Wilmette, Highland Park, or Northbrook... Best schools? (Chicago, Evanston: real estate, how much)

[ajgorby]

My family and I are in the process of moving to Chicago from Houston. I have targeted these three burbs, and wanted to get some thoughts on the schools for these respective locations. I have two daughters (4 yr and 20 mths), so we are looking at elementary all the way thru high school. Anyway, all of these areas look to have excellent school systems. I'm curious to know if there are any key differences or advantages from one to another.

Thanks in advance for any help!

[chitown85]

They are all top rated school systems. There is very little difference for elementary and junior high. The high schools are somewhat different, but still all highly rated. Highland Park HS and Glenbrook North (Northbrook) are much smaller than New Trier, which serves Wilmette. New Trier has about 4000 students and the other two have about 1600- 1700.

[chet everett]

There are some differences that to some people are minor, but to the others are the whole reason for the living in the town.

I strongly disagrees that the elementary and Jr. Highs have "very little difference", while test scores on the weak ISAT may be very close, there are very different focus / philosophy of each town toward a range of issues from special ed to gifted education to music and arts. The "low down" on the importance of each these is often hard to get until one heres how much better things are a town or two over...

The unique qualities of each town are easier to point out.

Northbrook has no access to Lake Michigan, unlike both Highland Park and Wilmette, conversely it offers the best driving access to other suburban employment centers.

There are those that will argue, with good evidence, that the unique qualities of New Trier make it the superior high school district in the region. This is not merely about test scores and AP offerings, those they rank in the top tier my these measures, but also in the forward manner with which the administration, staff, and broader community address a range of educational issues. Frankly very few people understand just how different New Trier is in the respect.


Highland Park has the distinction of having not only a very well developed and commerce friendly downtown, but also geography that lends it self to truly one-of-kind of homes and vistas. While the access to the ravines and dunes is highly restricted, that cachet extends to even the more pedestrian area of the town.


Both HP and Northbrook have reputation for having a sizable Jewish community, though I know many that believe this special character is fading, for better or worse.

Any of these towns would be an excellent choice for those with the means to choose to call them home.

[chitown85]

Originally Posted by chet everett

There are some differences that to some people are minor, but to the others are the whole reason for the living in the town.

I strongly disagrees that the elementary and Jr. Highs have "very little difference", while test scores on the weak ISAT may be very close, there are very different focus / philosophy of each town toward a range of issues from special ed to gifted education to music and arts. The "low down" on the importance of each these is often hard to get until one heres how much better things are a town or two over...

The unique qualities of each town are easier to point out.

Northbrook has no access to Lake Michigan, unlike both Highland Park and Wilmette, conversely it offers the best driving access to other suburban employment centers.

There are those that will argue, with good evidence, that the unique qualities of New Trier make it the superior high school district in the region. This is not merely about test scores and AP offerings, those they rank in the top tier my these measures, but also in the forward manner with which the administration, staff, and broader community address a range of educational issues. Frankly very few people understand just how different New Trier is in the respect.


Highland Park has the distinction of having not only a very well developed and commerce friendly downtown, but also geography that lends it self to truly one-of-kind of homes and vistas. While the access to the ravines and dunes is highly restricted, that cachet extends to even the more pedestrian area of the town.


Both HP and Northbrook have reputation for having a sizable Jewish community, though I know many that believe this special character is fading, for better or worse.

Any of these towns would be an excellent choice for those with the means to choose to call them home.

What difference does it make whether or not there is a sizable Jewish community as to the quality of the schools as opposed to any other group or lack thereof?

[hsw]

Schools all make up their silly little test scores; would compare % of kids who enter top 5 colleges to gain sense of real-world bottom line among HS

And in any urban region would want to reside in area where high-powered young families choose to reside...and figure out schools where they send their kids, public or private

In Houston, would examine where top young execs or founders at Centaurus Energy or major oil&gas cos. live/send their kids

And in Chic, would emulate where top execs or founders at Citadel or GoldmanSachs or BDT live/send their kids

Suspect answer is clearly Winnetka for Chic (at least in suburbs, as most of elite live in GoldCst or LincolnPk)

HP and Nbrook have a less-well-educated, small business owner/middle-manager ethos (and in case of HP, is an "ethnic" Jewish ghetto, sort of like OakBrook is an ethnic Asian ghetto, no matter how high the alleged net worth)

[reppin_the_847]

