Which is the best school district in the Bay area? (San Jose: rental homes, condo)

[florencenewcomer]

Our kids are 11, 9 & 3. So we need to live in a school district with award winning elementary and high schools. What neighborhoods do you recommend? Any good charter / magnet schools ( our kids are genuine Montessori educated but we don't want to pay school fees). We also like ares near parks, libraries, groceries/ markets, theater etc. We prefer biking / public transportation. Pls be honest and mention even the pricier neighbourhoods (yikes). We need the full picture. We are desperately 'running away" from the South(had enough of the prejudice). Please help. All opinions & suggestions welcome. Thanks

[fizbin]

Pls be honest and mention even the pricier neighbourhoods (yikes).

Pretty much all of the good public school systems are in pricey neighborhoods. Being an East Bay guy I'd point you towards Piedmont and Lamorinda (local-speak for Lafayette, Moraga and Orinda). There are other good public school systems in other parts of the Bay Area. Note that most public school systems out here are not good, victims of the unequal collection and distibution of taxes.

[Ultrarunner]

Acquaintances have sold and relocated from very nice homes to move either to Piedmont or Orinda...

Don't know much about Orinda... but, Piedmont has been knows for exceptional schools for as long as I can remember.

[sonarrat]

The top rated school in all of California is Lowell High in San Francisco. It's entrance by examination only; the other schools in the city are on a lottery system. The best schools tend to be in the Avenues on the west side of town, and make no mistake, they are very strong.

Burlingame, Millbrae, Palo Alto, Cupertino, and Los Altos have stellar public schools at every level in any part of town. The part of Saratoga with Saratoga schools is stellar. Mission San Jose district of Fremont is up there as well, and so are the Almaden and Evergreen Villages areas in San Jose.

None of these areas are affordable for most, even if you can accept a condo or townhouse, which with your family size doesn't sound palatable. These are the areas where you can typically buy, even in non-bubble environments, only if you've already spent some time building up equity in a starter in the Bay Area or other expensive area.

[capoeira]

Mission San Jose High (API 931) in Fremont outscores both Miramonte High(API 916) in Orinda and Piedmont High(API 912). The Mission San Jose area has some of the best schools in California. It is also less expensive than some of the other elite areas.

Mission San Jose High: Best High Schools - USNews.com

[clongirl]

Yes, the "Acalanes School District" has excellent schools..as mentioned in the previous posts (Lafayette, Orinda, Moraga). Also, the "Mt Diablo school district" in Walnut Creek, and of course parts of the Peninsula, and Marin, and I think there are supposed to be good schools in parts of Fremont, and of course Piedmont (I'm not personally familiar w/ names though)

Firstly, you need to ask how much you and your husband can afford. Also, where will you be working..a long horrible commute will destroy spirits (speaking from experience here)! These two things will determine where you choose to live. All the other things like libraries, parks, shopping will be pretty much available wherever you go.

Generally, the better the schools, the pricier to live/rent. Many of the parents in these areas actually "donate" a good deal of money for all the budget shortcomings and extras like art/science programs which most public schools have had to cut.

[Ultrarunner]

Originally Posted by clongirl

Yes, the "Acalanes School District" has excellent schools..as mentioned in the previous posts (Lafayette, Orinda, Moraga). Also, the "Mt Diablo school district" in Walnut Creek, and of course parts of the Peninsula, and Marin, and I think there are supposed to be good schools in parts of Fremont, and of course Piedmont (I'm not personally familiar w/ names though)

Firstly, you need to ask how much you and your husband can afford. Also, where will you be working..a long horrible commute will destroy spirits (speaking from experience here)! These two things will determine where you choose to live. All the other things like libraries, parks, shopping will be pretty much available wherever you go.

Generally, the better the schools, the pricier to live/rent. Many of the parents in these areas actually "donate" a good deal of money for all the budget shortcomings and extras like art/science programs which most public schools have had to cut.

Very true... there is strong parental support at all levels.

Even the top Oakland Public Schools have strong parental support... When my friends daughter was attending one and the school didn't have the money to re-roof the gym... the parents got together and paid for the job...

Piedmont has assessments that parents regularly pay for activities... I don't know what would happen if you couldn't pay... but parents do contribute a lot.

[florencenewcomer]

Don't mean to get soppy on you all, but you are all very good people. Thank you for advising us. Is there a website or a source besides craig's list that one can go to search for homes to rent? Perhaps one with pictures. Also, Please specify the names of the schools(elementary & high) that you recommend.

[fizbin]

Piedmont has just one high school and one middle school, along with three elementary schools. All are excellent. And yes, the parents are leaned on to pony up special funding and most do, but there is no penalty for not paying.

Piedmont, California - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[artemis78]

Try realtors' websites---many are listing rental homes these days given the down market. I know Grubb (Welcome Home to the Grubb Company) has a number of rentals listed in the East Bay right now. You can also try going through the universities if you have an affiliation with any of them.

Like others have said, though, you need to determine where jobs are first---Piedmont and Cupertino are a long way apart, for instance, and would make for very different commutes. If jobs are in SF, your options are pretty open along Caltrain and BART; if jobs are in Silicon Valley, look to the Peninsula or South Bay. If jobs are in Oakland or other East Bay cities, stay in the East Bay. People can probably give you some specific schools if you narrow the geographic range a bit---there's a lot out there.