Lake Bluff Elementary School

350 West Washington Avenue

School District

Lake Bluff Esd 65
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:12
Type

public

School Map for Lake Bluff Esd 65 School District

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 April 11, 2021

Recent administrative changes have resulted in great improvement of the district overall. The district's Covid-response plan was the best of any district in the area. The new Director of Student Services is a huge improvement from the previous administrator. Some educational programming definitely needs to be updated, but overall this district is moving in a positive direction.
Submitted by parent on October 22, 2018

Very disappointed with the IEP process including the principal and director of curriculum. Disorganized data, poor judgement, and dishonesty created a lot of uncertainty for me and had I not been divorced I would have pulled all my kids from their program. Despite having some qualified teachers, the school lacks any qualified special-ed presence and is quick to send kids off to NSSED for evaluation and relocation to a co-op. Being in special-ed myself I have some experience with this and the only word that comes to mind is unprofessional. With a couple kids in the system still, it is my hope that this school will change admin and hopefully have a more effective approach to all their special-ed kids with the goal being inclusion and retention rather than sending the kids off to another location when their resources are tapped. LBES relies heavily upon NSSED, problem being NSSED only has so many people to go around. Having a qualified sped department would greatly improve this school in many aspects from interior training to student retention and success.
Submitted by parent on February 26, 2016

The person who claimed LBES was not a good school for academically advanced students is either way out of date or is holding a personal grudge about something. This school and its staff are incredibly responsive to academically advanced students. There are quarterly meetings between parents and Enrichment programming staff, along with ongoing communication from teachers, curriculum coordinators, and the principal. Student need at both special education and accelerated education levels is constantly being monitored and new channels of instruction are being instituted in the classrooms in order to capture students with a wide variety of learning styles. The use of technology at LBES enhances the school day. Mrs. St Claire, the principal, is an absolute gem, and she strikes that perfect balance between being professionally astute and personally invested in the students. We've had two teachers here so far and both far exceeded our expectations for communication and support. The art, physical education, social work, and especially music programs at LBES are incredibly well developed. We could not be happier that we send our son to LBES and feel he is getting a private academy-level education here.
Submitted by parent on January 19, 2015

Our child loves this school. We came from private school to LBES and have not regretted it. We've seen a big leap with math and reading, our teacher and principal are very responsive, and we love the community aspect of the school.
Submitted by other on May 06, 2014

Fun, kind, neat, clean, and bully free! I feel that all schools should be this way!
Submitted by parent on August 17, 2013

I rated LBES as average because if you have an average kid, you'll probably be happy here. If you have an academically advanced child, take them elsewhere. And in fact, that's what LBES wants you to do, so that they don't have to worry about upsetting the wealthy locals by adding a program that their child might not qualify for. Dr Sophie and Ms Trahanas openly admit that they'd rather offend the parents of gifted children than offend the parents that write the fundraising checks, and that is why I withdrew both of my children this summer. The school itself is great, with caring and skilled teachers. They have done a great job adjusting to the constant changes in principals and superintendents, and the endless bickering of the local penny pinching millionaires who don't think they deserve to make a living wage. If I'd known what I do now I'd have moved to Lake Forest instead where they have so many more program options. Plus, the taxes are lower ;)
Submitted by other on May 18, 2013

my school is fun but you know what i go green at home you know what i whent green 5/18/13 i have some picushers see...