Avoca West Elementary School

235 Beech Drive

School District

Avoca 37
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:8
Type

public

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on February 13, 2024

My child didn’t have a good experience here. This school doesn’t do anything about the bullying, in their grade and it’s been 4 or 5 weeks and nobody has said anything. Another thing that didn’t give my child a good experience here is the math curriculum and homework. The homework the children receive take less than five minutes to do since they only hand out a single piece of paper instead of packets and multiple sheets of homework. The math curriculum is poor and they need to step it up a notch. It’s to easy for my children and I’m sure others. I wouldn’t recommend this school because they have good teachers but also sour teachers. The good teachers are to easy on the students and whenever kids whisper in class they don’t care. The sour teachers are more strict on students. I’m concerned about the bullying and homework mostly especially that they don’t teach enough about money at this school, I asked my child “ what is “25x8” and they didn’t know. Kids at this school get made fun of here and it’s not cool because nobody does anything! I wouldn’t recommend moving in the area to go to this school.
Submitted by parent on August 11, 2022

I would highly recommend Avoca West Elementary School. The teachers and administration are invested in teaching the whole child and go above and beyond the basics of just giving an education. Every teacher that my children have had has been wonderful and helped my children enjoy coming to school every day. This small, diverse population of students allows my children to feel comfortable with who they are and supported academically, socially, and emotionally. This is a phenomenal New Trier feeder school and we feel so lucky to live in this district.
Submitted by parent on March 28, 2022

It's so bad that we enrolled our kid in private school! Our child is very bright but has ADHD which can affect his learning. The teachers and the administration kept insisting that he was doing fine and he didn't need extra help or accommodations even though he was falling further behind and losing self-esteem. By the time we pulled him out he was two grade levels behind and developing school anxiety!! Recently we learned that the Avoca school district has been operating with a deficit and had cut the budget on intervention programs, teacher training, and special education services which explains a lot. We know too many Avoca families that have had to take legal action or move to other North Shore districts just to get decent support services for their kids. The administration is next-level incompetent.
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2022

Mediocre. Poorly run. Should be better based on the high taxes.
Submitted by parent on May 03, 2021

We love AW!! It’s been such a wonderful new school year especially since our son is transferring into a new school. First started as remote then quickly switched over to hybrid and now 5 days a week.
Submitted by other on April 28, 2021

Overall this school is very poor,1. They do not educate, What they do at this School is indoctrinate kids with progressive and socialist left wing ideas, Which makes children feel bad about themselves and want to hate America.2. Kids here get very physical and on top of each other, even during right now, when were all supposed to be social distancing due to covid- 19.And while you may think that the teachers would help stop it, what they actually do is just let it keep going.So with this being said if you are thinking about moving in this area be sure not to send your kids to this school.
Submitted by parent on February 04, 2021

I currently have two students in the Avoca district. It is a fantastic school, in our experience. I would highly recommend the schools to anyone looking for hands on, supportive, challenging, welcoming and progressive learning environments. Our students have two completely different personalities and learning styles, yet both have found a level of success that I would hope they would have. Both have received helpful and constructive teacher conference reports as well as report cards. Both have utilized various resources at their disposal whether it be extra help before school or after or at lunch time, and when needed have each been able to get the support to problem solve and become better learners. Additional, the various specials offered are engaging and worthwhile. Like I would expect of any school, the success of an individual student (based appropriately by age) lies in part on the students and their efforts and personal growth, but the Avoca teachers and staff have shown to promote this and be available to guide the students to this success.
Submitted by parent on October 30, 2020

Some years years were ok if a child was assigned a good teacher. Other years were a complete waste. All years were a struggle with ineffective administration.
Submitted by parent on January 26, 2018

Our first and last year at this school. I cannot wrap my head around the lack of homework or the seriousness of keeping a consistent math program. Their seems to be a lack of continuity between the superintendent and reality. The teachers have it really easy here and should put more emphasis on teaching in general.
Submitted by parent on June 02, 2017

Wonderful community, great principal, safe and nurturing environment.
Submitted by parent on April 30, 2016

I have two children attending Avoca and we have come in from out of state this year. I am amazed at the hunger my kids have to learn, and the amount of new skills they have mastered in less than a year, and the awesome staff I interact with. It seems like everyone knows my kids' names even though we are a new family. My son has a teacher who is young and relatively new to the school and she is PHENOMENAL. I have much respect for the principal who is incredibly down to earth and approachable. I have had my kids at both public and private schools and Avoca stands out as the best education decision we have made. From the arts, to reading enrichment services, chess, the school grounds, and the surrounding community, it's all pretty surreal!
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2016

Administration and Board are out of touch with what is going on in the classrooms. Teaching staff is young and inexperienced.
Submitted by parent on December 07, 2015

Avoca West is practically like a small private school for my kids. The teachers are at the height of their teaching powers. In addition to being great at teaching the core subjects, Avoca offers many many free (or low cost) extracurricular activities for the kids outside of school hours - a great strings program starting at 1st grade, Maker's Club, running club, chess club, choir, homework club, etc. etc. etc. I thank my lucky stars weekly that we moved into this school district!
Submitted by parent on October 20, 2014

You cant go wrong with this school. Very dedicated staff and very supportive community. The new principal is bringing lot of new and positive changes to improve more and make it a safer and positive experience for our kids.
Submitted by parent on June 23, 2014

We could not be happier with Avoca West. I believe the staff goes above and beyond for the kids at school, and for this reason my kids quickly "caught up" after moving in from another district. All the extras of this school district make it a great place to be.