Question

We may be moving to Naperville and I am wondering what the best neighborhoods are for small kids? Also which Naperville schools is everyone happiest with? My kids are 7, 4, 2 and 2 months. Thank you!  

Answer 1

Naperville is huge and there are lots of great neighborhoods and schools! I would narrow it down first by what makes the most sense for where you are commuting for work.  

Comments

@schiro29 this!  

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@cundiff so we are originally from Oswego so we know Naperville pretty well as far as the town and everything, but when it comes to subdivisions and which schools, I’m not totally familiar. I’m pretty sure we would prefer central as the high school or Nequa. My husband is going to be commuting very far (Libertyville) so idk that it’s really going to matter to us. We just want to love our home and the kids schools.  

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@schiro29 I think it’s what is more important to you what kids get out of school. 203 is historically more academically focused, where as 204 also has more arts and trades offerings. Either way you can’t go wrong!  

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@cundiff which schools are in the specific districts? (High schools)

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@schiro29 all the Naperville north, central etc are 203. Waubonsee, Nequa, and Matea are 204

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@cundiff ok thank you!  

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@cundiff @sprawl78 as a parent of 2 D204 HS students, both districts are highly academic!  

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@unlimited agreed! We are a proud 204 family as well! I love that 204 has arts as well as academics. Which is something that I personally feel that 203 lacks a little.  

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@cundiff I don't have any experience with 203, but I agree that you really can't go wrong with schools anywhere here. I agree, focus on proximity to highway that works for you, home you can afford etc. The schools piece will work out either way. I love that my kids can have a well rounded HS experience with academics, arts, and sports. The only tough part is fitting into the class schedule!  

Answer 2

My son goes to Robert Clow Elementary and I worked there part time as a lunch supervisor. I love that school. Great neighborhood too.  

Answer 3

We are in 203. We are located on the eastern part of Naperville - near Lisle. We are at RanchView elem and love it. It has a great parent community. The junior high is Kennedy and then high school is Central (south of 75th) or North.  

Comments

@calcification94 we are there too, new as of July and the little subdivision of f Cinnamon creek and there are zero young children. I noticed closer to the school there are more families

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@rizika We are in Cinnamon Creek too My son does have classmates in the subdivision, but there is def more kids playing outside near Ranchview. We moved in this house before we had kids. I like our quiet street and my house, but if I could do it again, I would choose a house closer to the school. Btw, many kids play at the playground at RV after school when the weather gets better.  

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That said, we have been happy in this subdivision for 20 yrs.  

Answer 4

For factual data on schools in Naperville see www. illinoisreportcard. com. There are 2 districts, 203 and 204 and many schools. If you can narrow down the elementary, jr high and high school it will greatly help your home search.  

Answer 5

Messaging you.  

Answer 6

The vast majority of neighborhoods and schools are outstanding. You really can’t go wrong.  

Answer 7

We love our area and schools. Our kids were born here and have enjoyed Spring Brook Elementary and Gregory Middle School so much! You can’t go wrong in district 204! We live in the Timber Creek subdivision.  

Comments

@scarlett we love Gregory too! We feed into Clow Elementary and we’re also very happy with that school.  

Answer 8

I would guess that most of us only have experience with one elementary, one junior high and one high school. They all have pros and they all have cons. It’s like asking which kid is your favorite.  

Comments

@kirsten well then knowing the pros and cons of each would be helpful  

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@schiro29 go to www. illinoisreportcard. com. It depends on what is a high priority to you. Is diversity, teacher experience, test scores important? All these factors and many more are detailed on the web site. First decide on a district 203/204 and then narrow down the list of elementary schools. Once you have a few selected, post again and ask specific questions about each school and their administration staff. At my school, the principal moved and we got a new one and all of a sudden there was a mass exodus of teachers due to the new principal. Each school can be vastly different based on leadership even within a district.  

Answer 9

There are subdivisions on the far west side of Bolingbrook that feed into 204 schools. Nice homes, Lower housing and tax costs but the benefit of Naperville schools. Builta elementary, Gregory Middle School, and Neuqua Valley HS. I live there and would be happy to tell you about it!  

Answer 10

We live in the Hunters Woods subdivision and have a 7 yr old and a 3 year old. My older daughter goes to Scott school and we love it. The principal is amazing, teachers are fantastic, and we have a very active Home and School. The environment is very welcoming and inclusive, and everything we do is keeping a community feel in mind. The people in our neighborhood are friendly, down to earth and we’ve made a lot of friends here. We’re close to a library and a park, which my girls love! Good luck in your search!  

Comments

@korean I agree! We live in Naper Carriage Hill. I’ve heard our area of Naperville described as “Mayberry”.  

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I second this! We live in Carriage Hill (the other subdivision that feeds into Scott) and really love the school. There's tons of kiddos in our neighborhood. My daughter has 3 friends from her class on our street alone.  

Answer 11

We’re in century farms, it’s north naperville. We love our location because it takes 2 minutes to jump on the highway, a couple minutes drive to train station & downtown Naperville. Love our neighbors, love our school - we’ve loved every teacher so far!  

Answer 12

We live in Wiloway and we’re redistricted so we’ve had experience with Mill street, Jefferson and nnhs and then elmwood, Lincoln and nchs. Loved all of the schools. We can walk to downtown naperville, which is a real plus. Of course there are several neighborhoods that offer the same advantage. Also look up the school boundaries because some neighborhoods are 204 even though they’re very close to nchs. Look up the property taxes in the neighborhoods you like.  

