Need help: Deciding which school disctrict is the best for kids with special needs in Chicago Suburbs (Aurora: renting, buying a house)

[eagleswings]

My son will be attending Pre-K Early Childhood in September 2010 and we desperately need help in deciding which school districts have great systems and supports for children with special needs.

My son is diagnosed with Spina Bifida. Although, he is functioning well despite having that diagnosis, we still want to enroll him in a school district where he is well supported and loved.

So far, we are thinking about Barrington or Arlington Heights. Can anyone please help us? Thanks in advance.

[ihynes]

I lived in Wheaton for 1-1/2 years, and although I found the town too stuffy and conservative for my tastes, the public school (Wiesbrook) was top notch. My son needed a speech therapist in first grade, and they are a small school, so they moved quickly and efficiently, and the therapist was friendly and got the job done.

[cohdane]

NSSED works with several north shore school districts. SEDOL works with schools in the Northwest suburbs. Since they know/see the various schools and districts, they might have a better basis of comparison from which to give a recommendation.

As you know, every special needs kid is different, so a great district for one type of kid might be a weak district for another. The above organizations will have insight into which districts offer which programs/facilities.

GOOD LUCK!!

PS. If you're planning on buying a house in the district, think about RENTING instead. If the programs change* or your sons needs change (or you hear about a better program elsewhere), it will be easier to pull up roots and follow the services.

*Very likely in economically hard times.

[threecats407]

I can't say for sure but I know the Glenview schools are outstanding in every way. I would think that would extend to special needs

[acdevane]

Naperville - Indian Prairie School Dist 204 has an outstanding program -

Crouse Education Center
780 Shoreline Drive
Aurora, IL 60504

Main Office Phone
630.375.3000

They don't advertise it much, and try to keep it low key. But, I have clients that have a daughter who participates in the program and couldn't be happier with the decision they made to move to Naperville because of the wonderful progress their daughter has made. They were frightened about leaving her support staff behind, but found the move was for the better.

Also, Naperville School Dist 203 is currently in the process of building their own stand alone facility as well. Projected completion is later this year.

[billiken]

When a friend of mine was in a severe car wreck as a kid that left him with brain damage, his family moved to Naperville from another suburb due to the quality of special education there. I guess he lost a lot of what he had learned through grade school, and they helped him relearn everything. He ended up at a top 10 university. Pretty incredible.

[eagleswings]

Thanks everyone for all the help. I trully appreciate it. However, here is my situation, my husband works in Schaumburg and to travel back and forth from Naperville will be too much. Does anyone know how bad the traffic is going North during rush hours?

[billiken]

The traffic sucks either way , pretty much. I can understand why you were thinking Arlington Heights.

[eagleswings]

So far, after talking to several people (parents included), I was recommended Barrington. However, I'm very interested in getting more reviews from Arlighton Heights or Buffalo Grove school districts.

Thanks

Originally Posted by billiken

The traffic sucks either way , pretty much. I can understand why you were thinking Arlington Heights.

[eagleswings]

Also would appreciate if anyone can advise on Deerfield and Lincolnshire schools as well.