"Best" Schools in Greater Bay Area (San Francisco, Oakland: middle-class, home)

[capoeira]

Originally Posted by nmsegal

We're also looking for a community that might have a smaller town feel (not just a suburb with no little town), and has respectable access/public transit to the city and SFO. I hate traffic, especially with kids. We obviously know the area generally is very expensive, but any hidden gems with good schools? Marin freaks me out a bit b/c of the drive. I am also really into seasons and hate the thought of the same weather all year, variety (but sun for my husband) is key. We're basically looking to replicate the Portland experience (progressive, outdoorsy, educated, super family friendly) without the gray and better public schools. Any thoughts? Is there a site that "rates" areas for school in the bay area? any place to start?

The School-ratings site lists the test scores and other info for CA schools. Here are the 9 & 10 rankings. If a 9 is too low you can change the filter to a 10.

California School Ratings - Alameda County

California School Ratings - Contra Costa County

California School Ratings - San Mateo County

Not so hidden gems may include San Carlos on the Peninsula and Castro Valley in the East Bay.

Castro Valley is close to Chabot Park.

San Carlos has a small downtown and is close to a lot of open space preserves.

[EWKMLT]

Originally Posted by nmsegal

i totally realize...no bargains, no hidden gems, it's an "efficient" market, etc. i guess my school question is do you really find the "best" (yes, i know that's a loaded term but you have to start somewhere) schools just by looking at the areas with the highest median home prices? are there any areas that have great schools that would surprise me and vice versa?

couple more questions for anyone kind enough to reply:

does anyone have an opinion whether palo alto/menlo park is more expensive than lamorinda? it's hard to compare not looking apples to apples.

also, since my husband hates gloom (or i think we'd stay in portland forever) -- which parts of the bay area would you avoid, other than SF? are there any in particular (other than those already mentioned) where you might get a lot of sun but also have seasons (to the extent you can in CA).

Stay out of Berkeley. Rain in the "winter", overcast until noon in the summer. Traffic that will make you buy a bicycle and then get it stolen. The down town is not cute, and except for uc berkeley the schools rot.

Lafeyette/moraga/orinda is beautiful but expensive and can be a little uptight. Really beautiful though.

Casro Valley is an old farm town that is trying to maintain its roots while being surrounded and encroached upon by the urban zones. Lots of community, great schools, good weather.

There are only 2 seasons in the bay area sunny season(8mnths) and rainy season(4mnths). The closer you get to the ocean the longer the "fog" will remain over head in the sunny season.
Were moving to VA, good luck in CA.

[humboldtrat]

Originally Posted by capoeira

Not so hidden gems may include San Carlos on the Peninsula

I agree with San Carlos. Good schools, a nice downtown, about 40 minutes to San Francisco on Caltrain, community events such as Hometown Days, a farmers market and an Art & Wine Festival and sunny weather most of the time. Housing in San Carlos is also a bit cheaper than in Palo Alto.

[mattja]

For a SF commute, Lamorinda is probably the best option. It has excellent schools, two BART stations (parking is difficult), and is close to shopping in Walnut Creek. It's considered upscale, and home prices reflect that.

On the Peninsula, maybe San Mateo is a good choice.

One thing about Lamorinda is BART takes you right downtown. For the Peninsula, you take Caltrain to the main station in SOMA and then transfer to a bus. More hassle, for sure.

[sonarrat]

Originally Posted by mattja

For a SF commute, Lamorinda is probably the best option. It has excellent schools, two BART stations (parking is difficult), and is close to shopping in Walnut Creek. It's considered upscale, and home prices reflect that.

On the Peninsula, maybe San Mateo is a good choice.

One thing about Lamorinda is BART takes you right downtown. For the Peninsula, you take Caltrain to the main station in SOMA and then transfer to a bus. More hassle, for sure.

Caltrain will go to the new Transbay Terminal once that's done, so in a few years the hassle will be gone (and Muni will wonder what the hell happened to their ridership).

[emcee187]

ok im from the bay area and have gone to alot of different schools in the east bay area. ok so berkeley high is good for kids who can handle a school with 3900 kids. the best middle school in that area is probaly king middle school in berkeley and the best high school is Piedmonts alternative high school called Millennium High School its small and accepts kids from all over the bay i remember kids going there from vallejo so its preety awsome o and all these schools i mentioned are public

[prairie guy]

nmsegal--Previous suggestions good--San Carlos, Lamorinda, Palo Alto, etc. The key is--how close to SF do you need to be for a comfortable commute? Your initial post ruled out Marin County because of "traffic"--but all of the above are just as long a commute, and even much longer, than from many areas of Marin.

I suggest you re open yourself to that option--if you can afford southern Marin, the commute to downtown SF is as quick as any. The best regarded school districts are south of the San Rafael School District. Just a suggestion to look at wider options. Sudden thought--maybe look at Pacifica, not too much of a town per se, but close to SF wtih decent enough schools. Fog, though.

[N CA]

Piedmont Unified is, by far, the best East Bay school district and has the small-town feel. It's pricey, though. Good access to the Oakland (culture) and BART.

[N CA]

I live in Concord and my children attend schools in Walnut Creek. Our schools are very good. My children attended regular non-competitive preschools because we feel that pre-k is for socialization and enjoyment. My eight-year-old is accelerated and doing quite well. I know someone who placed her kids in a hoity-toity pre-k, and she's just retained both of her kids in elementary school. I also know someone whose children attended Acalanes schools and are utter failures.

Much of your children's success will depend on you and your children.

Pleasant Hill schools tend to be quite good, and Pleasant Hill is a nice, affordable community. Mt. Diablo offers traditional, magnet and charter schools. Many of these schools are doing quite well. They also offer school choice. If you want your child to attend a non-neighborhood school, it's allowed as long as there is room.

[tennis368fan]

I know that Travis Unified School District is very good for the price (starter homes from the 200k's). The only exception is Cambridge Elementary.

Nearby Fairfield and Vacaville both have nice downtowns. Fairfield has a Jelly Belly factory.

It is, however, a bit distant from San Francisco, though it is still in the Bay Area. You could drive into San Francisco (1 hour, non-rush hour) or drive to the Fairfield/Suisun City station to take Capitol Corridor to Richmond BART for a transfer to BART to San Francisco (1 hour 20 min).

Try dq.cde.ca.gov for state ratings on API (out of 1000) and STAR/Similar Schools rankings (out of 10).