2017 Darrow Ave
Evanston, IL 60201

Do not go to this school, I had the worst experience at Haven for 3 years since 2020. The teachers here are really friendly there, it's just that the amount of learning here is below average. The teachers here do not give out homework anymore like they used to, which is good, but without it, we are not learning as much as we used to. Most of my teachers were helpful with providing learning materials to individualized students, while some others weren't. In addition, the teams were divided into 4 basketball teams, and some of the teams had teachers who understood the curriculum, while others didn't, so I think because of the team I was put in, most of my friends in my class and I were lacking from the curriculum. Also, we had a hard time getting along with the 8th assistant principal. I always see her in the hallway taking phones and being rude and arrogant to students. I also signed up to be a student ambassador, and she always picks the same kids in my class to give a tour, which I believe she had so much favoritism towards her ambassadors. Volunteering for student ambassadors is a great opportunity, but I don't recommend it just because there's so much favoritism in the group. I believe there were some changes being made with the school, but I highly recommend looking into other schools than this, because this school stressed me out, and made my life so miserable

My child started kindergarten here and we withdrew him after 3 days. The school communication was terrible, and onsite behavior of staff was the most unwelcoming I've experienced anywhere - worse than a gas station. Day one, my child had trouble separating, and I was not allowed to enter the school to help him get settled; teacher held him kicking and screaming while a security guard blocked the door and said "you cannot pass.". On the next day, security was not present and I did enter for an easier drop off and ended up helping another family I knew find their way, only to be reprimanded by the asst principal. She gave no welcome, no "how can i help you," but "you need to leave, we've got this." No, you don't got this. You've got parents and kids wandering around trying to find their way and young kids losing their minds with anxiety and offering no support. Each day I picked up my child he looked like he had just been through something awful. He didn't eat all day or use the bathroom; he said the gym was too loud to eat and that he didn't know any of the adults in the gym and that they would not let him leave to take a break from the noise. He said he got lost going from recess to gym because there was not teacher with them. On the third day we were late to school because my son was refusing to go- he spent the entire weekend begging me not to make him go. When we arrived, we had to go to security who spoke in two-word sentences like grunts to check in with the nurse, who didn't answer her door for at least 10 minutes. She then proceeded to ask my child a series of questions off a clip board that had nothing to do with him, and them sent us back to security to let me bring him to his classroom- security wasn't there. I brought him to his class where the teacher had to hold him kicking and sobbing while I walked away. And guess what they were doing for the third day in a row? Watching a video. And oh surprise! The first piece of printed information from the school in his locker is from the SEEL/ drama teacher letting families know they will soon do a course and act out on the topic inappropriate touch. Seriously? I have questions. This is bizarro world. We need community, support and welcoming. This school felt like a jail. Staff are inattentive, going through the motions, and treat parents like dirt. I'm beyond disappointed that I moved for the school district and pay so many taxes for this.

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.