipated to open.

Jaime Guzman, who does outreach for CPS' Office of New Schools, explained the reasoning behind the new process: "This year we didn't have any schools that were vacant or under utilized."

The buzz around the education blogosphere, however, is that the process wasn't as inviting as CPS might suggest.

Renaissance 2010 has been controversial since it was launched in 2005. Education advocates have complained that there's no hard evidence that the 75 new or revamped schools have actually led to higher student achievement. The teachers union has denounced the initiative as a ploy to break the union's stronghold. And community members say their input is diminished when Local School Councils are disbanded.

"Our research shows that we have about 200 really good schools in the city that are already operating," said Don Moore, director of the school reform group Designs for Change. "We think they ought to strengthen them."

Research conducted earlier this year by the Rand Corporation suggests (PDF) that students slated to attended three new charter high schools could fare best among the Renaissance 2010 schools. That's because Chicago high school students have performed better -- in terms of higher graduation rates and test scores -- under charter school management than elementary schoolers.

A final hearing on the plan is scheduled for Oct. 15. The school board will vote on the recommendations Oct. 22.