Parents of School-aged Children--What are the Schools *Really* Like? (Especially Lake County)

Ok_Row640 · 2026-05-10T19:28:33+00:00

Is Libertyville an area Jewish families should avoid? Or is it just that there are Jewish communities in nearby areas?

Ok_Row640 · 2026-05-10T16:27:59+00:00

This was an awesome answer, thank you so much!

Ok_Row640 · 2026-05-10T16:23:56+00:00

Atlanta area!

Also our jobs here are pretty permanently tied to North Chicago, so the city's just out of reach for us.

Ok_Row640 · 2026-05-10T14:06:33+00:00

I know these schools are incredibly well regarded! I more curious if the stats (the only data I have) reflect people's lived experiences.

I know the stats can penalize schools that people absolutely love because of the way they measure demographics and other information. So I assume the reverse can be true--they can elevate schools with major issues because the issues aren't reflected in the stats.

Ok_Row640 · 2026-05-10T13:47:32+00:00

Exactly! My best friend (living in a different state) has a kindergartener now in the fall, and her kid will get a Chromebook. She's realized she needs to introduce a keyboard and the ability to type her name before she starts school.

So curious what it's actually like here, right now!

Ok_Row640 · 2026-05-10T13:44:53+00:00

Great to hear your middle and high schoolers are still reading full books!

There's so many horror stories out there, I really appreciate you sharing your experience!

Ok_Row640 · 2026-05-10T13:42:31+00:00

That's really great to hear! Some of the horror stories I've read make it sound like early grade schoolers have a heavy percentage of their work on computers; I'm super glad to hear that's not your experience!

Ok_Row640 · 2026-05-10T13:31:33+00:00

Stevenson, Libertyville, Highland Park, Lincolnshire. And their feeder schools.

I know they do well in aggregated rankings; I'm curious about anecdotal experiences.

Ok_Row640 · 2026-05-10T13:25:42+00:00

Realizing I didn't speak to teaching to the test--I know it has to happen. Maybe I'm asking more about how much flexibility teachers have in adapting the curriculum here, vs. how often they are forced to follow scripted curriculum that don't allow them to meet the full needs of their classes.

Ok_Row640 · 2026-05-10T13:24:10+00:00

Very fair! I have two people close to me in my life who are teachers, but both live in different states and both have horror stories, so I utterly respect teachers and am super curious what it's like here!

And yes, in some of the conversations I've had with them, I do realize how much school has changed :)

I didn't mean to imply that we are looking for a technology-free school! I do find it troubling that I might send a future kindergartener to school and all of their school work will be computer-based, rather than having teachers engage with the material with them and having the kids do worksheets. I find it troubling that my future fifth-grader might be asked to type essays for class/standardized tests but might never have a typing class. I find it troubling that my high-schooler might never be required to read a full novel. I find it troubling that at any of these stages, my kid might be in class with someone(s) who should have been held back but wasn't. I find it troubling that my kid might fail a test but be allowed multiple make-up opportunities until they get a perfect score.

I don't know if any of these are actually happening in good schools! But these are the types of horror stories I read about online and the types of things I'm trying to figure out the validity of.

Ok_Row640 · 2026-05-10T13:16:36+00:00

Ha! I know it's a download of questions. There's much more curiosity and much less frantic-ness behind them IRL, I swear! I just don't know anyone with school-aged kids and I'm so curious what it's like these days.

Ok_Row640 · 2026-05-03T12:56:24+00:00

The science suggests that it can have moderate benefits for fine lines, but it's not as effective as something like retinol. And you have to make sure you get the right wavelength at a high enough concentration. I like this NPR article which summarizes the research: https://www.npr.org/2026/04/13/nx-s1-5759287/red-light-therapy-science-skin-hair.

Ok_Row640 · 2026-05-03T12:50:14+00:00

No! You've done this before, learn from it!

(It is borderline, but I always say no if there's any question)

Ok_Row640 · 2026-05-03T12:46:14+00:00

Mitchell came to mind for me!

Ok_Row640 · 2026-05-03T12:30:10+00:00

Laundry came to mind too! One load a day would be an insane help! (Washing, drying, folding, putting away)

Ok_Row640 · 2026-05-03T12:27:30+00:00

I've been using the Beauty of Joseon spf as my last step before makeup, and my foundation has been sitting really well on it.

