Gilroy High

Gilroy High sits in the heart of California's "Garlic Capital," a tight-knit agricultural community at the southern edge of Santa Clara County where the pace is quieter than the rest of the Bay Area but the cost of living is noticeably more accessible. The school's academics tend to be a work in progress, with scores in English and math that trail state averages, though science shows more competitive footing — families who prioritize STEM pathways may find more to work with there. It's a good fit for families rooted in the Gilroy community who value local connections and school spirit over raw academic rankings, and who appreciate being close to Silicon Valley without fully living in its shadow.