By Dr. Marciene Mattleman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - There are 89 regular high schools in Philadelphia – 54 run by the District and 39 charters. The good news is that students in Philly have a choice; the bad news is that by September 2013, there could be many fewer high schools, because of downsizing.

For 8th graders who must make high school choices by November 2nd, there is anxiety, because students may select schools that don’t exist next year. The new strategy will focus on “a system of great schools,” according to School Reform Commission chair Pedro Ramos and Mayor Nutter.

The newly formed Philadelphia School Partnership has already raised $50 million to give grants to those high performing schools – District, charter, parochial and private. With fewer counselors due to cutbacks, important information for families about those schools will be available in October at GreatPhillySchools.org.