LMAO!!! hsw you're f'in ridiculous at times! I understand that Oak Brook has probably a 10% Asian population (and probably most of those are Asian-Indian doctors), and Highland Park clearly has a very large chunk of Jewish-Americans (many in the finance, law & medical professions). But there's no way that either of these communities could be called a "ghetto", LOL! If anything, West Rogers Park & maybe Skokie was at time more reminiscent of one for both of these ethnic groups. At least in Oak Brook, I'm pretty sure it's still majority Caucasian. In Highland Park, obviously it's a majority Caucasian town, but I'm not sure what percentage is actually Jewish, although I'm sure it's very significant. But to call either of these towns a ghetto is ridiculous. 'hsw", there's more to this world than Goldman Sachs (NYC), Citadel (Chicago), and a bunch of hedge funds in Greenwich, Connecticut, lol! And it's not a pre-req to attend an Ivy League college to be "relevant". I don't think there are Jewish gangs roaming Highland Park & Asian gangs roaming the streets of Oak Brook looking to shoot each other up over drugs, money & territory. I think you need a reality check.

And hsw, how come when someone calls you out (which many people have), you NEVER respond to them? Perhaps because you are wrong? I'd like to see you respond to me. Thanks!

To answer the OP's question, I think that all three are excellent choices of communities to reside in. Like previous posters mentioned, New Trier is a much larger school than Highland Park HS or Glenbrook North. Wilmette is also considerably closer to the downtown Chicago Loop, if you are commuting to the city for work, so I'd definitely take that into account. Schools in all three communities appear to be very highly ranked. Northbrook's real estate scene seems a bit more McMansion like and classic suburban, whereas Highland Park & Wilmette have that older, lake shore feel with plenty of trees. The suburbs on the shore have a way of feeling like the first suburbs to sprout north of the city. Wilmette would put you next door to the bustling city of Evanston, which has a fantastic movie theater, and is heavily influenced by Northwestern University. All three towns have Metra rail connections to the city (Wilmette has CTA in addition to Metra). Northbrook is closer to the Lake-Cook Road suburban job corridor at the border of Northbrook & Deerfield.

Originally Posted by hsw

Schools all make up their silly little test scores; would compare % of kids who enter top 5 colleges to gain sense of real-world bottom line among HS

And in any urban region would want to reside in area where high-powered young families choose to reside...and figure out schools where they send their kids, public or private

In Houston, would examine where top young execs or founders at Centaurus Energy or major oil&gas cos. live/send their kids

And in Chic, would emulate where top execs or founders at Citadel or GoldmanSachs or BDT live/send their kids

Suspect answer is clearly Winnetka for Chic (at least in suburbs, as most of elite live in GoldCst or LincolnPk)

HP and Nbrook have a less-well-educated, small business owner/middle-manager ethos (and in case of HP, is an "ethnic" Jewish ghetto, sort of like OakBrook is an ethnic Asian ghetto, no matter how high the alleged net worth)

[Anthera]

Originally Posted by hsw

And in Chic, would emulate where top execs or founders at Citadel or GoldmanSachs or BDT live/send their kids

Suspect answer is clearly Winnetka for Chic (at least in suburbs, as most of elite live in GoldCst or LincolnPk)

This is part is correct, though there are also several GS managers in Kenilworth.

[yourpalincal]

I strongly reccomend the Northbrook schools. Very nice system with small class sizes and friendly kids and teachers. One of the best high schools in Illinois (Glenbrook North) and is a FANTASTIC city.

[cohdane]

Regarding the size of New Trier: Some people view it as a positive, some as a negative. A lot of people just don't "like" the idea of a massive school.

However, the advantage is it has a student population large enough to support every academic interest, extracurricular interest and social group preference. Truly "something for everyone." Since your kids are still young, it may be hard to see where they're headed. Being in the New Trier District ensures that when they hit high school, there will be programs and friends to fit their preferences.

A little diversity (and I don't just mean race or religion, I mean a real stew of backgrounds) never hurts either.

By the way, I'm not in the New Trier District. Just letting you know the good side of HUGE.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by yourpalincal

One of the best high schools in Illinois (Glenbrook North) and is a FANTASTIC city.

Glenbrook North will always be notorious for the brutal hazing that was caught on video in 2003. Is that really the environment you want your kids to be exposed to?

CNN.com - Initiation turned hazing investigated - May. 7, 2003