Evanston vs. New Trier (Skokie, Northbrook: buy, best school, college)

[Anthera]

Originally Posted by edsg25

well, that sure seems like the sanitized version of the contraversy.

This is where you said that my explanation was "sanitized".

[edsg25]

i believe i said it was the santized version but considering that I didn't even think you knew about why the lines were drawn the way they were, I could hardly have been criticizing you.

But if helps to put an end to this, I will:

Anthera, I'm sorry I got confused and substituted NTW for the more appropriate NT Nfd Frosh.

I am sorry if you took on any level any suggestion of anti-semitism on your part.

Does that settle it or to I have to spray paint myself in blue and green and gray and make a pilgrimage to Trier, Germany, to make ammends?

[Anthera]

Apology accepted

[evergreen07]

i agree that evanston is more diverse, but i'm a nt grad and i had plenty of friends from evanston who would tell you themselves that evanston is one of the most segregated schools you will ever see. they have cotillion every year which is only attended and run by white students, ebony ball for black students, and most recently latino ball for the latino students.

i've been told that the students segregate themselves in the cafeteria as well. and as far as classes go, the majority of ap classes are filled by the white upper middle class students. (nt and eths do an exchange with their ap euro kids and it's really not as eye opening to diversity as the administrations would like us to believe)

that being said, i believe that both schools are very fine schools with great educational opportunities. keep in mind also that nt is significantly larger than evanston (about twice as many kids).

[showmecards]

Hi -

I am a parent of a elementary student in Evanston thinking of moving to Wilmette, and thought this forum might help me along the way as I consider the 'end game' of high school in each district. I read all 10 pages of comments and was a little disappointed. I just haven't read anything that gets below the surface of everything I already know and it seems like many writers are just enjoying the conversation. Sorry, I am new to this and am not sure where I can get a better sense of the here and now at New Trier:

Do kids love their schools? Or do they feel stressed out and competitive? I get the impression that Wilmette and then NT do a pretty good job of trying to create a supportive atmosphere for kids v. being on their own in a big ocean.

What if you are a kid of average plus intelligence but not a super star? Can my daughter feel okay about herself at NT if she has some creative talents (ex. poetry, video animation, band, advanced in Spanish) but still struggles to memorize math facts (grade 4)? Or are straight left brain academics worshipped and someone like my daughter won't get the support she needs to feel okay?

I'd love to hear more about real student life for an average kid at NT like my daughter. I guess I'm not asking about ETHS as I know kids there.

Thanks!

[Anthera]

Originally Posted by showmecards

Hi -

I read all 10 pages of comments and was a little disappointed. I just haven't read anything that gets below the surface of everything I already know and it seems like many writers are just enjoying the conversation.


Thanks!

Well, if we weren't enjoying the conversation we wouldn't be posting! If you want your specific questions answered, you should start a new thread.

[chet everett]

I just saw an old friend that is a teachers at NT. He and I used to work together at a CPS high schools and we have mutual friends working at other schools in the City and suburbs; the perspective we have is a little unique, as I no longer teach , but still talks to other friends that do...

He reports that ALL staff is very much aware of a RANGE of issues that face the students. From too much pressure/competition to keeping all the students performing to their individual potential.

NT is unique in that after teachers are hired and advance into the next lane via taking credits towards a Masters Degree the next two tiers of pay require merit/administrative recommendations.

Teachers at NT are given a higher degree of BOTH freedom to teach the subject matter in almost any way they see fit, AND responsibility to get as many students performing as well as possible. Review by peer teachers and the higher-ups is MUCH more serious than any other normal Illinois public high school.

Oddly, the average salary is NOT the highest in the state, and even teachers with tenure DO leave for other schools if/when they feel like the are no longer fitting in.

The praise the school gets is mostly well deserved...

[showmecards]

Originally Posted by Anthera

Well, if we weren't enjoying the conversation we wouldn't be posting! If you want your specific questions answered, you should start a new thread.

Thanks for setting me straight. I'm new to this.

[Anthera]

Originally Posted by showmecards

Thanks for setting me straight. I'm new to this.

No problem, welcome to the forum.

[Costa Rica Chica]

I haven't read all the replies, but I am ETHS class of '97. I had great experiences and wonderful teachers there and some God-awful ones, (including a math teacher who I am sure was a coke addict.) The school was just starting to have gang problems back then, and I imagine it has gotten worse. Because the school is so large, there are many graduates who go on to Ivy League and top quality schools, (I went to Bryn Mawr.) Way back then, there were lots of problems with racism (the population was made of upper middle class and upper class whites and middle to lower class blacks, while the Hispanic ESL kids were kept hidden in a little wing of their own.)

ETHS has amazing facilities - a huge library, gyms, computer and resource centers, 4 cafeterias, auditoriums, fieldhouse etc.

Would I send my son to ETHS? I don't know. My opinion of the school is it has amazing facilities, resources, and opportunities. I like the large size of the student body, didn't like the racism and gang problems.