Oak Park vs. Evanston (Hinsdale: closing, living, kids)

[edsg25]

Evanston vs. Oak Park is an age old discussion; and always interesting.

But let's keep in mind that not only do the similiarities far exceed the differences (and it is, of course, the very similiarity that makes this discussion possible), but that both Evanston and Oak Park far exceed not only what America is becoming (a mutli-racial society with no racial majority), but also the variety and true urban feel that other suburbs lack. It is not that Evanston and Oak Park are "real world"; it is that they are delightfully "real world". And they have character, dripping in character....from NU and the lakefront to the north to Frank Lloyd Wright and the former "world's biggest village" to the west to two nearly identical stores that never had to have the indignity of "Macy's" on the door, these two are special places indeed.

To assume that an ETHS education does not compare with a New Trier one or that going to OPRF is not as rich an experience as going to Hinsdale Central is ridiculous. ETHS and OPRF offer superiority because they put their students in the real world, not the sheltered one. And with two communities committed to education, you can do fantastically well academically at ETHS and OPRF and come out with the type of people skills geared for the 21st century in a way that NT, Stevenson, etc., cannot match.

Look up the North Shore from Evanston at Highland Park and Deerfield high schools, two schools that make up the same district. HPHS offers far more diversity by the inclusion of a largely hispanic Highwood than anything DHS can offer.

[Anthera]

Originally Posted by edsg25

Evanston vs. Oak Park is an age old discussion; and always interesting.

But let's keep in mind that not only do the similiarities far exceed the differences (and it is, of course, the very similiarity that makes this discussion possible), but that both Evanston and Oak Park far exceed not only what America is becoming (a mutli-racial society with no racial majority), but also the variety and true urban feel that other suburbs lack. It is not that Evanston and Oak Park are "real world"; it is that they are delightfully "real world". And they have character, dripping in character....from NU to the north to Frank Lloyd Wright to the west, these two are special places.

To assume that an ETHS education does not compare with a New Trier one or that going to OPRF is not as rich an experience as going to Hinsdale Central is ridiculous. ETHS and OPRF offer superiority because they put their students in the real world, not the sheltered one. And with two communities committed to education, you can do fantastically well academically at ETHS and OPRF and come out with the type of people skills geared for the 21st century in a way that NT, Stevenson, etc., cannot match.

Look up the North Shore from Evanston at Highland Park and Deerfield high schools, two schools that make up the same district. HPHS offers far more diversity by the inclusion of a largely hispanic Highwood than anything DHS can offer.

Sigh. This was supposed to be Oak Park vs. Evanston. Why do you have to slam other schools? Not everyone considers diversity = superiority. Diversity in high school is nice but it doesn't really play out into greater sucess in adulthood. The networking you can achieve though osmosis at NT is another story.

Please show some emperical evidence that kids from NT/Stevenson do not suceed in the real world as well as ETHS. Those kids get plenty of diversity in college and the real world. I'm never seen or heard of a study where it shows exposure to diversity at 14 is vastly superior to exposure at 18. And that is accepting your premise that NT/SHS are not diverse. Their black populations are low, but there is a significant number of asians and indians.

Oddly enough there are many sucessful people out there who went to NTHS and Stevenson. They deal with the real world just fine. Very few NT grads have been arrested for cross burning.

[Anthera]

BTW - You are the only one comparing NT and Hinsdale to OP and ETHS. Everyone else is comparing the two cities to each other, with an emphasis on crime. The OP is looking at moving form OP to Evanston, not Hinsdale, or Wilmette.

[edsg25]

Originally Posted by Anthera

Sigh. This was supposed to be Oak Park vs. Evanston. Why do you have to slam other schools? Not everyone considers diversity = superiority. Diversity in high school is nice but it doesn't really play out into greater sucess in adulthood. The networking you can achieve though osmosis at NT is another story.

Please show some emperical evidence that kids from NT/Stevenson do not suceed in the real world as well as ETHS. Those kids get plenty of diversity in college and the real world. I'm never seen or heard of a study where it shows exposure to diversity at 14 is vastly superior to exposure at 18. And that is accepting your premise that NT/SHS are not diverse. Their black populations are low, but there is a significant number of asians and indians.

Oddly enough there are many sucessful people out there who went to NTHS and Stevenson. They deal with the real world just fine. Very few NT grads have been arrested for cross burning.

I'm not stopping any Oak Park-Evanston discussion. I'm merely offering an opinion.

What high school do I actually work at and have more respect for than any other high school in Chicagoland? Stevenson. It is a fabulous institution. Stevenson has its only rich diversity, even if that often swings on a Jewish/Asian axis. And its students and staff are wonderful. I know the place intimately. My wife is a New Trier grad (admittedly I went to ETHS).

