Hart Street Elementary

Hart Street Elementary sits in Canoga Park, a working-class corner of the western San Fernando Valley where families tend to put down roots and stay. The school serves a community that values hard work, and while its academic scores are still developing, it's the kind of neighborhood school where teachers often know families by name. Families drawn to a tight-knit, community-oriented environment — rather than a highly competitive academic race — may find it a comfortable fit for their younger kids.