Looking for Information on Community HS in West Chicago

While I did not go there personnally I do have relatives that go there and have nothing but good things to say. My step father still works with the football program and our family knows several families that moved to the area so that there kids could go to WC high schools. In fact the head of the alumni committee moved from Wheaton so her kids could go to WC HS. Good Luck! It is not wrong to care about the future of your children.

You're not nuts for worrying about this at all! First of all, it won't be that long before your daughter will be in elementary school, time flies! Second, the school system is extremely important because it affects the resale value of your home, so in other words, it affects the return on your investment. I have a friend who's children attended an elementary school in the West Chicago system. She said it was okay, but her concern was that their were a lot of English as a Second Language children which took time away from her children. Don't get me wrong, I think diversity is important, but unless the proper resources as far as teachers are available, children who don't need as much attention don't get the extras. My friend did end up moving out of the school system to the Glen Ellyn one before her kids were done with elementary. As far as the high school, I have not heard great things. I'm sure you've checked out websites like the Illinois School Report Cards and greatschool.net, but don't be afraid to pay a visit to the school itself. Best of luck!

Congratulations on your new home.

I can't help you, but I was curious, why are you looking for information on the high school that your three year old will eventually attend when she will be attending elementary school much sooner? Schools can change so much in just a couple of years in terms of how well they are doing, or what areas they need improvement on.

I went to west chicago hs and i hated it. Don't get me wrong benjamin and evergreen are wonderful schools but I will not put my girls into that high school. The avearge freshman there can't even list off all 7 continets which your daughter if she gose to benjamin will learn in 5th grade. There were 3 gang fights in the halls my freshman year. I have since heard they have tightend security there but I graduated 2003 so I don't see how they could fix ALL of their many problems in 3 years. My girls are going to St. Frances which I have heard many wonderful things about. Good luck and welcome to the neighborhod.

Hi P.,

I live in West Chicago (5 years) and I have 1 child going through the school system. He will be at Community H.S. next fall. While WC schools may not be ranked top in the nation, they are still very good schools and what we like IS the ethnic diversity. The ESL classes are separate from the other classes, depending on the childs needs. We live in an ethnic world...why shelter our kids? While a good education is very important, it is equally important that the kids grow up balanced, not just brainy. The other thing we like is that because it is not such a white collar wealthy "rich kid" atmosphere, many of the problems (drugs, gangs etc.) that are in ALL schools across the nation are addressed much more directly and effectively, and not "swept under the carpet" so not to be a scar on our great community. I have also found that the kids are a lot more polite and respectful. We live one block from the school and have never, ever had any issues with the school or the students. Hope this helps!

I would definitely check into the elementary school first. You never know what things will change between now and the time she gets to high school (you may be able to afford private school, she may have some amazing musical talent that lands her in a school abroad, you may have moved, the districts may have changed, etc!)

Kudos to you for worrying about her education though. My main complaint here in IL is that children are placed in grade by age and not by testing. We moved from NC where she was already in kindergarten and my daughter was held back a year because of "state law" even though she is only 2 days younger than the age cut-off. Luckily we found a private school that tested her and put her in the correct grade for her ability.

It's never too early to start investigating your options, but keep in mind that things change!

P. - I live in Carol Stream and we moved here when my oldest was 6 months old. He is now 7. This has been a huge topic in our neighborhood, as we also fall into the West Chicago school district for high school. First of all, if you are in Benjamin 27 now, I wouldn't worry for elementary or middle school. They are fine schools.

While I haven't done any research on the high school myself, my neighbors have older children - and they all have. It is a frequent topic at neighborhood get-togethers. Academically, I don't think that WC is doing much worse than Glenbard West. I've heard that there are wonderful teachers and that it is a close-knit school who cares about kids. And, apparently GW isn't any dream, either.

The people that I know that have an initial reaction to it, that reaction is due primarily to a fear of being is such a diverse environment. There are a lot of lower income children in WC, as well. I have 3 neighbors that have chosen to send their kids to WCHS. Another chose Wheaton Academy, and the others ( 3 more) all go to catholic private schools, anyway. So, you can see that it is a split decision.

I honestly just think it comes down to what your expectations of a school are, what your background and beliefs are, and how important a top-notch education is for your child. If you are a person that wants a top ranked school, you are not going to get it in West Chicago. However, if you are someone who feels that your child will be successful in any decent environment, then you will do fine there, I think.

R.