Good Schools - Not Good Test Scores (San Jose, Fremont: homes, school districts)

[dede.curry]

We are an American family living in the UK. We lived in the Bay Area about 10 years ago, but have not been in the area much recently. We are relocating to the Bay Area in the next 6 weeks and are struggling to find a nice area to live. If we won the lottery tomorrow, I would live in Palo Alto, given that will not happen, we are looking for a great small town feel, walkable, affordable (less than $1 million) area with good schools, and less than 1 hour commute to 237/880 interchange.

The most important part for us, is narrowing down the schools. (We have three children, 14 and 11 year old will go to school and our 6 year old will continue to home school). BUT, for our family good schools do NOT equal good test scores (it is well documented that good test scores are a result of the socio-economic environment and less a function of the school). Therefore, we are looking for a good school district that focuses less on test scores and more on creating well rounded adults. Ideally,
1) homework will not ruin our family life
2) life experience and project based learning is encouraged and text books are not the sole focus
3) children and teachers work together based on mutual respect
4) test scores are not the emphasis

I am open to any and all recommendations (public schools preferred, but will consider private).

We are considering Pleasanton, San Carlos, Willow Glen - but would love to consider others. Where do you live? What to you like or dislike about it?

Many thanks in advance for your assistance.

Kind regards,
De De

[SportyandMisty]

You might consider Los Gatos, Saratoga, Los Altos and even Mountain View and Cupertino.
Also, you might consider living where you want & going with private schools which of course free you up from specific school districts.

[RD2]

Hi DeDe, - love to hear what you are finding out, I've been wondering the same thing. We are in New Zealand, originally from California, looking to move back in the next few months with a 5 year old and 7 year old. Despite lots of looking, I've been unable to get any answers beyond test scores. I have a hunch about a few schools, but nothing more. My husband will be working in Cupertino so we'd like to be close, but not live there. I'm wondering about Mountain View? Beyond that I have nothing. Our plan is to keep the kids out of school/home school for a few months one we get there and hope to figure something out by the end of the year.

[Ceece]

we are looking for a great small town feel, walkable, affordable (less than $1 million) area with good schools, and less than 1 hour commute to 237/880 interchange

.


Pleasanton. Hands down. Also Danville or Walnut Creek. As far as you expectations with teachers and schools go, that will be hit and miss just about anywhere you go. But like I always say, there is nothing stopping YOU from giving your kids the experiences you want them to have even if the schools don't. As a homeschooler already you would be the best for that job anyway.

[dede.curry]

Pleasanton is currently at the top of our list, but the majority of people only post about test scores. I was hoping for more personal information about schools. Thanks.

[Ceece]

Originally Posted by dede.curry

Pleasanton is currently at the top of our list, but the majority of people only post about test scores. I was hoping for more personal information about schools. Thanks.

There is nothing too out of the ordinary about Pleasanton schools, nothing that different than the surrounding school districts. The reason the test scores are high is that there is a lot of parental involvement at almost every level. There will be great teachers and not so great teachers, just like everywhere else. And great kids and not so great kids too. There are a couple of special program at the elementary level (Discovery program at Walnut Grove, dual immersion at Valley View) and one school with a particularly high number of families from cultures that put a high emphasis on education (Mohr) that routinely outscores the others on standardized tests. The music programs are great starting in middle school and continuing at both high schools. And both have had great success in the national "We The People" Constitutional competitions.

They can't be everything you want all the time, but they can be sometimes They are all very crowded so there is probably going to be some issues if you want more one-on-one, personal attention type of stuff, but there are always certain kids and teachers who just click and form close relationships. I'm not familiar with any private schools in the area.

[silverkris]

How about Fremont? Now if you're talking about good schools but not emphasis on test scores, try to find homes that will serve the Irvington High School attendance area. Mission San Jose has the highest test scores but their school culture is hard-core, academics over everything else.