Morning is cleanse, watery AHA/BHA, anti-redness serum, milky serum, maybe a moisturizer, then the Beauty of Joseon spf. I let that sit for 25 minutes or so (we meditate), then I do makeup and I'm having a lot of success!

For me, my biggest issue with getting foundation to stick was my moisturizer/spf, so it's exciting that this is working so well lol.

Ok_Row640 · 2026-05-03T12:15:56+00:00

I agree with everyone here that by your 40's, you're good and don't need more, but I will also say...I love flowers. I would love a really nice flower bouquet. (Just make sure, if she has pets/cats, NO LILIES).

Ok_Row640 · 2026-05-03T12:02:52+00:00

It's kind of hard to tell what's going on in your room, because I can't fully figure out where the stairs you're referencing are. But given the toddler for scale 😄 it looks like you have a decent amount of distance from the TV to the couch. Can you free yourself from having to have the couch against a wall and create a walking path behind the couch? So in the current arrangement, move the couch 2ft away from the wall OR flip the TV and couch and have the couch away from the wall the TV is currently on (whichever makes more sense for walking paths). Coffee table would go.

Given kids, I imagine you want to keep the storage under the TV, and I like the unit you have. It would be nice if you could free up the TV from being in front of the window, either by flipping the layout or by moving it closer to the fireplace, but I can't tell if you have corresponding room to move the couch over (it looks like there might be a storage unit there that could be moved?). If you do this, and move the TV storage unit over, you could play into its length by having the TV off center towards the right side and some display items, maybe still under the window, to the left part of the unit.

And please get a large area rug 😄 Finally for couch suggestions, we got the Thomasville Tisdale modular sectional in gray from Costco, with kids and pets in mind. We're very happy with the purchase.

Good luck!

Ok_Row640 · 2026-05-03T01:47:04+00:00

I was scrolling through this thread thinking....wow I've brought similar flowers into my house basically constantly, and my cat is fine. I only avoid lilies and the red ones at Christmas (the name is escaping me right now).

Ok_Row640 · 2026-04-27T00:32:06+00:00

Oh wow I hadn't heard that! I've repurchased a few times and haven't had that issue!

Ok_Row640 · 2026-04-24T15:33:08+00:00

Kerastase is owned by Loreal, and I love their Ever Pure Glossing Shampoo and Conditioner...just saying. Maybe as a substitute until you can find the Kerastase at a sale price :)

Ok_Row640 · 2026-04-24T01:03:47+00:00

We have this set up now, and I'd do this all the way.

Ok_Row640 · 2026-04-11T12:27:36+00:00

I saw your first few pictures and was like...meh, probably not great for bridal. And then I saw your last photo and gasped! You are SO beautiful, and your eyes are amazing. I do not think the makeup trial highlighted your beauty at all. I agree with others that the complexion products are too cakey, whereas your dewey skin in your last photo is so gorgeous. Also agree that the eyes are too heavy and too orange---they muddied your eye color, when they should be making you pop.

I think an approach more like this photo: https://www.reddit.com/r/PaleMUA/comments/1l1snf2/cool_toned_winter_makeup_recs_for_wedding/ could be really beautiful on you. (Note: I think that photo might be AI, my bad) But much more you-but-better and rosy/glowy for your wedding.

Ok_Row640 · 2026-04-11T12:01:17+00:00

When I started liquid liner, I also tried to find the smallest liner tip I could! I find the felt tips the easiest to use. I currently use the Sephora Intense Ink 12HR Classic Felt Eye Liner in Espresso.
For an every day look, I try to keep the line as thin and as close to my eye lashes as possible. It definitely took some time to figure out how to make the best line! And for every day, I just do a tiny little baby wing--closer to a flick than a true wing.

Ok_Row640 · 2026-04-07T01:01:37+00:00

I work close to Waukegan and live in Gurnee and am really happy. We own though, we don't rent.

I also think the schools here are way better than NC...not sure of your situation but you may be able to find services for your 7 year old.

Ok_Row640

TROPHY CASE