Lakeside Elementary

Tucked into the Santa Cruz Mountains just above Los Gatos, Lakeside Elementary has a distinctly different feel from the polished suburban schools closer to Silicon Valley — it's small, close-knit, and surrounded by redwoods, drawing families who've chosen a quieter, nature-immersed lifestyle in the hills. Academics are solid across the board, with math and English both performing well above average statewide, which is reassuring for parents who want strong fundamentals without the hyper-competitive pressure of valley schools. If your family is settled into the 95033 zip code — winding roads, mountain air, and all — this school feels like a natural extension of that community.