napa/sonoma schools? (Los Angeles, Oakland, Santa Rosa: budget, job, moving)

[karelise]

does anyone have any thoughts on the quality of napa and sonoma public schools - any or all grade levels?

thank you.

[prairie guy]

Karelise, if you are referring to the COUNTIES, this is an enormous area--Napa County and Sonoma County combined have maybe 800,000 population with everything from gang-infested urban neighborhoods to ag-oriented villages, and cold beaches to baked inland areas. Newcomers are then sometimes confused that there are two TOWNS also named Napa and Sonoma, which are in turn rather different. Can you be more specific--which communities? Where will you need to work/find a job/commute to? What is your budget? Also, search previous threads for more info about schools, if you haven't.

[karelise]

hi, thank you for clarifying.

I'm looking at schools in Napa (town) and surrounding areas like American Canyon, etc. (but not Santa Rosa). I'm also looking at Healdsburg in Sonoma County. Definitely low end of the budget so not Sebastopol or St. Helena.

I lived in Oakland and now in Los Angeles. We are considering moving back up to work in the wine idustry but our budget is on the low side of things. I thought I've heard negative things about Napa ( the town) schools and can't get a full picture on school websites. Any info on Napa and Healdsburg schools would be much appreciated!

[prairie guy]

Hi OP

I'm not the best source on schools, but from what I've heard, schools there are likely the same as in southern california for people who can't afford to buy in the top school districts--some are "doable," some pretty good, some you want to avoid.

I've heard bad things about Napa Valley USD schools, but that said, a local elementary school may be just fine (American Canyon is in that school district, I know).

Healdsburg and Sonoma are very pleasant burgs and each has only one high school, so they are smaller districts which I would say is a plus. But of course you'd want to check them out. Santa Rosa schools you'd have to "buy" into the nicer neighborhoods to have any sense of peace with the local school, IMHO.

Doubt you can buy into the highly regarded districts of St. Helena, Calistoga or Kenwood (K-8 only that one) but would be a coup if you stumbled onto something.

Of course, numeorus very good charter/alternative/private schools pop up all the time, so there's plenty to consider. Good luck and I hope others can offer a little more insight.