John D. Sloat Elementary

John D. Sloat Elementary sits in the 95822 zip code, a working-class neighborhood in southwest Sacramento where families tend to put down deep roots. The school faces real academic challenges, with scores in the lower range statewide, but it may be a good fit for families who value a tight-knit community and are willing to be active partners in their child's education. Sacramento itself offers a lot — proximity to the Delta, a growing food and arts scene, and easy access to both the Bay Area and the Sierra — and families here tend to appreciate the city's grounded, unpretentious character.