Boulder Creek Elementary

Tucked into the redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Boulder Creek Elementary has a distinctly small-town feel that's hard to find anywhere else in the Bay Area — families here are choosing a slower pace, surrounded by nature, with a school that punches well above its size in science (90th percentile statewide). It's a natural fit for outdoorsy, community-minded families who want their kids growing up with muddy boots and strong academics, rather than the pressure-cooker environment of the valley below. Boulder Creek itself is a tight-knit mountain community where neighbors know each other, and that same warmth carries right into the classroom.