Re test scores – Her classical score dropped from 96 to 71 – OMG. Gifted was about the same (127). It makes me regret the private school choice I made for her last year. (Sure, blame the school, mom). Miles away from gifted – so i’m crossing fingers for magnet.

That is funny/small world! I actually was born and raised in Evanston and moved to Beverly w/ my husband (who is from Mt. Greeenwood) 6 years ago. I went to 12 years of public school and he went to 12 years of Catholic school, so we definately considered our neighborhood parish’s school. However, though many of our neighborhood friends are sending their children to our local Catholic school, we believe that Sutherland is the better school academically and feel that we can still give our son a good faith foundation at home.

Anyway, I really appreciate your perspective. Thank you! Who knows if we’ll get a call from Lenart, but since I hear that if and when it happens we won’t have long to deicde if we want our son to take the spot, we are trying to find out as much as we can ahead of time. I do have a close neighborhood friend who has a child at Lenart and LOVES it. I also know a number of people whose children go to Sutherland and a very pleased too.

Lastly, as you probably know there is another gift school in our neighborhood, Keller, but it doesn’t start until 1st grade. I also know a number of neighborhood friends whose children go there and they LOVE it too. So I am also torn, because if our son were to test into Keller next year for 1st grade we would almost definately send him there. This is in part because we like the location better than Lenart and because from what we have heard about Lenart vs. Keller, Keller seems like a better fit for our son (more “warm and fuzzy” some have described it to us). Which begs the question, what is the best option for Kindergarten for him and how much does it matter… In the end we may not even get a call, so time will tell. I do appreciate the fact that if and when we have a choice to make that it is not a bad position to be in! Thanks again for your feedback!

So funny, I am from the Beverly area and lived in the Sutherland district (but went to a catholic school). I moved to the north side 8 years ago. Sutherland is an excellent school (good scores and nice racial diversity), a few of my friends growing up went there. If you live in Beverly, I would choose Sutherland. But…on the other hand, if you believe your child is really advanced he might get bored with being taught at his grade level, Lenart is a better bet. A good friend of mine’s daughter got into Lenart. She went to the open house and really liked what she heard. She said the teachers seemed like “experts” in their fields and the only thing lacking was an after school program. You have a tough decision, ultimately most people would want to be in your position. Good luck! )