Lincoln-Way East High School

I'm a graduate of St. Rita High School in Chicago, Illinois. I've had 3 sons graduate from East and it is a first class school: academically; socially; and, filled with educational and social activities that you can't imagine. If you're a student and can't succeed at East, you've got some kind of problem that is unique to you. Great school; great administration; great faculty; great sports programs; great extracurriculer activities. Happy to talk with anyone about the school. john petrulis 708-995-5752
—Submitted by a parent

during the latest Newsweek ranking of the best high schools in America, LWE was ranked in the top 500. Very few schools from Illinois made this cut and this assessment was made based on multiple criteria. There's certainly an emphasis on student success. Communication with parents is top knotch. I'm impressed with the curriculum for "potentially gifted" students. I'd like to see a better effort towards career development and the development of comprehensive career pathways.
—Submitted by a parent

After 6 years in this system we found there to be a profound lack of leadership,poor quality of teaching and an inability to connect with and protect vulnerable students.There also seems to be a gross misunderstanding of basic disciplinary tools and technique.The atmosphere condoned by this administration harbors a perfect breeding ground for unbridled student harassment.
—Submitted by a parent

You can't match this school when it comes to teachers and staff that care about the educational needs of the students.
—Submitted by a parent

To sum all this up, families have moved to the Frankfort area just so their children can attend Lincoln-Way East HS.

Average rating for an average school. Although there is tremendous community pride, and anyone who lives by this school will tell you it is one of the best.......but does not rank in the Chicago Sun Times top 50 or US News and World Report top public schools. With an average ACT score of 21.9 that barely makes the ACT's College Readiness Benchmarks. Very strict school, but a decent average education.
—Submitted by a parent

Its a great school with tons of opportunity. However, as a minority I can say racial tension is high and divides the schools atmosphere.
—Submitted by a student

I attended LWE and graduated in 2006. Now that I'm at college and my friends and I compare high school experiences, I realize how lucky I am to have attended LWE.

Great school! Great teachers, just a shame about some of the choices the administrators and higher ups make.
—Submitted by a student

I can understand the high ratings for Lincoln-Way East; academically, the school is excellent. However, I have to say that hardly everyone loves Lincoln-Way East. There are endless AP and honors classes, various extracurriculars, and thousands of students to meet, but there is a stifling competitive attitude. A vast majority of the students are white and priviledged, which doesn't make much room for diversity. At times the discipline system is so strict it verges on ridiculous. Most of all, the school is so overpopulated students are nearly busting out the windows. Childern should be ready to be kicked, pushed, and stepped on in the hallways...not so pleasant. Hopefully, all of these things (less the lack of diversity) will improve for students during the 2008-2009 schoolyear.
—Submitted by a student

We have been thrilled with the quality of education, music and atheletics at LWE. There is state recognized excellence in every area, and school spirit and pride are evident in LWE students. This school has the whole package. We home schooled our children through 8th grade because we didn't feels that public schools were generally up to par. However, LWE has far surpassed our expectations. We love the strict discipline implemented at this school which is conducive to learning. Our children have loved their high school experience, and the faculty and administration could not be more helpful or concerned with each student's education.
—Submitted by Susie Moore, a parent

great school has many activities
—Submitted by a student

The academic variety of programs is excellent, but the school seems to emphasize rules (even silly ones) more than the education itself at times, which is mildly disheartening. All in all it is a great school though.
—Submitted by a parent

[Continued from my first review post] I succesfully graduated LWE, and I am at an impressive university now, but the depression, unhappiness, and battered spirit I suffered at LWE almost seems not worth my current success. For those ecclectic students, those with free minds and spirits, those who aren't A+ achievers or football stars, and those who suffer from ADD or similar learning disabilites, I would NOT recommend LWE. It is a harsh, emotionally harmful, academically stressful, and hypocritical high school.
—Submitted by nicole, a former student

Academically the school is challenging but supportive meaning kids who need help can and will get it. Strict no tolerance discipline policy. Tons of new home developments. Crowding becoming an issue but a new school is planned. The school is experiencing some diversity with recent influx of Asian, African-American and Hispanic students but the vast majority of students (at least 93%) are Caucasian. Racial tension exists but is very low. I would caution anyone who has children currently in an underperforming school district to be careful about transferring them to LWE without plans to pay for tutoring. We have just about every extracurricular activity you can think of. Parental involvement is expected. You must be prepared to sell items, donate your time and be available to pick up your child afterschool if they participate in extracurricular activities.
—Submitted by a parent

Overall, I would rate the school very high. The administration and teachers are proactive and strongly encourage student involvement with extra-curricular activities. I believe this contributes to the overall positive experience that both parents and students alike, experience. Like any other educational institution, students will get out of this part of their educational career what they put into it. Perhaps the reason I rate this school so high is that the environment is conducive to education.
—Submitted by Stan Lukas, a parent