Adlai E Stevenson High School

This is a school meant only for superachievers. If you are an average student or less, you will not thrive here. You will get lost in the crowd and quickly slip through the cracks. We have had 2 students go through Stevenson and a third attending now. Their experiences have been similar. All of our kids were in sports until high school when none of them made any teams because they were not "good enough". So much for the high school sporting experience. We also have a kid with ADHD who had an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) in place. They tried, but the accountability between student, school and parents was not adequate and accessibility to the teachers/deans was limited and solutions to problems untimely. At the end of the day, the school has a great reputation, but the experience is far less glamorous and incredibly intimidating for the kids. We are considering moving to smaller school district with a more personal touch and better athletic opportunities for our 2 younger kids currently at the elementary level. Yes, we would sell our home to move one town over just to change schools as Stevenson is just not all that it's reputation suggests.
--Submitted by a parent

I think that while all of the former reviews are true, there are key parts of the "Stevenson experience" which slipped their minds. First, this school is so impersonal, due to it's size, that you shouldn't expect your college counselor to even know your name, let alone you interests, preferences, or direction in life. Furthermore, the school has very poor report with ivy league schools, and admission rates, in relation to the quality of applicants, is downright embarrassing. If your child wants to go to a big 10 school, thats a whole different story. But for those interested in Art schools, you're on your own. Stevenson's plan is to push mediocre kids through so that they can get into a state school of an equal level of mediocrity. Good luck to any one who's plan differs; you're in for a ride.

Great academic opportunities. Small class sizes considering large size of school. Very high percentage of students go to college- many entering with large amounts of AP credit. Deserves to be rewarded for achieving such excellence.
--Submitted by a parent

It shows excellence in every way from excurricular activities to sports to academics! Stevenson is a beautiful modern school with exceptionally disciplined and talented kids.
--Submitted by a student

The staff and teachers here are not very helpful at times.
--Submitted by a parent

The teachers are dedicated, and most of them have masters degrees in their subject. That, of course, means that there are so many different opportunities, no matter what you want to do with your education. This school is definitely one of the best.
--Submitted by a student

This is the best high school in the country. There is no doubt about that. It allows kids of all learning levels succeed. Everyone at Stevenson is involved in at least one thing at school, whether it be a club, a sport, or just helping kids out in GIVE or KEY club.
--Submitted by a parent

I have 3 sons at this school and all of them are very happy with the education they are recieving and we are very impressed with teh quality of teachers and the programs they have at this school. I would highly recommend any parent to sent thier kid to this school.
--Submitted by a parent

I graduated many years ago from Stevenson and now am a teacher myself. To sit in staff meetings and have principals refer to SHS as a model school, well.. it is amazing. Stevenson made college seem like a breeze, and as a teaher, I'm proud to say I came from such a well known school. Although the teachers and student population have changed, I have not met a highschool that prepares it's students as well for the real world as Stevenson. Thank You!
--Submitted by a student

Stevenson is amazing! Everybody always says that it's too big or that it's too hard and at first it may seem that way, but it really isn't. After spending several months at Stevenson, it seems quite small in size actually. At first, you feel a lot of pressure academically because it is so different from middle school. The teachers are very helpful with this and are usually more than happy to help you out. It is an amazing opportunity to be able to go to Stevenson and I think that in the end, it is going to give me so much more for my future than I could recieve any where else.
--Submitted by a student