Elmhurst Schools (Wheaton, St. Charles: homes, neighborhoods, public schools)

[promis1]

After reading numerous posts regarding Elmhurst and its schools, the question remains- are the schools overrated or are they above average for a reason. As a concerned parent of 2, I am seriously looking to move to the south end of Elmhurst- between Butterfield Rd. and St. Charles Rd. I believe my children would be attending Bryan Junior High or maybe Sandburg- And I am hoping to hear from current Elmhurst residents who have or are sending their kids to the public schools.

[Lookout Kid]

Perhaps you already know about it, but this site is a good resource showing test scores, demographics, and other information for each school.

Interactive Illinois Report Card

[InformedConsent]

Originally Posted by promis1

After reading numerous posts regarding Elmhurst and its schools, the question remains- are the schools overrated or are they above average for a reason.

They're overrated. You may be better off looking in Wheaton. Wheaton has 2 Silver Medal high schools. Elmhurst's high school didn't qualify for any of the medal levels, and also failed to qualify for Honorable Mention status.
Best High Schools Search - US News and World Report

There is at least one Wheaton school in each of the Illinois Top 50 lists (Elementary, Middle, High). This is not true of any of Elmhurst's schools.
2008 Report Cards

Elmhurst's schools may be somewhat better than average, but they're not among the best in the state. They've recently been downgraded on GreatSchools from a 10 to a 9.

[promis1]

Originally Posted by InformedConsent

They're overrated. You may be better off looking in Wheaton. Wheaton has 2 Silver Medal high schools. Elmhurst's high school didn't qualify for any of the medal levels, and also failed to qualify for Honorable Mention status.
Best High Schools Search - US News and World Report

There is at least one Wheaton school in each of the Illinois Top 50 lists (Elementary, Middle, High). This is not true of any of Elmhurst's schools.
2008 Report Cards

Elmhurst's schools may be somewhat better than average, but they're not among the best in the state. They've recently been downgraded on GreatSchools from a 10 to a 9.

Is that a rating of 9 out of 10- if so, not so bad.

[gardener34]

Bryan is the school you will attend. That is my old hood. The schools there I am sure are more than fine. I have relatives whose children attend there and they seem to like it just fine.

[US-Traveller]

Elmhurst schools are generally considered to be above average for the state, but not for the Western Suburbs. I have heard numerous complaints about the public school administration, particularly at the high school level. I would check out greatschools.net for more information.

[Mamama Mia]

Elmhurst schools are fine, it is a unit district, so the tax structure is different than other high school only districts in the western suburbs.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by InformedConsent

Elmhurst's schools may be somewhat better than average, but they're not among the best in the state. They've recently been downgraded on GreatSchools from a 10 to a 9.

WOW! A 10 to a 9. I'd definitely avoid this dump then. Your kids will turn out to be gangbangers, serial killers or perhaps both.

The south end of Elmhurst would be Bryan Jr. High. I went there myself. I'd say it's still a good school system judging from test scores. That part of Elmhurst is also nice, though the large McMansions which are now mixed in with the old '50s wood frame homes have definitely taken their toll on the curb appeal of the neighborhoods there, IMHO. I may be biased because I remember what it was but some of these homes are huge, and just don't seem to blend in.

[Prairie]

Living in Elmhurst and having raised a son through the public school system I can attest the schools are great. With that said, I must also qualify the statement and tell you that our last involvement with the school system was 13 years ago.

More importantly something I hope every parent will remember, high-test scores/grades are not an indication that your child will be successful in life. They have to have drive and self-discipline and that is not something taught in school.

You as a parent must involve your children and expose them to as much as you can in the form of outside education. Socialization skills are also important and you want a good environment because your children will be with other (hopefully) like-minded parents with the same moral integrity. Elmhurst IMHO is a good choice for all the things I mentioned.