What High School - Winnetka/Hinsdale/Elmhurst

[chicagomom2]

I hope I do not get flamed, but I would also encourage you to look at less "exclusive" areas...I am a single mom, and have had 2 kids recently graduate from New Trier...it was very hard to break into this community, and I will be leaving in the next few years. IF you have time to volunteer, join a country club, etc. you will likely be welcomed...oh, and if you have a nice house, too...if not, I would also recommend looking at Glenbrook South, as Glenview is more diverse, and GBS is an excellent school...All of this is my opinion, only,of course!

[US-Traveller]

Definitely can't guarantee no bullying, but I have had a good experience with the schools in New Trier Township. Glenview has well regarded schools, but Glenview is starting to closely resemble the rest of the North Shore more and more over the years with the teardown phenominon. I would also look into Deerfield.

[marlena123]

Thank you chicagomom2 for sharing your experience. I thought that I would have to get involved to find friend. I think it is in any neighborhood - same here in Oak Lawn.

[Anthera]

Originally Posted by Gioobag

yeah, but was it hard for the kids? Doesn't the school itself drive most of the extracurriculars for HS'ers? not the community?

inquiring minds would like to know.

Good point.

[chicagomom2]

My kids did make friends, and were very involved in many activities, such as sports, music....that having been said, it still was hard, due to the lack of diversity and extreme wealth....they did feel left out in many ways, especially when it came to vacations, cars, etc.....
As for the school "driving most of the extracurriculars"....more than in many ( if not most) areas, the community Drives the school....to the point that all advisers ( New Trier lingo for homeroom teacher) make a mandatory home visit prior to sophomore year.....the school is very, very responsive to the wealthy parents whose kids attend NTHS......

[hsw]

Would rather be a less affluent, upwardly mobile social outcast in an affluent suburb than "fit in" in any middle-income or low-income area

Winnetka (or any other affluent area) is hardly monolithic; the social divides are numerous: WASP vs Jew; financial industry vs non-financial industry; wealthy vs merely high-income; young vs old; trust fund money vs self-made money, etc etc

But would argue places like Winnetka (or elite colleges like Stanford or Harvard; or elite employers like Citadel or Goldman) reaffirm that meritocracy prevails....much of biggest money in Chic (or in NYC or SF) is self-made money of well-educated, smart guys who are from middle-income origins, often Jews or Indian Americans or random white guys who didn't grow up in NYC or CA or Chic

Suspect any kid will be better prepared in life by going to school w/kids whose parents are themselves high achievers and whose kids will likely be among one's colleagues/competitors or employers (or employees) later in life, esp if one enters Darwinian industries like finance or tech

All that said, in my experience, often the lowest-profile, most unassuming guys in any wealthy area tend to be among the smartest and wealthiest; it's usually the moderately affluent in any Winnetka (who usu have mockably weak education and less prestigious careers) who "try too hard" to pretend they are relevant, ala some caricature of a Ralph Lauren Polo ad

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by hsw

Would rather be a less affluent, upwardly mobile social outcast in an affluent suburb than "fit in" in any middle-income or low-income area

Winnetka (or any other affluent area) is hardly monolithic; the social divides are numerous: WASP vs Jew; financial industry vs non-financial industry; wealthy vs merely high-income; young vs old; trust fund money vs self-made money, etc etc

But would argue places like Winnetka (or elite colleges like Stanford or Harvard; or elite employers like Citadel or Goldman) reaffirm that meritocracy prevails....much of biggest money in Chic (or in NYC or SF) is self-made money of well-educated, smart guys who are from middle-income origins, often Jews or Indian Americans or random white guys who didn't grow up in NYC or CA or Chic

Suspect any kid will be better prepared in life by going to school w/kids whose parents are themselves high achievers and whose kids will likely be among one's colleagues/competitors or employers (or employees) later in life, esp if one enters Darwinian industries like finance or tech

All that said, in my experience, often the lowest-profile, most unassuming guys in any wealthy area tend to be among the smartest and wealthiest; it's usually the moderately affluent in any Winnetka (who usu have mockably weak education and less prestigious careers) who "try too hard" to pretend they are relevant, ala some caricature of a Ralph Lauren Polo ad

There are plenty of folks in pretty "down market" communities that "live large" too. The benefits of competing with "the best" in schools does tend to make people appreciate the fact that even in affulent areas the "real deal" often do not look like something from a Robb Report ad, but are the hard working bright people that get things done without drawing attention to one's self.

In most every case it is better to surround one's self with those who value the things that also important to you. I have sold plenty of houses to people that are thrilled to move into a neighbor that "they didn't think they could afford" when I have helped them get a bargain, but I cannot recall ever having a buyer joyfully proclaim "wow this neighbor is full of more fair to middlin folks than any other". People want to move up, not merely get by...