D.G.
Okay I am in the same situation and have done all the research. Here is the NW area rundown. I also would like to recommend a wonderful website which helps in learning about schools. It is greatschools.net; I use it all the time. If you are looking for a private school, then it doesn’t really matter where you live. There are good private schools all over the city and most of them are great. My kids go to Queen of Angels right now and we love it. I was a teacher and love the school and maybe would consider looking for a job there when I am done taking care of my young kids. We are in the process of looking for a house or condo by a better public school, that is why I have been doing a lot of research, based on the website, word of mouth, actually going to the schools, and speaking with other teachers.
1.Edison Park has Ebinger which is an amazing public school.
2. Jefferson Park has Beaubien which is the best public school in that area. Palmer, & Belding are okay but not half as good as Beaubien.
3. Norwood Park has Farnsworth which is okay and I have heard great things from parents. There is also Norwood Park Elementary but I am not sure if that is public or a magnet. Stay away from Hitch; I have heard bad things about that school.
4. There also is a school called Onahan which is kind of in Norwood Park and Edison and I also heard amazing things about that school which is public.
5. Oriole Park elementary is also one of the best in the city of which is located in Oriole Park.
6. If you have money then Sauganash/Edgebrook area has absolutely amazing schools, like Wildwood, but you need some major cash to afford a place in that area, although our realtor did find a few houses that need some work but are very affordable.
7. Also another area if you have money is within the Bell school district of which is also called the St. Bens area. Bell school is one of the best schools in the city, but most cannot afford housing within the district.
8. If you wish to live along Foster there is a school called Peterson which is up and coming and is very promising. I am on the fence about whether I would send my kids to Budlong, there are mixed reviews about that school of which is along Foster but closer to Andersonville.
9. Licolnsquare has Coonley of which I am hearing great things from parents. Also Ravenswood/Licolnsquare also has Waters of which I have heard great things from parents also.
10. Your only option in Albany Park is private, Haugan is a dump and you should never send your child there plus Volta is okay but I would rather send my kids to Peterson which is just a little bit further away from Volta. I would know because we live in Albany Park right now and we send our kids to private Catholic school for now.
Realtor.com will tell you the closest public school of which would probably be your public school. Our realtor has also given us all the info about what school our kids would go to in our MLS listings that she is sending us. Just let your realtor knows that you interested in what school your kids would go to in that area. I wish you luck and I am going through it too. Any more questions please don’t be afraid to send me a little message. I am always willing to help anyone out. Picking the right school can be very stressful. Remember districts can be tricky and a good may be in the area, but your child may have to go to the bad school based on what street you live on. So check with the local school before you buy to make sure your new place is within there district.