San Clemente Elementary Schools (Concord, Vista: to rent, home, to buy)

[sadiepie]

My family will be relocating to San Clemente this summer. We have a dtr who will start first grade in the fall. She currently attends a small private school with a nontraditional learning environment. Lots of hands on learning, warm family like environment and tons of outdoor activities.

She will be attending public school in San Clemente and I realize that most of the schools are rated very well academically but I am trying to ease the transition for her by finding a school with a vibe that is the best fit. She is bright and outgoing but certainly not used to large schools or traditional teaching styles. She now has 2 teachers to 22 students.

We need to rent a home at first and then plan to buy within a year or so. We want to keep her in the same school once we buy.

We are drawn to south San Clemente, but are concerned that rental/purchase options are more limited. Budget is 3000 rent or 650K house.

Concordia seems similar to the school she attends now. Any thoughts on Concordia vs Vista Del Mar vs Benedict from some parents out there???

Does the open enrollment actually exist since it is dependent on "space" and schools are crowded??

Please help!! Thanks