In 2015, my family packed up and moved to a new district. Not because of a job. Not because we needed a bigger house. We moved specifically because of Stevenson High School — and I want to give you the most honest answer I can about whether it was worth it.
I'm a real estate agent who works exclusively in District 125. I also have two kids who went through Stevenson from freshman year to graduation. So when families ask me "is Stevenson really worth moving for," I'm not answering as an agent trying to sell them a house. I'm answering as a parent who lived it.
The short answer is: yes — but not for every family, and not without understanding what you're actually signing up for.
Stevenson High School — officially Adlai E. Stevenson High School, District 125 — is ranked #1 in Illinois by Niche (2025) and #8 by US News & World Report (2024). It has an A+ overall grade on Niche, with A+ in Academics, Teachers, College Prep, Clubs & Activities, Resources, and Administration.
But numbers only tell part of the story. Here's what I observed as a parent.
Stevenson is academically intense. 74% of students take AP courses — that means nearly three in four of your child's peers are in advanced coursework. The culture is competitive, and students are expected to take their education seriously.
For students who thrive in that environment, Stevenson is exceptional. My kids loved it. The teachers are engaged, the AP programs are rigorous, and the expectation of college preparation is built into every aspect of the school.
For students who find that pressure difficult, Stevenson can feel overwhelming. It is not a school where below-average effort goes unnoticed. If your child needs a slower pace or a more nurturing academic environment, that's worth knowing before you move.
"The environment is competitive — students push each other. My kids came home genuinely challenged. That was the whole point of moving here."
— Shilpa Nallapati, D125 resident since 2015Stevenson's performing arts program is nationally recognized. Theater, orchestra, band, and choir all operate at a level you'd expect from a top-tier school. Niche gives Clubs & Activities an A+. If your child is interested in performing, this school will challenge and develop them.
Athletics are strong — Niche gives Sports an A. Multiple varsity programs, good facilities, and a competitive culture. It is not a school where athletics are an afterthought.
Here's the thing most families don't know when they start researching Stevenson: the high school is the destination, but there are six completely separate elementary districts that feed it. Your home address determines which sender district you're in — which determines which elementary and middle school your children attend before Stevenson.
Zillow shows "Stevenson High School" as the high school for D125 homes. It does not show you which elementary your child will attend. That requires knowing your sender district — which requires knowing your exact address and the D125 boundary.
Not every address in Buffalo Grove, Mundelein, or Vernon Hills is in D125. The boundary follows individual tax parcels, not city limits. Two homes on the same street can be in different districts. Use Shilpa's boundary verification tool →
We moved to D125 when our kids were approaching school age. We had researched the rankings, visited the district, and made a deliberate decision. Here's what I tell families who ask me the same question we asked ourselves:
Both my kids graduated from Stevenson. I have no regrets about the move. But I went in with clear eyes — and I want every family considering D125 to do the same.
Shilpa moved here for Stevenson. She knows the boundary, the sender districts, the communities, and what the experience is actually like. Start with a conversation — no pressure, no commitment.
Talk to Shilpa →