Where to live for Harker Schools? (San Jose, Sunnyvale: how much, new house, neighborhoods)

[vousita]

Hi all,
Where to live if Harker school is the one we choose for our kids starting from preschool to their high school? Elementary takes 6 years for all our kids, and that is the most important time if they can walk to school in our opinion. However, the houses in 20 minutes walking radius to Harker lower school are quite small in lot size and over all building size. Where do the other Harker families live for young kids that will continue to finish their k-12 in Harker? How much efforts we need to plan ahead if the walking distance is out of picture? Is driving a headache around the school?
Thanks in advance!

[SportyandMisty]

Our daughter graduated from Harker some years ago (she went on to graduate from an Ivy a couple years ago).

At that time, none of her Harker peers or friends lived within walking distance of Bucknall campus. At that time, we lived near Prospect & Stelling (up the hill on Prospect). A few friends lived within Seven Springs. Several others lived in Saratoga just east of Prospect & Stelling. Several lived in Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Palo Alto, even Woodside. Of course, many lived in Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Los Gatos, one in Santa Cruz, and several in San Jose.

Drive-thru morning drop off isn't that big a deal. The Harker Staff organizes it very well. Afternoon pick up can take a bit more time. The staff calls for the child, who comes to the drive-thru pickup area when called. Some parents will park instead of using the drive-thru pick-up, so they can talk to teachers or staff, or search for the inevitable misplaced sweater or backpack.

It is all very well managed. I don't think you'll have any issue.

Moreover, it is common for families to learn to "kid-pool" together, which also helps.

[WillowGlenMom]

Our son is currently a student at the Harker Lower School and we live in Willow Glen. We love it here! It is an extremely nice and walkable neighborhood. There are quite a few Harker families in Willow Glen. It takes about 15-25 minutes to get to school in the morning. My husband works in downtown San Jose, so his commute is less than 5 minutes by car or bike. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have about Harker or different neighborhoods in the South Bay or Peninsula. We moved here two years ago and looked in several different areas before we bought in Willow Glen.

[vousita]

Originally Posted by SportyandMisty

Our daughter graduated from Harker some years ago (she went on to graduate from an Ivy a couple years ago).

At that time, none of her Harker peers or friends lived within walking distance of Bucknall campus. At that time, we lived near Prospect & Stelling (up the hill on Prospect). A few friends lived within Seven Springs. Several others lived in Saratoga just east of Prospect & Stelling. Several lived in Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Palo Alto, even Woodside. Of course, many lived in Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Los Gatos, one in Santa Cruz, and several in San Jose.

Drive-thru morning drop off isn't that big a deal. The Harker Staff organizes it very well. Afternoon pick up can take a bit more time. The staff calls for the child, who comes to the drive-thru pickup area when called. Some parents will park instead of using the drive-thru pick-up, so they can talk to teachers or staff, or search for the inevitable misplaced sweater or backpack.

It is all very well managed. I don't think you'll have any issue.

Moreover, it is common for families to learn to "kid-pool" together, which also helps.

Thank you very much!! We plan to live there for 18 years until our youngest graduate from high school. Try to minimize the time that we will need to spend in the car for three different campuses as they grow older. Like you said if families are scattered in different area, sharing car pool will be challenge. Unless, I find someone who's kid is in grade 2 this year and starting looking houses near their place... charming!!!

[vousita]

Originally Posted by WillowGlenMom

Our son is currently a student at the Harker Lower School and we live in Willow Glen. We love it here! It is an extremely nice and walkable neighborhood. There are quite a few Harker families in Willow Glen. It takes about 15-25 minutes to get to school in the morning. My husband works in downtown San Jose, so his commute is less than 5 minutes by car or bike. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have about Harker or different neighborhoods in the South Bay or Peninsula. We moved here two years ago and looked in several different areas before we bought in Willow Glen.

Hi WillowGlenMom,
I saw your post to other thread too and learned you bought new house when you moved in that area. You have chosen the best place to cover your kid's school and work. My husband will travel between countries for work and we are looking to live as close to the lower school as possible to reduce my work while he is not around. We need to apply for the enrollment for next year. How did you do to prepare? My sons are 7 and 3 this year. Do they provide music class and sports development to young kids? How do they arrange the after school activities if we want the paid classes for piano, violin, or other sports like golf, tennis, basket ball, and swimming?
Thank you in advance!!

[vousita]

Originally Posted by SportyandMisty

Our daughter graduated from Harker some years ago (she went on to graduate from an Ivy a couple years ago).

Moreover, it is common for families to learn to "kid-pool" together, which also helps.

hi SportyandMisty,
Can I ask if the school provide school bus? How did you do when she was in the middle/upper school? You drove for her or she took school bus? When my kids grow older, whey will be in lower/middle/upper schools all at one time for some years. Is there time to pick them up if we do not live by any of the three campuses? If I am lucky to have a big house near by the lower school, I will be much relieved at the first four years, the eldest one is 7 yrs now, before he goes to middle school.

[RussellMoon]

I would not recommend living near the Harker School campuses. They are not in great neighborhoods. Try Los Gatos, Saratoga or Los Altos or other neighborhoods west of Hwy 85.

[ryman554]

Originally Posted by RussellMoon

I would not recommend living near the Harker School campuses. They are not in great neighborhoods. Try Los Gatos, Saratoga or Los Altos or other neighborhoods west of Hwy 85.

What's wrong with the neighborhoods? They are fine, "affordable", family housing. Not great, certainly, but you could do a whole lot worse.

Of course, if you can afford to send kids to Harker, then I suppose one can also afford to live in the areas mentioned above -- but then the public schools there are also top-notch, making Harker a bit of an extravagance.

[Kamato]

Hello everyone,

I m planing to enroll my son to kindergarten Program at Harker this year. Lucky enough we're living in Burlingame. I'm curious that will be difficult -time travels to drop off-pick up from Burlingame to Harker, lower school campus ? Is he too young to commuting by school bus or car pool?
Thanks so much.

[jk88cal]

Originally Posted by Kamato

Hello everyone,

I m planing to enroll my son to kindergarten Program at Harker this year. Lucky enough we're living in Burlingame. I'm curious that will be difficult -time travels to drop off-pick up from Burlingame to Harker, lower school campus ? Is he too young to commuting by school bus or car pool?
Thanks so much.

This is a joke right? Lucky to have to drive child 35 miles (probably 60 minutes in rush hour traffic) enroll child in Kindergarten. Good luck.