Naperville North High School

I switched from a sub par school in a nearby town to Naperville North and can say that my experience there changed my life for the better. The teachers were sharp, compassionate, caring, and fair. From beginning to end, they were highly involved and supportive in the areas I was strong in, steering me in the right direction. Their involvement resulted in my pursuance and success in a career I am passionate about. I was listened to, had my skills considered, and was cared about. This made all the difference.

I'm an AP student at NNHS and have taken all of the most rigorous courses including MVC. The academics of the school are intense; most graduates say that college classes are SIMPLE in comparison to North's APs and Honors classes. NNHS is the ONLY high school taht offers MVC for dual credit with the College of Dupage, as we take MVC first semester and then ELA second semester like an actual college. For the most part teachers are very good and put a conscious effort into teaching students. While it is true that you won't get individual help unless you ask I would imagine this is true for most schools. Students are encouraged to come in before and after school AND during study halls and lunch hours to get help, so help is always readily available. It's the student's job to get help, NOT the teacher's. Of course there are some teachers who are not up to par but this is true in all schools. Generally, teachers at North are very competent. Yes drugs, alcohol, etc happen but again, it's common everywhere. It's up to the student to be aware and responsible. The policies regarding these activities are strict and fair.
--Submitted by a student

I am a current student. The main feel of North is that if you want to challenge yourself with 5-6 AP courses, you're free to do so, but the opposite is also true. There are good, rigorous AP courses and weighted courses here (MVC anyone?) but the majority of the normal courses are too watered down and easy. North should improve the normal course rigor instead of increasing the gap between the best courses and the normal courses. The teachers are helpful as long as you take initiative, but the other faculty members in the PPS office and Student Services Office can be particularly unhelpful and even rude at times even when asking politely for help. The extracurriculars are varied and excellent, giving many students to excel further in academic areas in science, mathematics, etc. This school is also beneficial since it offers many of the national olympiad exams which many schools don't offer (the AMC, AIME, USAMO series, USNCO, USNPO, USABO, etc). Naperville North is a good school for those that want a very high-quality education, but if you don't take initiative then I'm afraid no one will push you to challenge yourself enough.
--Submitted by a student

As a student, I've found the school to be less then excellent. "Regular" (i.e., not AP or Enriched) classes are extremely dull and I've noticed that teachers tend to openly dislike students who know more about their subject then the rest of the class. Discipline is lax to the point where it's sometimes very hard to concentrate in class because of the people around you spending their time being obnoxious rather then studying; in some classes, teachers simply don't have control of their students. Subs openly dislike/hate the students. Teachers tend to not help you unless you're getting a C- or worse in their class, and even then you're usually given some vague advice that doesn't exactly help and thrown back to the sharks. Yes, test scores are good (somehow), but if you're looking for a hands-on school for your kids or a positive learning environment to learn in, my advice is to go elsewhere.
--Submitted by a student

I currently attend Naperville North. I came here beginning of sophomore year. Aside of being so clique-y, the school isn't all that terrible. Everyone has various experiences; some kids have a bad time while others have a good time. The new principal is absolutely a great man who is trying to be 'hip' with us students, which is great! One REALLY bad thing though is the those in the Student Services offices need to become more helpful and NOT snap at students seeking help.
--Submitted by a student

This is a good high school with a talented faculty, a large number of whom have advanced degrees. It suffers though from a sense of complacency that prevents it from achieving its true potential. Many parents report that one of their children did well here while the other did not. As a parent, I had four through the school for all four years. The two that did the best seized upon the relationships with higher quality faculty and excelled. The two who struggled did not find enough support or adaptability to meet their needs.
--Submitted by a parent

Naperville North is an above average school. I am a student there. There are strong points yet there are also many faults. The strengths of this school include high rigor courses for the top students. However, besides that, everything else is average or below average. The normal courses are a joke. They need to have more difficulty. In addition, Naperville North is the ONLY high school in Naperville with a dance policy still. That is one of the most ridiculous and absurd policies at Naperville North. Overall, Naperville North is an above average school.
--Submitted by a student

From the perspective of a person who actually attends the school, Naperville North is completely OVERRATED. The teaching is mediocre, the regular level classes are a joke, and the administration is sickening. Unless you get in trouble constantly, the deans overtly disrespect you and overuse their powers. However, when a problem occurs, the deans do not take action or take fault when approriate. My personal advice if you are considering Naperville North as the school for your children is not to waste your time and money on a school whose sole purpose is to make money. They could care less about the students or our opinions about the educational environment. For all the money it receives and hype it gets, Naperville North is falling drastically short of its expectations.
--Submitted by a student

NNHS is an excellent school. We have one graduate and one currently attending. The class of 2008 produced graduates that have gone on to elite universities across the country. There are young people from the class of 2008 who attend MIT. NNHS students will have an incredible experience, if they make the effort. Because of its size, there are opportunities for everyone. If a student wishes to remain anonymous, out of the limelight or, uninvolved, no one will push them to the contrary. If the student makes the effort, the student will be successful. Faculty and administration is extremely interested in holistic develpoment of the student as a person, not just an athlete or academic.
--Submitted by a parent

Unfortunately, Naperville North is too large of a high school. My kids have been educated in District 203 since kindergarten. The elementary and junior high schools were excellent. However, the Administration's attitude (and unfortunately the attitude of many Faculty) is one of a 'hands off' approach. It lends itself to a 'passing the buck' mentality. Do not expect cooperation if your student has an actual problem. You will be passed through several different individuals who will somehow figure out how to move you and your student to another person. Many students are very lost 'in the shuffle.' Curriculum in science could be stronger. This school has the same problems as any high school insofar as drugs, drinking, theft, & gangs. Somehow, it's kept fairly quiet by those in charge. It is no utopia.
--Submitted by a parent