Wilmette elementary school (Glenview: low income, fit in, affordable houses)

[chicago030914]

Hi,
We are moving in Wilmette from Asian country and now in the middle of house hunting.
Question is, which community/elementary school we most fit in.

We are bicultural family with European and Asian blood. We don't worry about our kids settling in new school, while my wife is very concerned about being a minority in a homogeneous commuity.

I know west wilmette (Avoca, Romona) has ethnicity and diversity, which she thinks comfortable for herself and valuable for kids, however, we coudn't find houses in our taste at fair price. East wilmette has variety of properties we like at this point.

Does anyone has expericne or example of minority family in east wilmette school? Even biased opinion is appreciated. Also any difference in Mckenzie, Harper and Cenetal elementary in terms of diversity?

[4122]

I'm surprised you can't find any homes in west Wilmette because it's cheaper than east Wilmette. Look for homes in the parts of Glenview in the Wilmette school district too. It's more affordable and you'll have more homes to choose from.

I actually know an Asian family who lived in Glenview in the Wilmette school district. Their kids went to Romona and they were very happy with the school. Unfortunately, they had to move to another suburb and they really miss Glenview/Wilmette.

Here's a website called Illinois Report Card that will show you a lot of info about a school including the ethnicity of the students, the amount of low income students, and the test scores for all students or in subgroups: WILMETTE SD 39 | Schools In District

Romona is by far the most diverse while Central is the least diverse. However, all of the schools are pretty diverse compared to much of the North Shore which is known to be an affluent, homogeneous region. I wouldn't consider Central to be ethnically diverse, but the other schools are; especially Romona and Mckenzie.

[chicago030914]

Thanks, yes, west wilmette has more affordable houses, but most of them don't meet our criteria. Houses which satisfies us in west wilmette are in the same price range as central-east wilmette. That makes our desicion complicated. We prefer west wilmette, but if we purchase overpriced house there, we may end up losing money when resale. Maybe we are too picky about house. Which to comproise, property value or comfortable community.

In Illinois Report Card, Romona and Avoca looks similar but other three are almost the same. I know I am asking subjective quesiton. Let us believe Wilmette is diverse liveral overalll. How we feel about the community depends on ourselves.

[gelert]

Central @ 89% White vs. McKenzie @ 77% is a noticeable difference. If I were you I would avoid Central, but the others are all good options.

[2357]

Another vote for McKenzie district

[chicago030914]

Thanks, how about Harper?

[4122]

Originally Posted by chicago030914

Thanks, how about Harper?

I would look at Harper too. It's still pretty diverse. Have you looked at Avoca? It's a good school even though it's a separate district from the Wilmette school district. It feeds into Murphy which is more diverse than Highcrest/Wilmette and it's a great school. Avoca serves part of Glenview and part of Wilmette.

[chicago030914]

Thanks, Avoca is definately most appealing, but property choice is limited at this point.
Also I noticed property price range is wide. Is it good thing or bad thing when resale?

[4122]

Originally Posted by chicago030914

Thanks, Avoca is definately most appealing, but property choice is limited at this point.
Also I noticed property price range is wide. Is it good thing or bad thing when resale?

Are you talking about the price range in the Avoca district or Wilmette?

[chicago030914]

I mean price range in west wilmette, say, 0.3-1.5mn. Over 1 mn may be hard to sell as liquidity centers on 0.5-1mn range?