Gault Street Elementary

Tucked into the quiet, residential streets of Lake Balboa — one of the San Fernando Valley's more laid-back neighborhoods with its sprawling park and recreational lake — Gault Street Elementary sits right around the middle of the pack academically for LA Unified, which is no small feat in a district this size. It's a solid neighborhood school that appeals to families who value community roots and want their kids growing up alongside the same kids they'll see at the park on weekends. For families planting roots in the Valley looking for a dependable, community-connected elementary experience, Gault Street is a reasonable place to start.