1215 Darrow Ave
Evanston, IL 60202

this was the worse 3 years of my life

My daughter has been at Washington for the last 3,5 years. It is a school with amazing admin, great teachers and a wonderful and racially diverse community. It also implements sustainable practices in the lunchroom and in the classrooms, of which students play a key role by composting and recycling. Social justice and equity are an important part of the curriculum. Overall, students are exposed and educated about issues that go beyond math, reading and writing. BTW, it is a TWI school, meaning that half of the student body (2 strands per grade) is taught in Spanish and English.

While Evanston Township High School (ETHS) may provide strong support for students with IEPs and other learning plans, it falls short in serving academically advanced students. The school prioritizes inclusivity in honors courses, allowing all freshmen and sophomores to enroll regardless of previous academic performance. While this approach may be well-intentioned, it ultimately results in watered-down coursework that fails to challenge high-achieving students.Our experience, having a senior at ETHS, has revealed concerning academic trends. Colleges and universities are beginning to recognize the declining rigor of ETHS, and the results speak for themselves—students with stellar academic records (4.5+ GPAs,1500 SAT, multiple AP courses, and National Merit recognition, State Athlete ) are facing unexpected deferrals and rejections from top-tier schools, including Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ivy League institutions. Reports from the community indicate that very few ETHS students have been accepted through Early Action or Early Decision this year, a stark contrast to previous years.Unfortunately, this issue is likely to worsen as students from District 65—an already struggling district potentially facing state intervention—enter ETHS. If you are looking for a high school that will truly challenge and prepare academically gifted students for competitive colleges, I strongly recommend considering other options. Likewise, I advise families to avoid District 65 (K-8) if academic excellence is a priority.