Hoffman Estates, IL, United States

This suburb northwest of Chicago may seem like a nice, quiet place, but the numbers tell a different story. Hoffman Estates High School, the most diverse non-charter public high school in Illinois, has a student population of over 2,000 - nearly half of whom qualify for free or reduced-price lunches. And while the school has achieved some academic accolades, it has struggled to meet federal education standards in recent years. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with the school failing to make "Adequate Yearly Progress" on key tests. But the real x-factor is diversity - Hoffman Estates is home to a melting pot of races and ethnicities, which can be an opportunity or a challenge depending on your perspective. For those seeking an affordable, integrated community outside the city, Hoffman Estates may be worth a look. But it's not all sunshine and roses.