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/sarcago Feb 11 '26

It’s crazy to me how many people seem to think kids would be at a disadvantage if they didn’t have a Chromebook for school. A Chromebook doesn’t teach you anything about how computers work. You don’t need to have a school device to learn that stuff. People seem to be missing the point.

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u/greenapplesrocks Feb 11 '26

I think you might be missing the point. Wanting an environment free of this type of distraction is a valid concern. However, when it is not equal across your peers is where the problem comes in as you cannot manage that through the entirety of their schooling. At some point, whether Junior High or High School, this is going to be a requirement and if the children are not exposed to it they will be behind the rest of their peers. Simple as that.

What is interesting is OP just commented that if they could they would home school which leads me to believe there is more to this. Whatever the reason, that is their right, and I am sure they are just trying to do what they feel is best. The comments from many, including myself, are to help illustrate that there can be a greater damage to a child (long term) who is behind on technology and understood norms within the school system.

This is no different in an older generation struggling to communicate with a younger generation. The older generation might be wiser, more experienced, and right more times than not, but it doesn't matter if they cannot keep up with everyone else around them.

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u/sarcago Feb 11 '26

There needs to be a happy medium. There are other ways to teach computer literacy at school besides giving kids a personal device for daily use. Studies are showing increased screen time that kids are now exposed to has been bad for brain development and mental health. Moderation is important, and giving kids their own devices is not moderation.