How to Pick a School District
There are 839 school districts in Illinois. You would love to work in many of them, but might
feel very uncomfortable in others. How do you intelligently decide where to apply? We think it’s
essential to narrow down your search to only those school districts that are a good match for you
based on a small group of important factors. Here are factors we think you should consider:
Location
They say location is the most important factor in real estate. It’s also important in
deciding where you want to work and live. Do you love big city life or would you rather live in a
small town in a rural area? Do you need to be close to a major university so you can pursue an
advanced degree? Or do you want to live near relatives or close friends?
Size of District
Do you want to work in a small school system where you know everyone by first name or would
you rather work in a large district with the chance to teach dozens of different classes?
Type of Student Body
Are you looking for a highly academic setting where the vast majority of students attend
four-year colleges? Would you prefer a school district that emphasizes its sports programs? Would
you feel more comfortable teaching students of varying ability levels?
Diversity
How important is diversity to you? Do you want a diverse student body that reflects the
larger world? Do you want to work in a school system that has a strong commitment to diversity?
Teaching Staff
Does it matter if you are the youngest teacher on a veteran staff? How many teachers will be
retiring from the district in the future? A sizable turnover creates more job security and also
means you will be able to teach favorite courses early in your career.
School Climate
How well do people get along in the district? Do teachers and students respect each other? Do
parents treat teachers as professionals? Is there a history of labor problems or teacher strikes?
Financial Outlook of District
Is the school district in financial trouble? Do they have the resources to provide everything
you will need in your classroom to be successful? Could your job be in jeopardy if there need to be
cutbacks in future years?
Professional Support
Is there visible support for teachers? Does the district have an orientation program to help
you adjust to your new position? Will you have a mentor? If you experience problems in your first
year will administrators work with you to help you grow professionally? Will you be given the
opportunity to attend conferences and workshops?
Teaching Assignment
Will you be given five sections of remedial classes to teach for the rest of your career or
will you be given the chance to teach a variety of classes?
Chances are you will not make a decision based on one factor, but a variety of factors. To
make a thoughtful decision, you will need to carefully research school districts. This can best be
done through accessing their website, obtaining materials from the school district main office, and
asking current staff members or community members about the district. More information makes for an
easier and more informed final decision.