North Barrington Elementary School

North Barrington, as evidenced by the overwhelming community approval, middle- and high school preparedness and test scores, is an outstanding school. My daughter has attended schools in nationally ranked districts outside of Illinois and NBS is on par with those schools in terms of opportunities, services and curriculum. It seems as though there is a very small, loud group of parents who are unhappy that students from the lower income sections of the district are getting the opportunity to join our school community. I hope that those few squeaky wheels won't deter families considering NBS.
--Submitted by a parent

If there is a behavioral or 'bad' kid in District 220 Elementary Schools (identified with an IEP), they are sent to North Barrington School. This special education program moved to NBS a few years ago. Students come all the way from Carpentersville (Sunny Hill School). The district busses students to this school from the entire District 220 area. I'm all for special education and the diversity that it provides the students. However, mainstream children need to be 'trained' on how to cope and deal with these various behavoiral issues and that has not yet happened.
--Submitted by a parent

Absolutely the worst school to send your child to. Overcrowding in classrooms is causing lack of attention to students. Principals concept on bullying is delusional. Her Boys will be boys attitude on bullying makes me think that she actually supports this type of activity. We all want safety for our children and I just don't feel safe sending my child there. Also cleaning up the school and practicing safe hygeine is not number one on schools priority. Some teachers are great but some teachers need to be let go with their principal. Do some research before sending your child there.
--Submitted by a parent

This is an outstanding school. As shown by test scores and national rankings, this is a very high-achieving school. I think the previous negative review might be a reflection of one child's difficulty keeping up. The staff at NB bends over backwards to ensure EVERY child has the resources needed. I have both a "gifted program" child and a 504 child in this school, and both are equally valued and provided for.
--Submitted by a parent

To give you perspective on parents and teachers, the PTO runs a charity auction annually that regularly raises five-figure amounts for the school - with past donations including electronic "smart-boards" and playground equipment, and with teachers donating quite a bit of their time. There is definitely a tight knit and medium-sized (40 or so) group of active PTO / parent / room-parent participants, but keep in mind that most parents both work, so not a surprise. School night events (plays, movie nights, etc.) are well attended and the teachers take extra time to participate. Even the janitorial staff are supportive. In terms of the dual language immersion (spanish, chinese), it's not for everyone, but every grade school in District 220 has at least one class since it rotates each year - those parents with kids in it LOVE it, and the spanish classes have sufficient native-speakers. Testing is important and done well. The facilities are well maintained. The principal is active and visible. We are very happy there, and we hear very few complaints. Special needs issues are dealt with (our child received speech services).
--Submitted by a parent

The attention to detail of my child's learning and the encouragement of parental involvement is great.
--Submitted by a parent

I could not diagree more with the previous comment. My daughter will be graduating from fifth grade and has attended North Barrington since kindergarten. The teaching staff is excellent and the gifted program is exceptional. I don't understand the previous comment stating that 'the only thing that matters here is testing'. This has not been my experience in the ten years that my children have attended this school. My child is sad to be leaving, as all of my children were.
--Submitted by a parent

How things change in just a few years. The school has great resources, but the only thing that matters here is testing. There is so little content in the program- science and social studies, especially. We spent 5 years fighting to get one child special services because the district didn't want to pay to even do the testing. Meanwhile, we're losing staff across this district due to budget restraints and a very poorly thought-out dual language program that takes more space and money than it should- to the detriment of the other kids. Parents can be nasty, here, and the volunteer pool is too small, as a result. Every year is worse than the next. Can't wait to leave, and have heard many people say the same thing. Test scores- great. Attitude, learning and fun- horrible.
--Submitted by a parent

We had an excellent experience while my children attended North Barrington School. Most teachers were caring and compassionate and individually connected to teaching each student. The gifted program (pull out) was exceptional.
--Submitted by a parent

My children became a part of the NBS family in 2000. We had just moved from Singapore and a British International school. From the first day, the children as well as my husband and myself have been made welcome. Any time there was a question, the children's teachers (that's true for all of them), Dr Cross (the principal) or other staff (including office staff and the nurse!) were there to answer and help. As parent involvement is rated very highly at NBS, I was very soon deeply involved and made lots of friends, not just amongst the other parents but also the staff. We have now returned to the UK and both the children have no problem whatsoever fitting in. On the contrary, they are eduactionally far ahead to a point I have to supplement their education. Noth Barrington School is a positive experience all around!
--Submitted by Elke Landon, a parent