Forestville Academy

Tucked into the redwoods of western Sonoma County, Forestville Academy serves a tight-knit rural community where the pace of life is slower and neighbors actually know each other. As a small charter school, it tends to attract families who value an alternative to the traditional school experience and don't mind the tradeoff of being off the beaten path — English scores are solid, though math is an area to watch. Life in Forestville means hiking trails, the Russian River nearby, and a genuinely small-town feel that's worlds away from the busier parts of the county.