Best Schools in East Bay Area
Starting school is a pivotal moment in youth. A good school can be a determining factor in a child’s growth and future prospects. The common challenge for many parents is to find the best school that fit their children. If you choose the public route, living in a public school district is required. However, even if the private is the right choice for you, in recent years many parents decide to live close by private school areas to save time and build their community nearby schools.
Countless research shows that the majority of buyers are willing to spend a little more in order to land a home in a better school zone or district. 53% of buyers with children considered a neighborhood based on the quality of the school districts within that neighborhood. 50% of buyers with children selected a neighborhood based on its convenience to schools.
There are some clear differences between public and private schools such as cost, academic reputation and college preparation, class size, safety reputation, special programs, diversity, location. While it’s easy to search the “Best Schools in Bay Area” and come up with some names, it’s much more difficult to find the best school boundary maps that fit your home budget, especially with the size and quality standards your family needs. The maps and analysis below show the best public and private schools and their median home sales prices in the cities where these schools are located by looking at the two most important criteria, cost, and location.
The above analysis shows only the top 10 public school districts in the East Bay Area. If we look at the best elementary, middle and high schools separately, this list may include many other cities, such as Orinda, Moraga, Oakland,..etc. For example, Crocker Highlands, Chabot, and Hillcrest Elementary Schools in Oakland, Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School and Campolindo High School in Moraga, or Orinda Intermediate School and Miramonte High School in Orinda are among the best public schools with 9 and 10 school scores. I would like to herald that I will analyze the best schools by cities in detail in another article series.
If you’re looking to move to a better school district in the Bay Area, you might have noticed that places like Piedmont and Lafayette are a bit challenging to get into. It is also a fact that school scores absolutely impact real estate values. Parents want the best education for their children and if it’s going to cost them a little extra money to be in the best school district, a lot of people are making that sacrifice. However, you can still find the perfect school for your young child.
For August 2019, the median home price in Piedmont is $1.8 million, while the median home price in Lafayette is $1.4 million. These are regions home to the best public schools in East Bay. However, those home prices are a deterring factor for many. After all, the average home price in California is about $500,000 while the average home price in the USA overall is just over $200,000.
That’s why many parents are looking for affordable cities with great private schools. If your budget doesn’t allow for a home in a top-rated public school district, a home in a top-rated private school area might be perfect. Some of the most affordable areas in East Bay are homes in regions with the best private schools.
Best Private Schools with Tuition and Location
Public School vs Private Schools
Choosing between public and private schools is more than looking at the money and location. There are a few great reasons why private schools or public schools might be a better option. In addition, there are also things you should think about. Making sure you are informed will ensure you have the best home and location for your family.
Private schools have smaller class sizes: In general, you will find that a public school will have many more students per class than in a private school. This means less one-on-one time for each student.
Public schools are more diverse: Due to laws and initiatives, public schools often offer a more diverse range of friends and teachers. This means a better understanding of the world and those in it.
Private school is more challenging: Due to the selective nature and freedom from standardized testing, private schools can teach at a faster rate and often surpass public school sin education.
Public schools can be better for those with special needs: Since private schools are so competitive and academic-focused, they often don’t have the ability to care for and teach special needs children. However, there are specialized private schools, especially for special needs children.
