"Great High Schools" are described as the first phase of a master plan to renew the physical facilities of the Pittsburgh School System from elementary school through middle school and high school. Various design features, technological innovations, instructional functions, and organizational and operational characteristics of these large, comprehensive schools are discussed in relation to realization of their proposed objectives, namely--(1) to provide quality education, (2) to provide totally comprehensive schools, and (3) to provide optimum opportunity for racially balanced schools. (FS)