Nell Dawson Elementary

Coalinga is a small Central Valley oil town about an hour west of Fresno, with a tight-knit community feel that's a world away from the hustle of bigger California cities. Nell Dawson Elementary serves the youngest learners in grades 1 through 3, and while its academic scores sit below the state median, math shows a bit more strength than English — something families with early elementary kids might keep in mind as they think about supplementing at home. Families drawn to small-town life, affordable housing, and a community where teachers and parents tend to know each other by name may find Coalinga a comfortable fit, even as they stay engaged in supporting their kids' foundational skills.