The D125 Boundary Explained — Which Addresses Actually Feed Stevenson

This is the single most important thing to understand before buying a home in the Stevenson district: the D125 boundary does not follow city limits, ZIP codes, or subdivision lines. It follows individual tax parcels — and it cuts through towns in ways that no map app will show you correctly.

I've been working in D125 since 2019 and living here since 2015. I cross-reference every address I work with against the official 2025 Lake County GIS map. Here's everything you need to know about how the boundary works.

Why the Boundary Is So Confusing

Most buyers assume that if a home is in Buffalo Grove, it's in D125. Or that a 60047 ZIP code means Stevenson. Neither is true. The D125 boundary was drawn at the parcel level — meaning individual lots, not neighborhoods or city limits — and it has been adjusted multiple times over the decades as the district's geography evolved.

The 13 Communities — and Their Boundary Status

According to the official 2025 Lake County GIS/Mapping Division map (Map 26-192, Revised 2025), D125 includes portions of 13 communities. Only three are fully inside the boundary. The other ten are partially inside — meaning some addresses qualify and others don't, sometimes on the same street.

The ZIP Code Trap

ZIP 60047 is the clearest example of why ZIP codes can't be trusted. It covers Long Grove (100% D125), Kildeer (portions D125), Hawthorn Woods (portions D125), and Lake Zurich (mostly NOT D125). One ZIP code — four completely different situations.

If you search Zillow for "60047 homes" expecting Stevenson enrollment, you'll see hundreds of listings. A significant portion of them will give your children Lake Zurich High School — not Stevenson.

How the Boundary Was Drawn

The D125 boundary follows tax parcel lines — the same lines that determine property taxes. When the district was originally drawn and subsequently updated, it was done parcel by parcel, not by city or neighborhood. This is why you can have one side of a street in D125 and the other side in a different district.

The authoritative source is the Lake County GIS/Mapping Division's Map 26-192, revised in 2025. This is the map I use for every address verification I do. It's publicly available at gis.lakecountyil.gov.

The Three Ways to Verify an Address

1. Lake County GIS map — gis.lakecountyil.gov. Look up the specific parcel and cross-reference with the D125 boundary layer. This is the most accurate method but requires some GIS literacy.
2. Contact D125 directly — d125.org. The district office can confirm enrollment eligibility for a specific address. Allow 1-2 business days for a response.
3. Ask Shilpa — fastest option. I've looked up hundreds of D125 addresses and can usually verify within hours. I use the 2025 GIS map as my reference. Use my address verification tool →

Buffalo Grove — The Most Complex Case

Buffalo Grove deserves its own section because it generates the most boundary confusion in the district. It's the largest source of D125 homes by volume — but a significant portion of Buffalo Grove feeds Stevenson Hills High School (not Stevenson D125) or other districts.

Within the D125 portion of Buffalo Grove, there's a further complication: your address may fall under either Aptakisic-Tripp D102 or Kildeer-Countryside D96. Both sender districts feed Stevenson, but your children will attend different elementary and middle schools depending on which district your parcel falls under.

The Bottom Line

If you're buying a home in D125 — especially in a partial community — do not assume. Do not trust ZIP codes. Do not rely on a listing agent's verbal confirmation. Get the parcel-level verification in writing before you make an offer.

I do this for every client I work with. It takes me minutes. It protects you from one of the most expensive mistakes a D125 buyer can make.