If you’re considering a move to Evanston, Illinois—especially with children or planning for school-age kids—here’s an important update: the local public school district is actively evaluating closures and reassignments of elementary schools. It’s a big story for buyers, families, and the community.
The Evanston/Skokie School District 65 is facing a structural budget shortfall of approximately $10 to $15 million by 2027. (ABC7 Chicago)
One of the strategies on the table: closing between zero and four schools as part of the “Phase III: School Closures” planning hub. (Evanston-Skokie School District 65)
Schools being named in closure-scenarios include King Arts Complex, Kingsley Elementary School, Lincolnwood Elementary School, while others like Washington Elementary School and Dawes Elementary School are also under discussion. (ABC7 Chicago)
The district is using data-driven “scorecards” that include enrollment/utilization rates, building functionality, and cost of operations to evaluate each school. (Evanston-Skokie School District 65)
This isn’t the first time Evanston has seen school closures; past decades saw neighborhood schools shuttered, which has left a legacy of concern in the community. (The Daily Northwestern)
If you’re looking to purchase in Evanston, here are the school-related factors you’ll want to consider and how they might impact your decision:
1. Neighborhood school stability & value
Schools often anchor neighborhoods—closures or boundary changes can affect perceived stability. If you’re buying with the intent to stay long-term and value neighborhood schools, this is a factor worth knowing.
2. Planning for families or future resale
If children are part of your plan, staying ahead of reassignment possibilities or school consolidations helps you make informed decisions. And from a resale perspective, homes in strong attendance zones often maintain appeal—though that’s not guaranteed.
3. Understanding boundaries & school choice
Because the district uses boundary maps and has multiple magnet programs (e.g., Two-Way Immersion, African Centered Curriculum) the exact school your child ends up attending may vary depending on what’s decided in the closure process. (Evanston-Skokie School District 65)
4. Community and neighborhood impact
School closures can affect community dynamics—commute, neighbor relations, property use, and even traffic patterns. It’s part of what makes a neighborhood feel stable or uncertain. Local stakeholders have voiced that closing schools historically “splits up” neighborhoods. (The Daily Northwestern)
Here’s a quick timeline and some action items if you’re actively looking or thinking of buying in Evanston:
Timeline: The district’s Phase III hub shows scenarios ready for review, and decisions could come in the nearer-term. (Evanston-Skokie School District 65)
Check your address: Use the district’s boundary map tool to see what your future school zone might be—especially under different closure scenarios. (Evanston-Skokie School District 65)
Ask questions: When you tour a home or speak with your agent, ask about school utilization, future boundary changes, and how the community views the schools in the area.
Think long-term: If your time frame is 5–10+ years, try to understand how school stability aligns with your family and investment goals.
Community feedback: Attend or review past public meetings of the district to get a feel for community sentiment and how responsive the district is to parent/stakeholder input.
Evanston remains a highly desirable location for families thanks to its culture, lake-access, transit options, and its public schools. But like many mature communities, it’s facing the reality of enrollment shifts and building-cost pressures.
If you’re buying here and schools matter to your lifestyle or investment, it pays to do the homework. With informed planning, you can still find great homes in strong neighborhoods—but it’s smart to factor in possible school scenario changes as part of your decision-making.
