by KYW's Mark Abrams

Two Philadelphia universities are exploring the possibility of running small high schools in the University City area.

The University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University have been in talks with the Philadelphia School District for some time. Both schools are looking to set up specialized academies beginning with the enrollment of ninth graders.

School District spokesman Fernando Gallard says while no firm location has been established, there is some consideration to using the existing facilities, with some renovations, at University City High School:

"We have, in the past, looked at the same building where University City is so that’s always been the possibility of actually using the current University City building."

Gallard says while no firm proposals have been put forward, both sides remain optimistic about the possibilities.