Any Good Public Schools in Evergreek Pk., Mt. Greenwood and Oak Lawn? (Chicago: buying a house, neighborhood)

[Mrs.Zen]

My husband and I don't even have children yet but we're thinking of buying a house in one of these areas. The discussions on public schools that I've been looking at on here are freaking me out, so I'm wondering if there are any good public schools in these areas (Evergreen Park, Mount Greenwood, Oak Lawn)? Also, maybe Beverly. Thanks!

[west lawn kid]

I currently attend school in the area, and from what I have been told by my friends and their parents is that the publics schools in Mt. Geenwood and Evergreen park are very low standard, which is why a large portion of famalies sends their kids to the local Roman Catholic grade schools. While Oak lawn has some very good public schools but a fair portion of famalies from Oak Lawn sends their kids to Catholic Schools as well.

[ajolotl]

In Beverly Sutherland and Clissold are quite good (both K-8 I think). Kellog might be ok also, not sure. It's in the middle of what's essentially a gated community (North Beverly) with pretty expensive homes, so I doubt it's awful. There are a few extremely good magnet schools in Mt. Greenwood. Not sure about the non-competitive public schools there, though.

[Mrs.Zen]

Thanks for your help! What are the average tuitions of Catholic schools?

[fusillirob1983]

If you're limited to living in one of those 4 areas, I would go with public schools for EP or Oak Lawn. They should be fine. You can do better in other suburbs (i.e. western or northern suburbs). I would say you're probably not getting your kids a better education than the Catholic schools and the public schools are pretty safe. I can't really attest to the Chicago public schools in the area.

[west lawn kid]

The avreage tuition for a catholic grade school is about three thousand dollars a year, but catholic high school is much more expensive, for example at Brother Rice on 99th and Pulaski, its about eight thousand dollars a year, but it's one of the best schools in Chicago. If you want to send your kids to a public school you should stick with Oak Lawn. Evergreen Park has pretty good grade schools but Evergreen Park High has a reputation for low quality education and race riots.

[ajolotl]

I'll be a little more specific regarding Beverly. In Beverly St. Barnabas on 101st and Longwood is the most sought after parochial school. It is well regarded and has students not just from the neighborhood but also places like Hyde Park, Hindsdale, etc. The location is beautiful and the reputation is very good. That is all I can attest to. I have heard tuition is like 4-5K/year.

The public school Sutherland also has a very nice neighborhood setting up the hill and is the top choice for people who want a public school for whatever reason. This includes many people with plenty of money who have other choices. Many families who move to Beverly are looking foremost to be in the Sutherland district.

Beyond that there are many other choices, but those are the top two.

The public non-magnet high school situation is bleak. There are many very good private choices, though, and Ag is considered very good in Mt. Greenwood if you can get in.

[west lawn kid]

Originally Posted by ajolotl

...The public non-magnet high school situation is bleak. There are many very good private choices, though, and Ag is considered very good in Mt. Greenwood if you can get in.

The ag is an average school at best, and its not a magnet school. I really doubt you have to try to get in there, a lot of Mt. Greenwood residents try to avoid sending there kids there, it's an agricultural school for Gods sake!

Go to this site, it should help you out: Chicago Communities -- chicagotribune.com

[ajolotl]

Ok, it's the one I know least about. I could be wrong. But everything I've heard around Mt. Greenwood is the opposite. Maybe I misunderstood and the residents are complaining that they want the school to be for them and not outside students. I don't know what you call it but admission is not based on the zone where you live. It is open to all of Chicago.

Originally Posted by west lawn kid

The ag is an average school at best, and its not a magnet school. I really doubt you have to try to get in there, a lot of Mt. Greenwood residents try to avoid sending there kids there, it's an agricultural school for Gods sake!

Go to this site, it should help you out: Chicago Communities -- chicagotribune.com

[ajolotl]

By the way, Keller Gifted is the highly regarded K-8 magnet in Mt. Greenwood. I know someone who goes there and a few others who go to Lenart Gifted not too far away (in the hood but very good also).