Looking for Peace and Harmony (Chicago, Evanston: school, living, moving to)

[ajolotl]

North Beverly in particular is extremely peaceful because it's virtually a gated community (only a couple of through streets and a maze to get through there). It is also all residential north of 95th, but you can still walk to a few cool places on 95th without crossing any big streets (borders, nice panera, chipotle, top notch, cold stone, rainbow cone on western). Some houses have quadrauple lots (up to an acre-sized yard). Toward the forest preserve it is spectacular.

[deechee]

Originally Posted by Chicagoexpat

Beverly is definitely looking like a contender, although I wanted to escape the mayor's many, many fees, taxes, automatic tickets, etc. I will also check out Oak Lawn and Evergreen Park, how are the schools there?

Most of their schools are good...let me find a link to their school report card...remember, a test is not always the best indicator of a student or school's reputation or quality. I went to a school with excellent test scores, and ended up stressed out, always worrying about the wrong things...like test scores! lol

Evergreen Park Elementary School District 124 - EVERGREEN PARK SD

Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123 - OAK LAWN SD

[ajolotl]

In Beverly, Kellog (north beverly), Clissold, and Sutherland are all good K-8. Barnard (east beverly) isn't so hot. The local high school (morgan park) also sucks in my opinion, though others have suggested that perception is tainted by latent racial biases. Probably a little of each. Some excellent private schools led probably by Morgan Park Academy.

[deechee]

Originally Posted by ajolotl

In Beverly, Kellog (north beverly), Clissold, and Sutherland are all good K-8. Barnard (east beverly) isn't so hot. The local high school (morgan park) also sucks in my opinion, though others have suggested that perception is tainted by latent racial biases. Probably a little of each. Some excellent private schools led probably by Morgan Park Academy.

I would say that Morgan Park is a good school. It is why many people fake addresses and such JUST to get their kids in. I would never say it's a bad school. What I will say is that some of the kids there are not the kind I'd want around my children, but hey, you win some, you lose some. Don't be scared of MP, just skeptical.

Barnard isn't so bad. It's the mini version of MP, except it really is a latent racial bias kinda thing. Your child will be fine at Barnard, and will be safe in the surrounding neighborhood.

Clissold is not a recommendation. Too much tension. The school is slowly becoming all black.

I WILL recommend Kellogg, Sutherland, Mt. Greenwood, and Cassell with NO reservations.

[ajolotl]

Interesting. I know quite a few people in Beverly who swear by Clissold. Anyhow, who knows. The most I can say is that the K-8's I've mentioned attract many people both black and white who have many other options. Morgan Park High School (the public one, not Academy) and Barnard do not attract whites, but blacks seem to think they're ok.

[ajolotl]

Right, good compared to Julian up the street, or Robeson. Doesn't say much though.

Originally Posted by deechee

I would say that Morgan Park is a good school. It is why many people fake addresses and such JUST to get their kids in. I would never say it's a bad school. What I will say is that some of the kids there are not the kind I'd want around my children, but hey, you win some, you lose some. Don't be scared of MP, just skeptical.

[deechee]

Originally Posted by ajolotl

Interesting. I know quite a few people in Beverly who swear by Clissold. Anyhow, who knows. The most I can say is that the K-8's I've mentioned attract many people both black and white who have many other options. Morgan Park High School (the public one, not Academy) and Barnard do not attract whites, but blacks seem to think they're ok.

Very true. I do not understand why whites are not attracted. Maybe because Vincennes is the border b/w whiteville and blackville

Originally Posted by ajolotl

Right, good compared to Julian up the street, or Robeson. Doesn't say much though.

Ughhh! Just the mention of Julian! I would never put Julian and Morgan Park in the same sentence. Have you ever heard of a good IB program at Julian?

[susie creamcheese]

I grew up in Oak Park and I think you'd feel right at home. Not only do they have a sizeable Black population, but also an African-American bookstore, as well as many cultural activities that most suburbs cannot offer. The only drawback is the price of housing, as well as high taxes. If you lived in the South Loop, perhaps you have the money to afford it, though, so I would definitely check it out. River Forest is also a great option. It's right next to OP and the schools are some of the best in the state.

[oldhousegirl]

Yeah, I agree with Beverly as an option. North Beverly is beautiful. But here we go again with the whole CPS issue once you get to high school. I hate to not mention my perennial fav of Flossmoor because of your earlier stips of not a changing type place. But it is truly an outstanding and lovely place to live. I loved living there. Wish you well.

And, if you ever do get a hankering to pick up and leave the Chicago area like we did, consider Ga. Surprisingly integrated, "cheap", beautiful homes, reasonable taxes, but definitely not Chicago with its sense of neighborhoods, walkability, etc. But then again, what is? Also used to live in Arizona - met some of the most welcoming people of all ethnicities. Not too many AA's, but nice. I think there were 10 black kids in my son's elementary school of about 400.

[CarolL]

Originally Posted by Chicagoexpat

Moving from South Loop Chicago to the suburbs. We love the South Loop - there is diversity, culture, activities, but no yard space or privacy. We are a mid/upper income black family with small children. We would like to move to a diverse area that's no too bad of a commute to Chicago, but can't seem to pinpoint one. ... Also don't want to move to an area that is currently mixed but is experiencing "flight". Also, schools and extra curricular activities are important. Any suggestions?

Oak Park. Easy commute. Good schools; about 30+ percent minorities. Diverse. Has had plans in place for 40 years to restrain flight yet has kept up property values and school system.