253 Hoffmann Dr
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089

For context of my review, I am a recent alum that is now in college. It has great academic opportunities: various AP courses in various subjects, college prep advisors, etc. However, the school culture is also competitive. There is a feeling of "if you aren't taking several AP classes, you aren't smart". Comparing classes, grades, and college choices with peers is normal and in some cases harmful. Stevenson is pretty safe, only a few incidents that I know of when I was a student. The advisors are not great, so I would suggest students to look at what path they want to take (ex: not all colleges need 4 years of science, but might need 4 years of social studies). I think that I was well prepared for college, several of my classes that I took freshman year I found easier than the courses I took at Stevenson. The good thing about Stevenson being so large is that there are lots of clubs and ways to get involved socially. There are also various cultural clubs and events for those who want to take part. I look back fondly at my time at Stevenson, but know that extreme competitiveness socially, academically, and in sports is normal here.

I like the teacher's skills and school's organization, clean and safety.

6-7th grade is pretty chill, not much homework at all and every student is just playing games because they have laid-back interactive teachers and an engaging curriculum so they are not overloaded with anything and can find a free school-life balance. 8th grade is where you crash out. Especially if you have an advanced track child on Pre-calc at Stevenson or Geometry. There are some teachers who are especially strict or condescending towards students (there is one specific teacher I doubt even likes children in general) and there WILL be loads of homework. They tell you it’s to prepare for high school, which is true in a sense, but they did not prepare me for 8th grade. However, I do appreciate the competitiveness and well rounded curriculum which drives students to work harder and at an above state average level for an easier path to success at Stevenson. Hope this school reconsiders some of the Science teachers… Thanks, coming from a past alumni

There’s nothing wrong, per se, on the surface. Their commitment to IEP’s and special education is commendable. However, there is nothing of note beyond this; this is an extremely conservative school for a suburb that is largely demographically Asian students (especially as of the last few years). Teachers have outdated material (Thanksgiving booklets with Columbus “discovering” America) while the board itself tries to be progressive (seemingly!) with labels like Indigenous People’s Day in the calendar. As a constituent and voting member of the district, it is disheartening to see the veiled hostility towards students who are children of immigrants; children are forced to enroll in English support during kindergarten (because they speak a heritage language at home) and multilingualism or even bilingualism seems unheard of. As an educator as well, I found school curriculum to be severely lacking and very much shaky in fundamentals (such as math). Teachers all have a diverse teaching style (with little alignment). They work hard (it’s apparent); however, leadership is lacking. Every other week has an early release day. While faculty unions are very necessary, one cannot comprehend what kind of negotiations have brought about the decision to hold “professional development” during early release days (effectively taking away from instruction time). Poor planning, poor organization and abysmal leadership (and very rude behavior) by the current principal has made some of us parents wary; administrators are answerable to taxpayers as well as children themselves. As a parent to two children enrolled in this district for more than eight years, it is disheartening to write this review. To find regressive views, including opening a weekly email newsletter from the district with a flag of another country with questionable intent is grossly negligent. If the school or district should become such an openly regressive political space, as opposed to an open and welcome environment, there is little hope for children to grow and thrive. It is a humble suggestion that you think very carefully before enrolling your children in a school district that sends a welcome message for the year with ZERO diversity in the faces it chose for the photos. The message I saw was—you’re not wanted and you’re certainly not seen here outside of the random culture nights and platitudes about being inclusive.Should administrators or taxpayers be reading this, this should give them pause.