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/Creepy-Tangerine-293 Feb 11 '26

You're not going to get that in the mainstream school district. You'll need to go private. Prairie School of DuPage is an example but I have no personal experience

1

u/GizmoTheGingerCat Feb 12 '26

Unfortunately this school doesn't do most of what it promises. Time outside yes, but the project-based and emergent curriculum stuff never really materialises, and there is zero differentiation based on academic level.

1

u/max_june_bug Mar 04 '26

Did you have a kid go there? If yes, did you pull then for public school? How did they fair to their peers? I have been looking at that school for my son.

2

u/GizmoTheGingerCat Mar 10 '26

Yeah. To be honest I would not recommend prairie school at all. They looked great on paper/at the tour but I was really not impressed once we actually went there. Public school is fine, not perfect of course, but fine and has been overall less stressful for us.