Crestwood is a village of about 11,000 21 miles south of downtown Chicago along the Cal-Sag waterway. Commercial development includes the new RiverCrest development, which includes a large retail center. Recreational opportunities include the programs of the village recreation department. Most grade school-aged children attend district 130 schools, the remainder are served by districts 128, 142, and 143. Secondary students go to High School District 218 schools. (See below for details on schools).

Transportation needs are served by area highways (I-294/Tri-State Tollway, I-80), and major local roads (Rt. 12/20, Rt. 43 - Harlem Ave., Rt. 50 - Cicero Ave.). Commuter service to downtown is provided by Metra in Blue Island, Midlothian, and Oak Forest. Travel time to the downtown Chicago station is about 42 minutes. Local bus service is available from PACE. The RTA Travel Info. Number is 1-800-972-7000.

Village Hall: 708-371-4800 NICOR: 708-756-0450

Commonwealth Edison: 1-800-334-7661 Ameritech (Phone): 1-800-942-8163.

Fire Dept. For emergencies, 708-385-5131 (Same for police). Otherwise, 708-371-4805

Public Library: 4955 W,. 135th. St. 708-4371-4090

Litle Company of Mary Hospital: 708-422-6200 Christ Medical Center: 708-425-8000

Palos Community Hospital: 708-460-5300 St. Francis Hospital: 708-597-2000

10701 Kilpatrick Ave.

Oak Lawn, IL 60453

708-424-2000

School System Statistics: See table below.

District-Wide Programs: Computer Literacy, Art Instruction, Music Instruction, P.E. Classes, Band, Chorus, Sports, Gifted Program, Counseling, Foreign Language, Hot Lunch Program, Extra-Curricular Activities, Special Education, English as a Second Language (ESL).

Features: Art Room/Area, Music Room/Area, Computer(s)/Computer Lab(s), Gym(s), Auditorium/Stage, Outdoor Stadium/Arena,

Library, Cafeteria.

Personnel: Teachers in academic curriculum areas, plus Art, Music, P.E., Library, Vocational Education (including Computer Science), Special Education, Guidance, Social Work, Gifted/Talented, Nurse.

Curriculum/Courses: Math, Science, English, Social Studies, Art, Music, P.E., Vocational Education.

Honors/AP Courses: Math, Science, English, Foreign Language, Social Science, History.

Extras: Hot Lunch, Field Trips, Transportation.

Extracurricular: Sports, Orchestra, Band, Chorus, School Clubs, Theater/Drama.

IGAP Test Scores (Average): See table below.

Eisenhower High. 12700 Sacramento Ave., Blue Island, IL 60406, 708-597-6300.

Richards High School. 10601 Central Ave., Oak Lawn, IL 60453, 708-499-2550.

Shepard High School. 13049 S. Ridgeland Ave., Palos Heights, IL 60463, 708-597-6300.

All IGAP Test Scores are from the '96/'97 school year.

12300 Greenwood Ave.

Blue Island, IL 60406

708-385-6800

School System Statistics: See table below.

District-Wide Programs: Early Childhood, Tutoring, Hot Lunch Program, Special Education, P.E. Classes, Art Instruction, Music Instruction, Computer Literacy, English as a Second Language (ESL).

Features: Gym(s), Library, Auditorium/Stage, Cafeteria, Computer(s)/Computer Lab(s), Music Room/Area, Art Room/Area, Outdoor Playground (Grades K-5).

Personnel: Teachers in academic curriculum areas, plus Art, Music, P.E., Special Education, Library.

Curriculum: Math, Science, Language Arts, Social Studies, Art, Music, P.E.

Extras: Hot Lunch, Field Trips, Transportation.

Extracurricular: Band, Orchestra, Sports (through park district), Chorus.

Extracurricular (Middle School): Band, Orchestra, Sports (through park district), Chorus.

IGAP Test Scores (Average): See table below.

District Schools (Crestwood only):

Nathan Hale Middle. 5220 135th. St., Crestwood, IL 60445, 708-385-6690.

Nathan Hale Intermediate. 5312 135th. St., Crestwood, IL 60445, 708-385-6110.

Nathan Hale Primary. 5324 135th. St., Crestwood, IL 60445, 708-385-4690.