Kathleen MacDonald High

Kathleen MacDonald High sits in the North San Jose area, a part of the city that's grown significantly with the tech industry and draws a lot of families who value strong STEM pathways — and the school's science scores reflect that, landing in the 87th percentile statewide. It's part of Santa Clara Unified, a well-regarded district that tends to attract families who are plugged into school performance and looking for a solid college-prep environment. The surrounding neighborhood has that suburban-Silicon Valley feel: newer developments, proximity to major employers, and a community that takes academics seriously.