The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) system operates over 640 schools, with GreatSchools ratings ranging dramatically from 2 to 10. The level of disparity in school district quality within the same city is among the highest in major U.S. cities. The neighborhood where you choose to buy a home essentially determines the school your child will attend.

The areas in Chicago with the highest-rated public school districts are Lincoln Park and Lakeview. The assigned Lincoln Elementary School (GreatSchools rating of 9) and Lake View High School are known to be among the top in CPS. However, the median price of single-family homes in Lincoln Park often exceeds $1 million, creating a significant barrier to entry.

The school districts most commonly chosen by Korean families are in the Northwest Side, specifically Edison Park and Norwood Park. Edison Park Elementary (GreatSchools rating in the 8 range) and Norwood Park Elementary (7-8 range) are located in this area, which is praised by the Korean community for its suburban atmosphere and relatively reasonable home prices. The median price for single-family homes in this area ranges from $350,000 to $550,000, about half of what it is in Lincoln Park.

In the Southwest Side, Mount Greenwood is often mentioned as a region where the balance between school districts and home prices is reasonable. Centered around Mount Greenwood Elementary (GreatSchools rating of 8), this area is somewhat distant from downtown Chicago but is located south of Koreatown (around Lawrence Ave), which may affect access to large Korean grocery stores.

When discussing school districts in Chicago, one cannot overlook the selective enrollment schools track. Schools like Walter Payton College Prep, Jones College Prep, and Northside College Prep have GreatSchools ratings of 9-10 and select students based on entrance exams rather than residency. Therefore, even if you live in a low-rated school district, your child can receive a top-tier education if they gain admission to this track. The enrollment rate of Korean families in selective schools is known to significantly exceed the overall CPS average.

Comparing school district premiums based on home prices, the excellent areas of Lincoln Park and Lakeview have median prices over $1 million, while Edison Park and Norwood Park range from $350,000 to $550,000, and some properties in lower-rated districts in the West Side and South Side can be found for under $150,000. There is a structure where home prices within the same city can differ by 6-7 times.

For families choosing Chicago, it is practical to plan for both neighborhood schools and selective enrollment tracks. Along with the ratings of assigned neighborhood schools, preparing your child for the selective school entrance exams from an early age is a common strategy in the Korean community in Chicago. It is essential to check the address-based assigned schools on the CPS official site and to mark the selective school application schedule (usually in October-November) on your calendar in advance.