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Chicagoland Schools

CHICAGOLAND schools

Illinois has one of the most progressive educational systems in the nation. Students from Chicagoland schools are among the best and brightest. The major colleges and universities in the area are some of the most respected in the world, and there are dozens of small to medium-sized colleges throughout the six-county area that offer flexible and affordable education for all. There are a number of theological seminaries and schools of music, art and law.

Chicagoland schools are highly regarded nationwide, and have been inspiring some of the country's best minds for over 150 years. Students in all grades reach educational goals beyond normal expectations using the progressive curriculum taught throughout the region. Educators challenge all students to explore interests beyond the core curriculum by attending special classes in advanced technology, Illinois history, geography, writing, music, art, drama and foreign language. The results speak for themselves; Chicagoland students annually rank in the upper echelon of Illinois' academic tests.

Students' achievements, from Lakeview to Lockport, Aurora to Alsip, and everywhere in between, reflect the proud work ethic one expects from those educated by only the most talented teachers. Reaching personal goals beyond the classroom, Chicagoland students have attained national recognition in academics, athletics, music and more. National Merit Scholarship and Illinois State Scholars programs have honored countless thousands over the years and college-bound students continually outpace their counterparts nationwide in American College Test scores. Likewise, students consistently have scored higher than their peers on the Scholastic Aptitude Test. Private and parochial education programs also excel at stimulating young minds hungry for knowledge and preparing them for educational challenges in the future.

Some of the most prestigious Universities and Colleges in the nation are found throughout the Chicagoland area. The most notable in Cook County include: Chicago State University, Governors State University, The Illinois Institute of Art, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Columbia College, DePaul University, Illinois Institute of Technology, John Marshall Law School, Loyola University, Northwestern University, Roosevelt University, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and The University of Chicago.

Excellent schools exist in the collar counties as well. In DuPage County are the College of DuPage, Benedictine University, Elmhurst College, North Central College and Wheaton College, among others.

In Kane County are Elgin Community College, Waubonsee Community College and Judson College, while in Lake County are the College of Lake County and Lake Forest College. Students in McHenry County attend McHenry County College while those in Will County have Joliet Junior College and Lewis University as excellent options.

Libraries

Supplementing the excellent education that students receive throughout Chicagoland schools is an extensive, modern and thoroughly connected library system. Virtually every community has access to the latest educational resources for study outside the classroom. In Chicago itself, the country's largest public library, the Harold Washington Library Center, is located at 400 S. State St. and houses an enormous collection of books, archives, periodicals, music and more. Its excellent children's library promotes reading and learning at an early age. Most Chicagoland libraries have high-speed access to the Internet, opening unprecedented access to valuable information at the mere click of a mouse. The interlibrary loan system makes all publications available to everyone. By offering children's reading programs, interactive study and lifelong learning initiatives, libraries throughout Chicagoland are focused on bringing the world of information to all.

Public Schools

Chicago Board of Education
1819 W. Pershing Rd., Chicago, IL 60609 (773) 535-8000

Suburban Schools

Illinois Board of Education
100 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60601 (312) 814-2220

Private Schools

A variety of agencies govern private elementary and secondary schools in metropolitan Chicago. For further information, contact:

Archdiocese of Chicago

School Office (312) 751-8200
Catholic School Board (312) 751-5200Jewish Federation of Chicago (312) 346-6700
Lutheran High School Assn. of Greater Chicago (630) 628-6289
Lutheran Church Missouri Synod of Northern Illinois (708) 449-3020

Colleges & Universities

Chicago State University, Chicago: (773) 995-2000
Columbia College, Chicago: (312) 663-1600
DePaul University, Chicago: (312) 362-8000
DeVry Institute of Technology, Chicago: (773) 929-6550
Elmhurst College, Elmhurst: (630) 279-4100
Governors State University, Chicago: (708) 534-5000
Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago: (312) 567-3000
Kendall College, Evanston: (847) 866-1300
Lewis University, Romeoville: (815) 838-0500
Loyola University of Chicago: (773) 274-3000
National Louis University, Evanston: (847) 475-1100
North Park College & Seminary, Chicago: (773) 244-6200
Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago: (773) 583-4050
Northwestern University, Evanston: (847) 491-7271
Roosevelt University, Chicago: (312) 341-3500
St. Xavier University, Chicago: (773) 779-3300
University of Chicago: (773) 702-8650
University of Health Sciences/Chicago Medical School, North Chicago: (847) 578-3000
University of Illinois at Chicago: (312) 996-7000

Community & Junior Colleges

City Colleges of Chicago: (312) 553-3303
College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn: (630) 858-2800
College of Lake County, Grayslake: (847) 223-6601
Morraine Valley Community College, Palos Hills: (708) 974-2110
Oakton Community College, Des Plaines: (847) 635-1600
Prairie State College, Chicago Heights: (708) 709-3500
South Suburban College, South Holland: (708) 596-2000
Triton College, River Grove: (708) 456-0300
William Rainey Harper College, Palatine: (847) 925-6000

