North shore suburbs with diverse residents (Elgin, Schaumburg: fit in, neighborhood, school districts)

[SS77]

We currently live in the NW suburbs, and while we love our sub-division, we have been assigned to a sub-par school district of an adjoining suburb (I'll refrain from venting about how school boundaries are determined).


Our son will be starting 3rd grade this fall, and we'd like to move to the North Shore to enroll him in a better school district. I've read rave reviews about New Trier and Adlai Stevenson high schools (while our son is only 8, we expect our move to be long-term, and are looking ahead to high schools as well).


We have explored Winnetka, Wilmette, Northbrook and Lincolnshire. In addition to a good school district, we would love to move to a neighborhood that is somewhat diverse and generally open-minded towards other cultures (we are of Indian origin). Our young (and growing) family is able to assimilate reasonably well with all sorts of people, but we don't want to stand out either.


This will be a big decision/ big move for us and we want to set ourselves up to thrive in the suburb/ school we move into. Any perspective you can share about the schools and diversity (specifically others of Indian or Asian origin) will be very welcome and appreciated.


Many thanks in advance!

[wjj]

Originally Posted by SS77

We currently live in the NW suburbs, and while we love our sub-division, we have been assigned to a sub-par school district of an adjoining suburb (I'll refrain from venting about how school boundaries are determined).


Our son will be starting 3rd grade this fall, and we'd like to move to the North Shore to enroll him in a better school district. I've read rave reviews about New Trier and Adlai Stevenson high schools (while our son is only 8, we expect our move to be long-term, and are looking ahead to high schools as well).


We have explored Winnetka, Wilmette, Northbrook and Lincolnshire. In addition to a good school district, we would love to move to a neighborhood that is somewhat diverse and generally open-minded towards other cultures (we are of Indian origin). Our young (and growing) family is able to assimilate reasonably well with all sorts of people, but we don't want to stand out either.


This will be a big decision/ big move for us and we want to set ourselves up to thrive in the suburb/ school we move into. Any perspective you can share about the schools and diversity (specifically others of Indian or Asian origin) will be very welcome and appreciated.


Many thanks in advance!

I would add to your list the Lake County side of Buffalo Grove. Many Asians have been moving into the area for quite some time driven by Stevenson. The Lake County side of BG is now close to 25% Asian. We have been in BG for 30 years and the change form a heavily Jewish area to a significantly Asian area has been remarkable. We are neither - just observing the demographic changes. Great place to raise a family.

[sfcambridge]

I completely agree with Buffalo Grove.

In fact, I have Indian family friends who are in the process of moving to Buffalo Grove right now out of their previous NW suburb because of blatant, awful discrimination going on at their child's school.

Their child is in first grade, and has faced teasing, exclusion, Trump quotes thrown in her face from other young children, who clearly get taught this somewhere. There has also been poor assistance in shutting this down from teachers/principal despite parental involvement. This is the first grade....... This is a darling child. A sweet and loving child .... yet innocent no longer.

Buffalo Grove is very diverse, great schools, good proportion of Indians. And a little more affordable than some of the other places you are considering.

[ToriaT]

Buffalo Grove or Deerfield

[damba]

Originally Posted by ToriaT

Buffalo Grove or Deerfield

DF would be fine, and very accepting compared to where the OP currently resides, but in all honesty there are few south asians in the schools here. A handful. It just depends on what they are looking for precisely.

[4122]

Buffalo Grove is the only place I would recommend out of the places you're looking at. You should look at Vernon hills. It's more diverse than Buffalo Grove. The high school is ranked very well.
May I ask what area your child went to school in?

[amd555]

What about the other way, Hershey and Prospect Areas?

[SS77]

Thank you all for your responses - the feedback is much appreciated. Thus far, we have narrowed our options to the Stevenson and New Trier school districts (based on what we have read and heard). Within those districts, we like the "feel" of both Lincolnshire and Winnetka, but are unsure about how comfortably we'd be able to integrate. Forgive me for invoking stereotypes, but we are more comfortable around families that are "grounded" (regardless of their economic background). I guess there's no polite way to have this discussion.


4122 - Sure. We live in Hoffman Estates, but have been assigned the Elgin School District. The elementary school my son attends is quite good; however, our neighbors have aired quite a bit of dissatisfaction regarding the middle and high school (supported by the Illinois Report Card).


AMD555 - We haven't really considered the suburbs you mentioned. Our focus has been more on the Stevenson and New Trier school districts.

[sfcambridge]

Families that are "grounded"? Maybe you should explain...

[GoCUBS1]

Originally Posted by SS77

Thank you all for your responses - the feedback is much appreciated. Thus far, we have narrowed our options to the Stevenson and New Trier school districts (based on what we have read and heard). Within those districts, we like the "feel" of both Lincolnshire and Winnetka, but are unsure about how comfortably we'd be able to integrate. Forgive me for invoking stereotypes, but we are more comfortable around families that are "grounded" (regardless of their economic background). I guess there's no polite way to have this discussion.


4122 - Sure. We live in Hoffman Estates, but have been assigned the Elgin School District. The elementary school my son attends is quite good; however, our neighbors have aired quite a bit of dissatisfaction regarding the middle and high school (supported by the Illinois Report Card).


AMD555 - We haven't really considered the suburbs you mentioned. Our focus has been more on the Stevenson and New Trier school districts.

Be careful on relying too heavily on general school stats (affected by various demographics and programs that may or may not affect your child) and the never-ending word on the street that Stevenson and New Trier are the only places to be... What does your child need? How does your child fit in to the environment? Stevenson/New Trier are great but not the only game in town. Who knows - maybe a move across the street to Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg, or Barrington school systems (all fed by Hoffman Estates) could be a good fit for your child, and offer the diversity you seek. Maybe there are some other good choices besides New Trier and Stevenson...

Having lived/worked in all the towns listed here, I have no idea what you mean by "grounded."