Best School District in a 15mi. radius of Wheeling IL (Chicago: middle-class, real estate)

[Joa]

DH got a job offer in Wheeling, and we know NOTHING about IL.

We have a son (elementary) who is special needs, so our first priority is finding a good school district, then finding a house. We'd like to live no more than 15m. out from Wheeling.

So anyone know the top 2 best ones?
I'll probably be making a thread a bit later (if he does accept the job, he has until tuesday to decide) ...regarding area to live in.

anyway, thanks for your help. I'm always so worried about moving somewhere due to the needs of my son.

[Anthera]

Originally Posted by Joa

DH got a job offer in Wheeling, and we know NOTHING about IL.

We have a son (elementary) who is special needs, so our first priority is finding a good school district, then finding a house. We'd like to live no more than 15m. out from Wheeling.

So anyone know the top 2 best ones?
I'll probably be making a thread a bit later (if he does accept the job, he has until tuesday to decide) ...regarding area to live in.

anyway, thanks for your help. I'm always so worried about moving somewhere due to the needs of my son.

For special needs, Glenbrook is tops. Glenbrook encompasses Glenview and Northbrook, both very nice cities.

[Nysee53]

Anthera,

I am surprised you would not recommend our district. New Trier has an excellent special education program for high school age students. Winnetka has the best special education program for kids below 8th grade. I would highly recommend Glencoe or Winnetka for the quick commute to Wheeling. I have worked in Wheeling and it only took me 15 minutes out Dundee Road. Glenbrook North and Glenbrook South are great areas but I am sure New Trier has a better program. PM me if you need an agent. I have one that would be happy to help you with your search in either Glenbrook or New Trier.

[Anthera]

Nysee,

The OP's child is in elementary school. Glenbrook is the best district for special education. I personally know people who have moved from Winnetka and Kenilworth to Glenview because their programs are so superior.

Glenbrook also has the advantage of being a larger district. If someone's child is (for example) profoundly deaf, Glenbrook has more and better resources than Winnetka who might only have a profoundly deaf child once a decade. A large district is more able to service kids w/i the district, while a Glencoe, Winnetka, Kenilworth might send the child to Cove because they had no way to cost-effectively serve that child.


ETA - I just spoke to a friend whose son had learing disabilities and she hated NT's program. Her son with LD issues was grouped with BD kids. She believes that he became involved with drugs though these kids. In addition, it bothered her that the resource facilities were all located in the basement. She thought it sent the wrong message.

I like NT very much. One of my kids has attended NT since he was in 7th grade (NT math) and he thinks it the world's gratest school. My other HS child goes to a private school because she found it too big. Its a great school, certainly IMO the best large public school in Chicagoland, its just not always the right fit for everyone.

[Joa]

Okay, Glenbrook (Cook county) when I do a search seems to expensive for us

I do a search for Wheeling and do a 10 mi radius using realtor.com and get plenty of homes (mostly townhomes) we can afford and neighborhoods we see us living in (middle-class, not everyone parks in the street b/c they use their garage, police aren't there, and kids are safe to play outside).

I should just ask for several good districts. We're hoping my son will come out of what he has with a few years of special ed. He won't be there forever yet we plan to live in Illinois for quite some time (Again if we decide to go there by tuesday).

Thanks for the start though. I'm surprised by how knowledgeable you guys are compared to other cities I've inquired about! Thanks.

[Anthera]

OP - search for Glenview and Northbrook, not Glenbrook. Both are waaay less expensive than Winnetka. There are lots of townhomes in both cities. Wheeling is a lot more affordable though.

Another stategy you might employ is to call the districts and ask for info, and at the end ask which other district they consider to be their peers. Tell them what you child's specific disability is, one district may have poor resources in that area, and another might be great.

[Nysee53]

I know there was a deaf child who lived on our old street in Kenilworth. They were able to get great assistance at Sears and the child eventually went onto normal classes, of course with help from counselers, to New Trier. You know people that moved from Kenilworth or Winnetka to Glenview, that is a tremendous lifestyle change for their kids, they deserve a pat on the back. The Cove is an excellent option, but I think that if you work hard enough your child can get through with special needs, especially if it is not a physical dissability. The OP might want to consider the choice zone of Northfield and Northbrook to see which district can best support their child at any given time.

Helpful Links:

WinnetkaNow
Northfield Buzz
New Trier Township High School District 203
Winnetka Public Schools :: District 36 :: Winnetka, IL
SRD29 -
The Joseph Sears School- Kenilworth School District No. 38
Glencoe District 35
The Cove School

These are the districts you really want to consider in my opinion. How much do you have to spend on a home? What type of community do you prefer? I also added the Cove which is an expensive school for learning disabled children, probably unnecessary, but take a look at it.

[Joa]

I appreciate the links. Very helpful although everything seems so confusing since these aren't areas I'm familiar with so it's like everything is in piglatin. I hate moving now that we have children to consider. lol

Now I know from lots of experience that the picture on the internet is always very deceiving ...because it doesn't show the neighborhood or if it's a cheap brick or that there's a powerline right in your backyard, etc, etc.. but we'd like to live in something as nice as this [and price range] ...if not an actual home.

Condo/Townhouse/Co-Op - 203 Bakers West DR Unit: 203, Lakemoor, IL, 60051 - Realtor.com

Is this in a good school district? lol I'm not used to real estate that doesn't say like other towns I've searched in the past (other states we've lived in).

[Nysee53]

I am sorry to say this, but if all you can afford is $160,000 for a place, I would advise you and your husband to rethink this move. $160,000 is going to be the worst housing in the worst school district here. Lakemoor is not in a good school district anyway and the commute might not be favorable. I wish you had told us this before because Winnetka, Glencoe, Glenview, Northbrook, etc. are all way above your head. You would need at least $500,000 to find a nice townhome in these locations. Sorry to ruin your evening :-(.

[Joa]

Not even a decent school district? We just need a decent district until we can do another move [which will be easy w/this company], so maybe 5 years tops. That's depressing to hear, lol

My son is only 2, so we have hope. Early Intervention just says he NEEDS to be in a special-ed pre school to help him catch up.

While we're in Alaska now and living in a 219k house... we won't be making the same amount as he exits the military. And we're still crossing our fingers for ohio or houston (other job offers we have on the counter).