Relo to job in Lake Forest - what is the vibe in surrounding towns?

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by holl1ngsworth

2013 PSAE Meet/Exceed Percentage:
1.) Deerfield: 93%
2.) Stevenson: 89%
2.) New Trier: 89%

2013 Composite ACT Scores:
1.) New Trier: 27.4
2.) Deerfield: 26.5
3.) Stevenson: 26.2

2013 Per Student Expenditures:
1.) Stevenson: $27,014
2.) Deerfield: $32,616
3.) New Trier: $33,148

Anyone objectively examining the three schools can see Deerfield and Stevenson are at least on par with New Trier. Given the tax dollar efficiency of Stevenson, a good case could be made that it is indeed the best of the three schools.

Regarding this miniscule difference in school test scores: It seems to me that an ACT study guide could be a far better investment to get that one extra point on the exam than a house that costs $200,000-$400,000 more in the New Trier school district.

The reality is that YOUR kid will probably get the SAME ACT score in any of these districts, and the main difference is that New Trier just has slightly more kids who will get higher scores. The difference is a slight change in demographics, not educational quality. If you break it down by demographic group, Evanston Township is the best high school in the area.

[holl1ngsworth]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

Regarding this miniscule difference in school test scores: It seems to me that an ACT study guide could be a far better investment to get that one extra point on the exam than a house that costs $200,000-$400,000 more in the New Trier school district.

The reality is that YOUR kid will probably get the SAME ACT score in any of these districts, and the main difference is that New Trier just has slightly more kids who will get higher scores. The difference is a slight change in demographics, not educational quality. If you break it down by demographic group, Evanston Township is the best high school in the area.

Exactly...

[teachergurl]

I want to point out that the ACT scores at north shore / high achieving north suburbs are only slightly above those reported from high performing high schools in the Northwest and Western suburbs. I am skeptical that the difference in scores can really be attributed to the quality of schools. Rather, I think the extra couple of points may be a result of the private ACT tutors that families in these top tier suburbs are providing for their students.

I have been shocked to hear north shore residents comment on how how many times their kids have retaken the ACT, and how much they paid for tutors. Personally, I think every kid should take the ACT three times in one year - no more, no less. The families on the north shore really know how to work the system..