Can someone tell me about Romona school in Wilmette? (house, middle school)

[trickygal]

We have been looking for a house in Wilmette and we have been focusing in on the Harper and McKenzie elementary districts, but something just came up in Romona that looks interesting. The problem is that I get the feeling that Romona is the less "preferred" school but I have yet to figure out why....any input? If I am informed correctly, they all feed to the same middle school. What am I missing?

Thanks.

[847mom]

Romona is a perfectly good school, nothing inferior about it at all. In fact, their ISAT scores from last year were basically the same as the other two aformentioned schools. My thoughts are that it has something to do with the whole East Wilmette vs. West Wilmette thing. Kind of a snob appeal, so to speak. Although, technically Central School is the one that is the furthest east in Wilmette. The east is generally where the larger, more expensive homes are and West Wilmette was developed later on, post War era. Different Architecural genres and some people consider it less desirable.
The other difference in the Romona vs. other district 39 schools thing, is that Romona will have a more diverse student body, as it has I think about 20 percent asian students. The others will have less ethnic diversity.
My kids go to a neighboring district, but we live very close by, and know many people that go to Romona and I have never heard them complain, in fact I believe they like it.
Anyways, I hope that helps you. I can think of no other differentiation than mentioned, but certain schools and areas tend to be trendy. I remember when my kids were in preschool, the moms were so into being in the McKenzie district. It seems popular still and it is a very cute looking school. My cousins kids went to Romona and then they moved and then they went to Harper but she was not disatisfied with either school. My kids go to Avoca and we love it. I do not think you will go wrong with any Wilmette or New Trier feeder district. They are all pretty top shelf. Good luck to you!

[Larry Siegel]

Heavily Jewish and Asian so some people don't like it. I'm Jewish, so what can I say. The area is also architecturally bland, so some people prefer to avoid it, having nothing to do with school quality.