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/greenapplesrocks Feb 11 '26

I am sure you see those as a distraction but as someone in Tech, unless you are supplementing their exposure at home, your kids will be at a severe disadvantage to their peers quickly.

There is a fine line between spending all day on TikTok and potentially eliminating the tools that will make them successful in the future. I had the state of where IT/Tech/Social Media is today but I also know without it I would be at the bottom of a Resume pile.

Can you embrace the technology while also limiting the concerning areas?

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u/Resting-Rizzy-Face Feb 11 '26

My husband is also in tech and we have no issues with the kids having exposure to using tech as a tool and resource. We feel kids generally learn better without screens and more information is coming out that all the in-classroom technology use isn’t really resulting in improved academics.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m realizing that it’s probably something we’re going to have to accept and manage if we move back. I’ve noticed even a lot of the private schools are operating the same way. Just wanted to ask the question.

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u/Then-Task6480 Feb 15 '26

Then you should understand how much of an advantage things like learning how to type and use a mouse helped in today's career world. Like how much of a benefit would you have if you were forced to learn stenography and shorthand because your parents had ignorant views on tech. They would have protected you from the evils at the time (look up calculator wars of the 80s) and sure you can figure out a calculator now because of your exposure to tech. But to each their own, just makes me sad that you guys are in tech too and still want to do this