Is bullying as rampant everywhere as in the north burbs? (Chicago: public schools, moving)

[Markomalley]

Hi everyone-
My family and I are moving from out of state to the Chicago area. I have been looking on greatschools.net to check out schools, especially junior high schools, for my kids. The reviews for the schools in the northern burbs (Wilmette, Winnetka, etc) almost all list bullying as a huge problem. My son is small, slight and quiet, and I am very concerned. I am working up north and my wife is working in Chicago, so we have to find a northern burb in between. Any suggestions on where to look? Is this problem overblown or as bad as it sounds fromn these parent reviews?!

[gardener34]

My son is also small - he takes martial arts - no problems Perhaps your son would be interested in something like that? It is great for self confidence and discipline.

I hope bullying is not an issue in the schools up there - everyone says how great they all are on the north shore.

[Markomalley]

Great idea-he is not very athletic, so that might work!

[bulldawg1594]

wilmette and winnekta are probalby both in the top richest cities. if there is bullying there, there is probably bullying everywhere else.

[chitown85]

I think it's common among all junior high school students. Unfortunately, it's part of growing up, but I don't foresee it being a huge deal. You can always talk to the school if such a problem arises.

[thePR]

There's bullying everywhere.

[tribecavsbrowns]

Originally Posted by Markomalley

Hi everyone-
My family and I are moving from out of state to the Chicago area. I have been looking on greatschools.net to check out schools, especially junior high schools, for my kids. The reviews for the schools in the northern burbs (Wilmette, Winnetka, etc) almost all list bullying as a huge problem. My son is small, slight and quiet, and I am very concerned. I am working up north and my wife is working in Chicago, so we have to find a northern burb in between. Any suggestions on where to look? Is this problem overblown or as bad as it sounds fromn these parent reviews?!

Did you consider that parents in New Trier, because of the class they belong to, might complain about bullying more?

[jamaicabound60565]

I agree with the previous poster, the more upscale the suburb the more parental involvement you get. It's a good thing b/c schools where the parents care make more successful students but you do get some "helicopter parents" who just get way over involved in every aspect of their kids life and I think thats why you hear more complaints about bullying at these schools. Probably also true of Naperville and simlar suburbs

[It'sAutomatic]

Teach him to fight the first kid who messes with him, tell him you won't be mad if gets in trouble for it, and problem solved.

[Rlest8]

Originally Posted by jamaicabound60565

I agree with the previous poster, the more upscale the suburb the more parental involvement you get. It's a good thing b/c schools where the parents care make more successful students but you do get some "helicopter parents" who just get way over involved in every aspect of their kids life and I think thats why you hear more complaints about bullying at these schools. Probably also true of Naperville and simlar suburbs

Very true. All four of my kids have gone through the Winnetka public schools. They take bullying very seriously there. Some of the stuff you read online about the schools here is written by parents with unrealistic expectations. As another poster said, unfortunately it goes on everywhere, it is a product of the age for some kids. The martial arts suggestions is a great one. Good luck, it's lovely here.