Any "extraordinary" schools---I don't care about test scores (Urbana: high school, kids)

[asliarun]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

Do a search of the forum... Someone on here not long ago was asking about housing in Aurora near the Academy, and I believe they had a child about to enroll there. You could probably direct message them.

Thanks. I will. As I understand, it is a fully residential school, so there's that too.

Interestingly, I was in a technical forum and attended a presentation by a tech startup founder who was from IMSA. He specifically call out his high school and how much of an impact it had on him. That took me by surprise because I have heard of people talking about their college and university, but hardly ever their high school.

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by asliarun

The schools in New Trier district generally enjoy a really good reputation. Many parts of Wilmette and Winnetka are actually very reasonably priced - and a lot of people move to this district and feeder towns because of the schools.

The one school that intrigues me a great deal is IMSA or Illinois Math and Science Academy. While it sounds geeky and some may be put off by it, it sounds like a school that values creativity, discovery, experimentation, and initiative above everything else.

Hogwarts for Hackers: Inside the Science and Tech School of Tomorrow | WIRED

Does anyone in this forum have any experience or views on this school?

I have some experience with IMSA, both back when I was a teacher and providing feedback to neighbors whose kids did attend.

First, it is has very strict admissions criteria -- if you are not performing above the 90% percentile when taking standardized tests like the PSAT as a high school freshmen there is almost no chance your application will be successful. Similarly, if you are not taking at least accelerated math classes like Algebra II / Trig as a freshmen you don't stand much of a change of admission.

The school is similarly quite strict about the cohort model of admissions -- no matter how much you've been accelerated prior to getting to IMSA the school is set up so that entering sophomores will spend three years at the school and then be well prepared for highly selective colleges. The major that kids choose may not necessarily be math / science / technology, but kids that don't pursue those areas are not doing so because of any lack of preparation. The lab sciences are every bit as rigorous as anything encountered by undergraduates at any top tier university -- the chemistry / biology / physics / microbiology / organic chem / higher level physics / electronics / technology literally use the same texts as the engineering programs at UIUC and similar caliber schools. There are similar high standards for foreign languages, core English Literature / Composition, US History, Modern European History / Comparative politics, rhetoric / debate, and social sciences like economics, psychology, sociololgy, studio art / art history. The kids take fitness oriented PE and are encouraged to participate in intramural sports, competitive sports and artistic productions / music.

Needless to say the advantage of having everything under one roof / connected campus is a big part of the whole experience. The cost is typically FREE to anyone, though families that are above the poverty line are expected to pay for books / lab fees / some living expenses. It is not luxurious, but neither it is overly spartan; the core of the campus as purchased from West Aurora High School and dorms were added. It has a bit of a 70s / 80s / governmental compound appearance. Kids are welcome to spend weekends on campus or at home, kids from downstate often get kind of "adopted" by families in the closer suburbs to minimize the driving that otherwise would make it too time consuming to leave campus...

[asliarun]

Thanks a bunch, Chet. This is great information.

To OP: Didn't mean to take over your thread. I only brought up IMSA since you asked about extraordinary schools.

[angmcd]

Thanks for all the good info so far!

[4122]

It's a shame that many public schools are too focused on test scores. Test scores don't eve show the overall quality of a school because it really depends on what kind of students the schools have, not how good the school's academics are. Wealthy school districts have an advantage on test scores because there are hardly any low income students and many students have tutors outside of school because their families have the money to afford it. I do agree that there are top ranked schools that are overrated. At my daughter's old school, it was one of the top high schools in the state, yet I do not feel that she got the education she needed. There weren't a lot of courses for students to explore their interests compared to other schools in the area.

Also, not only was the school too focused on test scores, they were they were pressuring students to take AP classes whether or not it was the right fit for them. When my daughter's friend signed up to take earth science which was not an AP course, they decided last minute to make it AP and now she's struggling in the class. My other daughter was also forced to take AP Biology her senior year when she only got a B in Biology sophomore year. She failed the class and when she dropped out of the first quarter, the school would not take it off her transcript which I believe was the reason she didn't get accepted to certain colleges.

Not all public schools are like this, but many do place a lot emphasis on test scores. However, private school would be the best option for you because their students are not required to take standardized state tests because they aren't required to follow a specific curriculum by the state. If you do end up looking at public schools, find one that has a lot of classes and places importance on creativity.

[Paige65]

It's a newer school, but I know people who have a (very smart) child who goes to Beacon Academy in Evanston and they are pleased with the opportunities their child has had there. From my understanding it's not a traditional school. I would look to their website to see if it's something that interests you.

Home - Beacon Academy

[nana053]

Originally Posted by Paige65

It's a newer school, but I know people who have a (very smart) child who goes to Beacon Academy in Evanston and they are pleased with the opportunities their child has had there. From my understanding it's not a traditional school. I would look to their website to see if it's something that interests you.

Home - Beacon Academy

It says it is a Montessori school. Note that the tuition is over $20,000 per year though and the fees are an extra $1500.

[midwestfamily]

Northbrook has a great school system - programs for gifted students are offered from Elementary school level on.
GBN - High School - has an incredible breadth and depth of programs - academic and arts.
I personally know several kids who entered college at sophomore level on full ride academic scholarship - all based on GBN "Academy" program. A number of kids achieve national recognition for math and science every year. The theater and band programs are amazing - as well as overall offering of arts classes and after school activities.

[ChiAreaGuy]

Test scores DO reveal a lot, don't think this way. It is not everything, however displays an amount about the school.

If you want international, check out Schaumburg. With a large(30%), Hindu and Asian population, your tastes might like it. It's also a cheap town(avg house lower than 170k, rent somewhat high). Bang for buck, as they say.

[cbsmom]

Originally Posted by Paige65

It's a newer school, but I know people who have a (very smart) child who goes to Beacon Academy in Evanston and they are pleased with the opportunities their child has had there. From my understanding it's not a traditional school. I would look to their website to see if it's something that interests you.

Home - Beacon Academy

I'm very interested in learning more about Beacon! I haven't heard about too many Montessori high schools. I'm glad that your friends' child is doing well there. Did their child also go to a Montessori elementary?