<p>Were shocked when moved here at how huge the high schools are. AT first, we KNEW we wanted to be in the Naperville school district because of test scores, write-ups, friends of friends, etc. My husband got his relo apt. there and he got familiar with the area. The traffic ANYWHERE in Naperville is horrific, but he decided it was worth it for our children’s education. We contacted the Naperville districts’ high schools and middle schools to arrange a visit and they told us it was against their policy unless we owned property in the district first – even tho he had an apartment. Unbelievable! We came up with some creative ideas to get inside anyway through friends, finding out when open houses were, etc. Our children were overwhelmed by the huge schools and the attitute of the students. We then went a bit further west to Geneva, IL. The schools are much smaller, closer to what the kids were used to. The counselor at the high school totally embraced our daughter. The kids were friendly. The scores and course selections were not as great as we were used to in one of Ohio’s top-rated districts; but the scores were very solid. (Geneva does not teach to the test as we have been told our past school and “others” do is what we have noticed as being the biggest factor in test scores here. Our kids actually have gotten a better education here, though.) Our daughter was able to play her sport even though she arrived 2nd semester and was new there. Our 6th grader was able to ride his bike downtown to the candy store, Graham’s for ice cream, fish along the dam on the Fox River (lovely), and felt a freedom he never had before. There was a lot to be involved in. It’s a very nurturing community and school district, a solid education for all students: gifted, “normal”, those needing a bit of extra help. Not only this, but it is a GREAT place to raise kids. Small town feel with out the small town mentality. Only a little over an hour from downtown Chicago by train. Special town celebrations. Safe. Only thing our kids missed was ethnic diversity. Pretty homogoneous here. Ellen DeGeneres’s show featured Geneva as one of the top two “Picture Perfect” communities on a show in December '08. I think you can still find clips on YouTube. I would recommend buying as close to downtown as possible as opposed to Mill Creek. It enables you to walk with your children, use the great community swimming/exercise facility more easily, etc. Our oldest is now in college and was accepted into each of her selective choices. However, our second child has decided he will most likely go to Waubonsee Community College for his first two years. This is a county school with a great reputation. You can get many of your classes out of way and then smoothly transition into a solid 4-year school – for much, much less money. I hope this helps, and wish you the best with your move.</p>