And, no, was no taking pot shots at NT or Stevenson as institutions in any way. I was merely expressing my opinion that the type of diversity at ETHS or OPRF offers more valuable life experience in a nation increasingly diverse. And even that is an opinion.

I have no idea where you are coming from. I did not heap any abuse on either ASHS or NTHS, both of which I resepct completely. I merely reacted to the discussion that rankings make those high schools better than ETHS and OPRF and that there are factors, IMHO, that do no appear in the ratings.....like being exposed to more economic and racial diversity (and economic is every bit as important as racial to me).

No one here should be reluctant to disagree as long as they are not being disagreeable and I reread my post and don't see anything the least bit disagreeable.

I have no idea what your beef is on this one. And did I ever say that ETHS or OPRF were better than NT and Stevenson? No. Reread and you will see I never slammed them into any inferior status. I said their superiority was in diversity but that as institutions they do compare with Stevenson and NT. [mod cut]

[edsg25]

Originally Posted by Anthera

BTW - You are the only one comparing NT and Hinsdale to OP and ETHS. Everyone else is comparing the two cities to each other, with an emphasis on crime. The OP is looking at moving form OP to Evanston, not Hinsdale, or Wilmette.

You are right, Anthera. I agree with you completely. Sigh. I do believe I have commited a crime here. I should probably be marched to the intersection of Dodge and Church and hung from the street lamp. Or Lake Street and whatever-the-hell interesection that is at OPRF. Break some gasoline and we can burn me at the stake, too; God knows I deserve it.

Sigh. It really is horrible when people like me come and overturn the applecart, but I guess I'm just no good as the "everyone else" that you mention (even if Stevenson and New Trier were brought up far before I got into the discussion).

Would it be possible for me to send all future posts I want to make to you for (sigh) editing and editorial review?
[mod cut]

[Anthera]

[mod cut]You were comparing NT and Hinsdale , not NT and SHS to ETHS and OPRF. [mod cut]

No one else bought up Hinsdale. Its not necessary to claim ETHS is superior to other schools in order to say its a good school. [mod cut]

[edsg25]

Originally Posted by Anthera

Apparently you are unable to read this thread correctly. You seem confused about your own posts. You were comparing NT and Hinsdale , not NT and SHS to ETHS and OPRF. If you cannot remember your own comments, no point is discussing it.

No one else bought up Hinsdale. Its not necessary to claim ETHS is superior to other schools in order to say its a good school. I hope you aren't so melodramatic with your students.

of course you are right [mod cut] you're always right. and spot on about me. i'm impressed. you are the greatest. and I bow in awe of you. and you must be some great reader to suggest that I compared NT with Hinsdale.

Let's give it the old college try:

"ETHS education does not compare with a New Trier one

or that

going to OPRF is not as rich an experience as going to Hinsdale Central"

See, in the English language, dear, this means that in the north suburbs, I'm comparing Evanston with New Trier (in red). And in the west suburbs, I'm comparing OPRF with Hinsdale (in blue). You will note I used black for the joining "and that".

It's right there. In English. a comparison between two north suburban schools and then a comparison between two west suburban ones.

Now I do believe that was clear English, so where was I wrong?

Heck, I'm such a nice guy, I even color coded it for you

Meanwhile, your reading is even more suspect, my dear: where did I say that Evanston or Oak Park were better than Stevenson or New Trier or Hinsdale? All I said was their demographic mix, economically and racially were, IMHO, a healthier situation than what you have in the other three schools. An assessment on my part, not a fact, and nowhere suggesting at all that ETHS or OPRF were superior to the other three. They are not.

Again, it helps to read.

And why not shoot down all those people who brought up New Trier and Stevenson before I did. I introduced Hinsdale. Is Hinsdale a no no here, but NT and Stevenson are not.

You are something; something else. But I have to admit it. I thoroughly enjoy you.

[Anthera]

Bless your heart, you really believe what you said!

[Anthera]

I never said you compared NT to Hinsdale. Taking acomment out of context isn't considered a good debating skill. I said "NT and Hinsdale" not to Hinsdale.


It pretty creepy when you call me "dear" Is that your intent? If it isn't please cease.

[edsg25]

Originally Posted by Anthera

Maybe the OP needs to check out Highland Park.

this disturbs me greatly. You were the first person to bring up Highland Park here. I am offended. This thread is titled " Oak Park vs. Evanston". Where does Highland Park come into an Evanston-Oak Park discussion.

It is not our job to steer people to Highland Park. We need to keep them focused on either Evanston or Oak Park.

Cheer up. I'moutahere.