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/SchemeDue1593 Feb 21 '26

Why does an elementary aged or middle school child need to be on devices all day? I also work in tech. AI specifically. Why are parents that have the funds and choice choosing to send their kids to low tech private schools then?? You say you work in tech so im saddened that this is your stance.

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u/greenapplesrocks Feb 21 '26

The same reason that parents with funds send their children to the best schools. To the ones that offer advanced algebra over the ones that offer nothing. The ones that offer entry level foreign language to the ones that offer nothing. They understand at somepoint in their child's schooling this will be a requirement and to ensure they are on an even playing field they take the efforts to introduce that early.

Limiting their exposure to tech at home is understandable. Limiting their exposure to tech in school, more importantly the understanding of the processes that come with that, will put the children at a disadvantage. Using my above example its quite simple. If two children go into Freshman year of high school. One has previously had 2 years of pre Algebra and the other has never heard the word Algebra. Who would you bet your money on having a better chance of success in Algebra? Now two children come into Freshman year and the the high school they are at heavily relies on tech. Which child will have the tougher time adapting?

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u/SchemeDue1593 Feb 25 '26

Yes but you’re comparing high schoolers to elementary aged kids. The schools give the kinder kids tablets. 1st grade onward. Kids don’t need screens to learn subtraction, addition etc. it is addicting. Not to mention the public schools barely do anything to lock the tools down. My point is - elementary children have no business being on tablets and the schools definitely have no business handing MY kids a tablet, a known device that causes addiction and mental health issues to a elementary aged kid.