SoCal Good Public School Towns? (San Diego, Anaheim: middle-class, house, neighborhoods)

[B_MA]

I hear a lot about California public schools leaving a lot to be desired, though I certainly cannot say I know the first thing about that statement's veracity. I would like to know whether anyone is raising a family in southern California (L.A. area down to San Diego) and has good things to say about their public schools.

I suppose another way to ask that is: If you had a family to move and wanted / were able to move anywhere in southern California, what place, if any, would you pick in terms of public schools?

Thanks for any comments.

[NYSD1995]

Originally Posted by B_MA

I hear a lot about California public schools leaving a lot to be desired, though I certainly cannot say I know the first thing about that statement's veracity. I would like to know whether anyone is raising a family in southern California (L.A. area down to San Diego) and has good things to say about their public schools.

I suppose another way to ask that is: If you had a family to move and wanted / were able to move anywhere in southern California, what place, if any, would you pick in terms of public schools?

Thanks for any comments.

There are good schools all over CA. The issue is the cost-of-living associated with those communities. So it's not a question of if - it's a question of how.

[B_MA]

Thanks Sassberto.

So I take it you're saying the quality of public education tends to be directly proportional to the wealth / cost of living of a community - basically like any other place in the U.S.

I've had people tell me that even highly pricey towns can have pretty mediocre schools. Hence my question if that is ever not the case.

[NYSD1995]

Originally Posted by B_MA

Thanks Sassberto.

So I take it you're saying the quality of public education tends to be directly proportional to the wealth / cost of living of a community - basically like any other place in the U.S.

I've had people tell me that even highly pricey towns can have pretty mediocre schools. Hence my question if that is ever not the case.

Well LA is a pricey town, but has some of the worst schools and neighborhoods you can imagine. A house in the worst LA neighborhood buys you a mansion in the midwest.

That said it is true that many working-to-middle class areas of California tend to have poor schools compared to other working-to-middle-class areas.

[mono#9]

Here's one way to gather info on this--google US NEWS and World REPORT, click on Education, then when the page comes up, look for Best High Schools on the left of the page. It is then broken down by states and then counties.

[bhcompy]

Los Alamitos/Seal Beach/Rossmoor

Cerritos

Cypress

born and raised in the area and Los Alamitos School District is a good academic district with nationally recognized arts and sports programs. my son currently attends elementary school in the district

That is just one place though, there are many with good schools. Good luck

[B_MA]

Thanks.

I wasn't aware of the US NEWS and World REPORT rankings and they seem to match what bhcompy is saying as well.

[Charles]

To original poster: Conejo Valley School District, Thousand Oaks.

Below is a link I've posted before. A google map of test score performance (for what it's worth). Not available for all states. Re-center for the towns you are interested in.

School Performance Maps

[laysayfair]

Originally Posted by Charles

To original poster: Conejo Valley School District, Thousand Oaks.

Below is a link I've posted before. A google map of test score performance (for what it's worth). Not available for all states. Re-center for the towns you are interested in.

School Performance Maps

I second the Conejo Valley School District in Ventura county.

[missionhome]

I So Cal, communities/ cities with that are well known for good schools:
LA to San Diego
Woodland Hills
Westlake Village
Parts of Simi Valley
Thousands Oaks
Most of Santa Clarita
La Crescenta
la Canada Flintridge
Arcadia
Glendora
Diamond Bar
Redondo Beach
Torrance
The Palos Verde peninsula
Cypress
Los Alamitos
Cerritos
Huntington Beach
Yorba Linda
Anaheim Hills
Irvine
All of Orange County south of Irvine, except San Juan Capistrano
Encinitas
Carlsbad
Poway Unified School District
San Diego Union High School District
La Jolla
Coronado

All of the above are expensive areas though so be ready to shell out over $500k at the minimum for a single family home.