Naperville North High School

I wouldn't read to much into reviews from current students. Of course they are going to be upset about small things. They aren't able to appreciate what a good school North is while they're still students. I graduated in 2008 with good but not great grades, and was very prepared for college. A lot of my college classmates struggled during their freshman year because they weren't used to the difficulty and the course-load, but I found that my freshman classes were (for the most part) no more challenging than high school. So there was no big adjustment for me (this was at a top 25 public university). On top of the academics, North has a great faculty, and tons of events to keep the students happy and engaged. After talking with college friends about our high school experience, I fully realize what a great school North is.

It'd be great if not for the subtle racism and lack of discipline for the unruly students. There's an untrustworthy cop. If one kid is sitting on the floor near their locker during lunch time, their told to find a seat even if there aren't any seats available yet if he sees multiple kids doing the same thing, he just ignores it. He also gives the evil eye to innocent kids for no reason (to clarify I graduated this place in 2009, he may not be there anymore). On Graduation Day, a white kid was allowed to wear their robe inside, but a non-white kid was asked to take their robe off before setting foot inside the school. I can honestly say that I have been harassed and the teachers while fully aware of it yet most of them did nothing but stand by and let it happen. Most of the classes are okay though. Not good, but not horrible either.

I was a student that studied at Naperville North from freshman to junior year and then moved to another high school of slightly higher rankings (at least by US news). From my experience, I can tell you that Naperville North is by far one of the best schools for Math and Science. The teachers there are top-notch and the students there are as well. To give an example, we often beat IMSA (Illinois MATH and Science Academy) in our Math team. Also note that some of IMSA's Math team students orginally came from Naperville North. Naperville North also offers a variety of AP and honors courses. In comparison to the other "supposedly" better high school I studied at, the AP and Honors courses at North was much much more challenging. Rigorous courses like Calc BC and MVC will prepare students well for the college courseload. For example, I received an C in Calc BC and now I am getting solid As in my math class at UIUC when the averages are around a C. Imagine what our A students are getting.. Overall, I think this school is the perfect school for honors/AP students. The guidance councilor and principal all seem nice and there is a lot of school spirit! There is also practically no bullying.

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

Naperville North's quality of education and high standards produce some of the most well qualified students in the nation. The teachers are dedicated to their students and provide abundant resources for the students to expand their knowledge. Variety in courses is also important, including rounded departments. True, AP courses are encouraged, but they are certainly not forced. It is simply advised that the students learn to challenge themselves and even perhaps earn college credit. In addition to the education, the environment is also excellent. Student body diversity teaches the students to work with different personalities in complex situations, skills definitely appropriate for their futures. Outside of school, students enthusiastically join activities, clubs, and sports, putting the school at the top of state competitions in academia and athletics. I had been prepared exceedingly well for college and can say that Naperville North contributed to the sturdy foundations required for my education.
—Submitted by a student

Naperville North High school is a huge school. It is very impersonable. The administration is not very helpful. I think this school is over rated. My children did not have a good experiece there.
—Submitted by a parent

My middle son graduated from North in 2007. He is a freshman at DePaul University in Chicago, and he and his friends from North say that they are extremely well-prepared to deal with college-level academics due to the excellent education they received at North. A word of caution, however, for parents. The school is extremely focused on sports. If your child simply wants to play sports, but isn't at a high competitive level, forget it. S/he will never make the team. I also found too much emphasis on AP classes, to the detriment of smart, capable students who just wanted to be educated, but not focus on getting a 5.0 GPA. Which is ridiculous anyway, and the main reason the school had to drop class ranking. They had kids with a 4.0 GPA who weren't in the top 25% of the class. This is a big school, too big actually.
—Submitted by a parent

I transferred to East Chapel Hill High in my sophomore year and though the new school is great and nationally commended, my Naperville experience even exceeds that. The extracurriculars are amazing, the sports are phenomenal. This school truly prepares the student for the real world and so don't expect to just cruise through. Parent involvement is also incredible and contribute equally to the great ability of the students for the success of the school.
—Submitted by a former student

As a parent, I find NNHS to be lacking in integrity, moral value, and high standards. The leadership is poor and I feel that the students are given busy work instead of school work. I am very happy that the kids are just about out of this school district.
—Submitted by a parent

I graduated from NNHS in 2005, and I am so lucky to have done so. I am now at Purdue University, and I feel so much better prepared than many of my friends, and I certainly credit that to North. I am also currently teacher-observing as part of my elementary education degree, and I am so much more appreciative of what I had both at North and in District 203. I always thought NNHS was just another high school, I knew we performed well and were a good school to attend, but I had never compared it to anyone outside of the Naperville area. I now see just how excellent of an education I received thanks to District 203, but also from North.
—Submitted by a former student

I graduated from NNHS in 1998 and was very happy with the experience. I do think that both North and Central are getting overcrowded now (my younger brother goes to Naperville Central). I felt that I was very prepared for college, much more so than other students in my college classes. NNHS offers many extracurricular activies. I participated in the music program, a community service organization and the Youth in Government program. The teachers are extremely dedicated. My parents moved us to Naperville from the south side of Chicago so I could have a more challenging academic experience, and I am very thankful that they did because I found that experience at Naperville North.
—Submitted by a former student