Libraries

The Chicago Public Library System
Harold Washington Library Center, 400 South State St., Chicago, IL 60605 (773) 542-7279

Public College Enrollment

University of Illinois at Chicago: 24,610
Harry S. Truman College: 14,147
Wilbur Wright College: 11,560
Northeastern Illinois University: 10,937
Governors State University: 8,800
Harold Washington College: 8,270
Richard J. Daley College: 8,200
Malcolm X College: 8,561
Olive-Harvey College: 7,778
Chicago State University: 7,580
Kennedy-King College: 6,681

Private College Enrollment

DePaul University: 19,549
Northwestern University: 17,041
Loyola University of Chicago: 13,359
University of Chicago: 12,016
Columbia College: 8,848
Roosevelt University: 6,960
National-Lewis University: 6,532
Illinois Institute of Technology: 6,062
Robert Morris College: 4,941
Lewis University: 4,108
St. Xavier College: 4,051
DeVry Institute of Technology: 4,001
North Park University: 2,198
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago: 2,370

Source: State of Illinois Board of Higher Education Databook, Fall 2001

Top U.S. Executive MBA Programs Ranked Schools

1. Northwestern University-Chicago (Kellogg)
2. University of Pennsylvania-Philadelphia (Wharton)
3. University of Chicago-Chicago
4. Duke University-Durham, NC (Fuqua)
5. Columbia University-New York City
6. New York University-New York City (Stern)
7. University of California-Los Angeles (Anderson)
8. Massachusetts Institute of Technology-Cambridge, MA (Sloan)
9. University of North Carolina-Chappel Hill, NC (Kenan-Flagler)
10. University of Southern California-Los Angeles (Marshall)

Source: U.S. News & World Report, School Rankings, 2000

Links to School Sites

     
   
     
 
     
 

FREE Homebuyer's Toolkit

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GUIDE TO
McHenry County

This handy guide was developed by to assist homeowners and potential home buyers in finding shopping, restaurants, golf courses, hotels, services, etc., in Northern McHenry County.  Click the link below to open the guide in a new window:

Shopping & Services Guide for McHenry County
 

 
     
 

When to Start
Looking For a Home

Don't wait until you have the money! Most buyers aren't aware of all the financing options available to them that require little or no down payment. Ask your "Buyers Agent" to recommend qualified & reputable lenders.

Check into your mortgage options. You'll want to obtain a written "Pre-Approval" from a mortgage lender indicating the amount you will be qualified to borrow.

Where would you like to live? Do you want to be in a certain school district? Need to be close to major highway or train? Concentrate your beginning point there.

Think about your household needs. How many bedrooms you need, floor plan or design, size of garage, etc…

Are you renting? Allow enough time so that when you are ready to move, you will be able to go right into your new home. Your "Buyers Agent" can help you time it just right!

Begin researching the market before you intend to buy. Start 6-9 months early! Ask your "Buyers Agent" to start sending you listings. Through the internet & your e-mail you can receive automated "up to the minute" notice on homes that fit your criteria and price range as soon as they become available to the market. Through "Connect MLS" (A direct link to the Multiple Listing Service of Illinois which services 1000's of listings from all it's member offices)

Learn about disclosures and contracts.  Last but certainly not least, have your "Buyers Agent" sit down and educate you on the many forms and documents you will be asked to sign. It is a complex process that has many potential pitfalls and glitches that demand the undivided attention and involvement of a Real Estate Professional who has been trained in the intricacies of negotiating and finalizing a transaction to completion. For many people, buying a home is an extremely emotional experience. Technology is a wonderful and powerful too, but that's precisely what it is. It cannot and never will be able to offer the assurance, guidance and friendship that are unique to the kind of personal interaction which a "Buyers Agent" and their clients enjoy. It's important to have someone to guide you through the process, strongly negotiate on your behalf and ensure you're playing with the market, not against it!

We work hard for you!

 
     
 

agent profile

Mary Opfer
Managing Broker, E-Pro, ABR, ASP Buyer & Seller Representation

Mary Opfer is the leader of The Mary Opfer Team at REMAX Unlimited Northwest in Cary, Illinois.  Dedicated to providing service with quality, value and integrity to all, Mary has been buying and selling homes and real estate in the Village of Cary and the Cary Grove area since 1989, and has closed in excess of 118 Million Dollars in career sales …and counting.

 
     
   
 
     
   
     

Mary Opfer, Managing Broker, Team Leader, ABR, ASP, SFR, Buyer & Seller Representation

REMAX Unlimited Northwest
7107 Pingree Road
Crystal Lake, Illinois 60014

Serving the Northwest Suburbs