1745 Meadow Ln
Highland Park, IL 60035

The school is brand new and smart choices have been made to keep the building and equipment nice for the long run. The school hosts a dual-language Spanish-English program where kids from 2 elementary schools have started in the program since Kindergarten. The school is well organized and the staff is friendly and motivated.

We have two children at Wayne Thomas, currently fourth and second grade. They’ve been there since kindergarten. We are a special-needs family with a 504 and our needs always feel supported. Every staff member checks in, from the administrative assistant to the librarian. We know we can go to anyone at any time and they know our children, really know them. There’s a program called Success Block that pairs children into groups for 30 mins a day where they’re learning something based on their learning level, whether they are needing a little extra help or if they are advanced learners. There is a school-wide program called The Leader in Me which teaches social skills like accountability, inclusion and leadership, parents and families included. Our kids have enjoyed participating in groups such as student council and robotics as well as after school activities such as Chess Scholars and Smart Start Art. I could go on, but just know that this is an amazing school and an amazing community. I am grateful.

My daughter has very special needs, and is developmentally 3-4 months of age. DHS, in all its wisdom, feels that it is appropriate to move my daughter from a special needs school that she has attended for 11 years (with an entire building of superior teachers and staff, as well as in-house therapists) to the DHS program that lacks in-house therapists and where her cohorts are absolutely not a match for her. The DHS school policy for observation by a parent is up to a maximum of 40 minutes, 3 times per year. To me, this is an inappropriately limited amount of time. Worst of all, the superintendents (Martindale and Yonke), and the principal, K. Anderson, refuse to return voice messages. I would like the administration, including the school board, to meet my daughter and listen to my concerns, but presently, the 2 superintendents and the principal will not communicate. If DHS would like me to be comfortable with the idea of my daughter attending the high school, this is NOT NOT NOT the way to make that happen.

A very average to slightly above average school comprised of mostly very privileged students. Athletics department is very weak, much more support for boys’ teams. Help for adhd students is basically non-existent. My child had a few great teachers that we really appreciated, art and drama departments are strong, the rest is average.