School Question re Lake Forest Area; public vs private and preschools (Lake Bluff: neighborhood, preschool)

[Pcjamn1]

Hi- it is looking likely that my husband's job will take us to the Lake Forest area. Currently we are currently living overseas but we usually live in Connecticut. His place of work will be in Lake Forest and I think we are likely to settle in Lake Forest or Lake Bluff (although I have yet to make a trip to visit either of these towns. My main concern is finding the right schooling situation for my four children (I have 4). My oldest will be going into 7th grade, and she is bright but on the shy side. I am considering looking into private schools for her given this is likely to be a tough move on her. I am wondering if the public schools are so large that she may feel "lost" and if a private school might be more suitable. I also don't want her to feel left out if all of her neighbors go to the public schools!- any input on private vs. public in this neighborhood would be greatly appreciated.

Second question involves preschool for my youngest who will be 4 next August when we make our move. Is it difficult to get into preschools? What are the good preschools in the area?

Thanks very much!

[chet everett]

The avg class sizes are fairly small, as is the overall enrollment:

Interactive Illinois Report Card

Lake Bluff is quite small:

Interactive Illinois Report Card


Given that there are relatively few working moms the park district pre-schools are pretty popular. Enrollment is not an issue. If you can afford to like in those towns the choice of private vs public will largely be one of personal preference. The quality of the public schools is quite good. Social factors for parents and such tend to be factors that tip folks one way or another...

[Pcjamn1]

Thanks for your reply. couple of questions- when you say enrollment in preschools is not an issue- does that mean that it is easy to find a place in a preschool? I'm not sure what the park district is- are these town-run preschools?

When you say that social factors for parents play a role in choice of private v. public- does that mean level of parental involvement in school (or is it more about perceived social status- I don't want to get myself into a nightmare of pressure to climb the social-ladder. My concern is purely academic/social for my daughter.
thanks again!

[chet everett]

Illinois has thousands of units of local government. The Park District is a taxing body that is supposed to provide for recreational / cultural things. It is easy and well liked option:
Bright Beginnings

The social factors are mostly that -- yes, some of it is social climbing, but a lot is also related to how one remembers their childhood. If parents were happy with their experience in a religous based school or other kind of private school they tend to seek out same for their kids regardless of the quality of the public schools. The academics of the elementary / middle schools is quite good. A fair number of kids from Lake Forest go to private high schools, including residential schools out of state. These sorts of decisions are not because of dissatisfaction with the public schools...

[Pcjamn1]

Thanks, that puts it into perspective for me!