Comments

@brueghel O'@sprawl78 Agree. I had friends that lived right by Central and were 204–that is long bus drive for high school

Answer 13

Was in ashbury 15 yrs. sure miss it.  

Answer 14

I would look for a neighborhood/subdivision that has a pool. It’s a great way for kids and families to get to know each other. Not all subdivisions have them. Another thing to note is 294 is undergoing a huge widening project they won’t be completed till 2024. Not sure if your hubby is planning to drive to Libertyville but that’s already a 50 minute commute with no traffic. Just wondering why you wouldn’t move somewhere closer!  

Comments

@ayer I’m in brookdale and we have a pool and it’s so great to hang out with neighbors all summer long! Love it.  

Answer 15

There are so many factors to consider from budget, needs & wants, etc. Each neighborhood has differences, pros and cons! I’m a realtor at KW on Washington. I’m happy to send some options and then from that narrow down which neighborhood you prefer! The DeLeo Real Estate Group 630-632-5787 call/text!  

Answer 16

Honestly there aren't really any neighborhoods or schools you can go wrong with Naperville. 203 and 204 are both very strong public school districts. The town in general is family friendly. As a kid growing up here you want to be out, then as a grown up you realize there really is no place like Naperville to raise a family! Good luck on your search!  

Answer 17

We love our neighborhood, West Highlands. Lots of kids, great schools and close to downtown!  

Comments

Message me if you want more info. on 203. I work at Maplebrook Elementary.  

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@talesman I didn’t know you guys lived in Naperville! For some reason I thought you lived way up north ‍♀️‍♀️‍♀️

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@schiro29 Born and raised!  

Answer 18

Like others have said, do you want easy access to 88 and all the things or more a commute. l? I’m in north Naperville in the brookdale subdivision and LOVE it here. Easy access to 88, metra, all things shopping and eating. 204 district. We have the elementary and middle school in our neighborhood. We have a pool in the hood. We do a bunch of fun neighbor activities throughout the year. Tons of kids that you will just running all over during the summer months. Again though if access to 88 and the metra isn’t a big deal you can go central or south Naperville.  

Answer 19

Something to keep n mind there are 2 districts in Naperville. There is Dist 203 and 204. Dist 203 is mostly Naperville and and a small part of Lisle. Where as 204 is made up of portions of Naperville, Bolingbrook and Aurora.  

Comments

I guess that would be important if you felt you HAD to have only Naperville kids in your school  

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@unlimited just giving her the big picture. Lots of boundaries when considering buying. Not to mention class sizes and school location. Niche is a good source for info as well. Good luck with your search Katie.  

Answer 20

Elmwood elementary is great. I would avoid mill street at all cost we were there 2 years and were not happy but are at Elmwood now and love it

Answer 21

Check out Arbor Trails in Lisle, Naperville district 203 schools: Steeple Run, Kennedy Jr High, and Naperville Central HS. There are 1. 5 busloads worth of kids just to the elementary school in our neighborhood! 3 houses just hit the market, one 2 doors down from me on Sanctuary St. We are a fun group of adults too!  

Comments

I 2nd this ☝️

Answer 22

We absolutely love Elmwood elementary. They teachers and families are amazing.  

Answer 23

Kingsley! Old farm! We have four kids in your age range and the neighborhood is filled with kids. And our school is amazing ❤️ feeds into Lincoln and Central.  

Comments

@benedick50614 agreed! Love Kingsley and the Old Farm neighborhood.  

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There are two houses for sale right by us in Old Farm.  

Answer 24

University heights, farmstead the meadows neighborhood go to Meadow Glens Elementary school area is amazing. The kids depending will go to Madison or Kennedy jr high and some go to central some to north most listings have the schools at the bottom.  

Answer 25

Ask @gossett856 she is a great realtor and lives in Naperville

Comments

@horselaugh, aw, thank you so much! Naperville is a great town with lots of great neighborhoods, it is all kind of dependent on what you are looking for. I have been in Naperville for almost 20 years & full time realtor for almost half that, if you do have any questions, I would love to help :))

Answer 26

We are in Century Farms. We have 3 kids kindergarten & under. Our neighborhood has moms that try to playdate once a week. There is also a mom & tot group in cress Creek (our neighboring subdivision). We just started at Mill Street this year, but we love it

Answer 27

Brookdale hands down. Super community and great location

Comments

This was our other top contender. It was a great community!  

Answer 28

I would narrow it down to North or South and start there. I found the a north and south to feel like different cities. North was the only option for us as we wanted walkability to downtown Naperville and the metra into Chicago as my husband works in Chicago. We are also close to the 88 and other freeways to get to Libertyville. We ended up in the Saybrook neighborhood. It has a great social community and pool. The walkability is wonderful. Everyone here is fabulous. Bebee is the elementary, my daughter is only 3 so we have not gone yet but everyone says they love it. Bebee is the elementary Jefferson high And North Naperville high school

Answer 29

All neighborhoods have their pluses and minuses. WEST HIGHLANDS IS 100% Where I would move if I were you. I live in Naper Carriage Hill and we feed into Scott Elementary. My husband is a realtor and can help. Private message me if you want me to explain my advice further! My husbands family went to NCHS, my husband went to NCHS, and our kids will go to NCHS. As we raise third generation residents we know the history of district 203. My husband is an elementary teacher as well and he knows elementary school system very well here in DuPage county.  

Comments

So we aren't good enough neighbors? LOL.  

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@veach lol! Yes you suck  jk.