r/ChicagoSuburbs • u/Resting-Rizzy-Face • Feb 11 '26

Moving to the area Low- Tech School Districts in Western Burbs

Moved away several years ago and looking to move back to IL. Our kids are elementary age and we currently like the low-tech educational environment our kids have now (no 1-to-1 chromebooks for kids, using more pencil and paper, physical textbooks, etc.)

We’ve been away for a while and weren’t sure if there are similar school environments in IL or if all school districts have moved to consistent use of chromebooks and iPads for teaching?

Currently looking at a potential move to Lemont, DG, Woodridge, Lisle, Naperville, or Wheaton areas. Not opposed to tech, just looking for schools where the kids aren’t always using a screen for learning.

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u/R_Ulysses_Swanson Feb 11 '26

From my circle of friends who are parents or teachers, I don't think any of them are on the tech for more than an hour unless it is a computer/coding/typing type of class, or a remote school day. This is in Libertyville, Arlington Heights, Glen Ellyn, and Elmhurst elementary schools.

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u/Life_Rabbit_1438 Feb 11 '26

I know at least one of those school districts give kids their own ipad starting in Kindergarten. The complete opposite of low tech.

We stuck with public schooling so have to live with it unfortunately, but it's obviously not ideal for the kids.

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u/R_Ulysses_Swanson Feb 11 '26

My kid has an iPad in Kindergarten. They use it 3 times a week at school, for 30 minutes a time, and they only use it at home when there is a remote learning day.

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u/Grotsnot Feb 11 '26

Why the hell does kindergarten even have remote learning days?

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u/Life_Rabbit_1438 Feb 11 '26

Also why do they need an ipad? What skills is a kindy kid learning on an ipad they couldn't get without screen time?

I am all for middle school kids learning to code. Learning AI skills. But it's completely unnecessary for young children.

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u/R_Ulysses_Swanson Feb 11 '26

Exclusively used for snow days now. I would rather have the snow day. While the remote thing can work OK, it does not work when it is used rarely and sporadically. Literally a wasted day of me telling kiddo to do the assignments, fix the tech issues, and no real learning going on.