Cypress Elementary

Cypress Elementary sits in Redding, a mid-sized city in the northern Sacramento Valley where the summers run hot and outdoor life revolves around the Sacramento River and nearby Shasta Lake. The school serves a working-class neighborhood and, while its test scores fall below the state midpoint, families here are part of a tight-knit community that reflects the broader character of Redding itself — unpretentious and resilient. Families looking for a smaller-city feel with easy access to nature, and who are prepared to supplement academics at home or through tutoring, may find Cypress a comfortable fit for their younger kids.