Inexpensive areas in norther illinois, not so boring either (Chicago: magnet school, college)

[msnicole83]

here's one i ran across

http://www.city-data.com/forum/chica...own-dumps.html

[Intergalactic]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

Waukegan certainly has its rough areas!

Agreed. Is there a map or other resource for the neighborhoods of Waukegan to avoid?

[msnicole83]

yes that would be really helpful intergalactic.

[GoCUBS1]

The North (off of Sheridan Rd) and NW (closer to Gurnee) areas of Waukegan used to be the better areas (not sure if it's still true). Also, the schools may be iffy though I think they have a few magnet and private schools. You could also look into neighboring Beach Park.

[msnicole83]

thanks. I've looked into gurnee and its seems doable, waukegan as well but i've heard bad things. I have to look into the magnet schools

[Intergalactic]

Originally Posted by msnicole83

thanks. I've looked into gurnee and its seems doable, waukegan as well but i've heard bad things. I have to look into the magnet schools

I figure that all Waukegan schools will be unacceptable. Unbeknownst to most people is the fact that the quality of education is affected only by the income level of the parents of the students. In other words, if the students are mostly impoverished, it doesn't matter how good the teachers are, how much money the school district spends per student or any other metric. Charter schools attract impoverished students, from impoverished parents who think that the other metrics matter.

So that leaves out Waukegan, North Chicago and Park City for people with children in the whole of Lake County. If any neighboring schools get large numbers of children from those towns, they are out too. Waukegan is still fine--at least in parts--for people without children.

[cubssoxfan]

Chet,
The apartments along Waukegan Rd. South of Abbott Labs; I believe they are in Lake Bluff, but do they go to Lake Bluff schools?? Some of those complexes look newer and pretty nice.They would also be SUPER close to Great Lakes.

[chet everett]

That is a good question. I know those apartments, was driving by 'em not too long ago on the way to a business meeting.

Abbott Park IL - Google Maps

The "mailing address" out there probably was set DECADES ago and bears no actual relation to the real boundary or school attendance area, but it might be work checking out...

[Intergalactic]

The boundary there is such that the houses on Sanctuary Lane are in the Lake Bluff Elementary School District 65 and the area to the west is in Oak Grove School District 68. (And those buildings are in North Chicago.)

Lake County Illinois Maps Online

[GoCUBS1]

Originally Posted by Intergalactic

I figure that all Waukegan schools will be unacceptable. Unbeknownst to most people is the fact that the quality of education is affected only by the income level of the parents of the students. In other words, if the students are mostly impoverished, it doesn't matter how good the teachers are, how much money the school district spends per student or any other metric. Charter schools attract impoverished students, from impoverished parents who think that the other metrics matter.

I think there are problems w/Waukegan schools but I disagree w/your generalizations. Please provide evidence that "the quality of education is only affected by income level of parents." Being poor does not make you stupid or a bad student. I grew up poor in Waukegan and have a Masters degree. I have a good friend who grew up poor in Waukegan, attended a magnet school (one that you have to test to get into), and graduated from Harvard w/a law degree. I can not speak of the current situation in Waukegan schools but I'd do more research on specific programs (e.g. availability of a gifted magnet program, college prep courses, etc.) before making assumptions. For an interesting case study, look at the Evanston school system which has a higher proportion of lower income students, yet still has a good amount of gifted/college prep courses.

If you have a good student in a town w/more lower-performing students AND the school has an adequate # of gifted/college prep courses, your child may find it easier to get into those advanced programs (e.g. have heard this about Elgin district). However, if you are in a town w/ a larger # of higher-performing students trying to get into a few # of AP courses, the opposite may be true (e.g. have heard this is the case w/New Trier? Not sure.). For gifted programs, some towns require that the student test in the upper 5-10% nationally (e.g. Lake Zurich I think) while other towns require they be in the upper 1% (e.g. Stevenson I think).

Bottom Line:
1.) Look at your child's individual needs. 2.) Before making assumptions about a school, look at what specific programs the school offers (e.g. perhaps they have a college prep program aimed at lower-income like Evanston) 3.) Help your child to get into the best programs that best fit his/her needs.

p.s. MsNicole83, Have you considered Evanston? Or is it too far?