North Hillsborough

Tucked into the quiet, tree-lined streets of Hillsborough — one of the Bay Area's most storied communities — North Hillsborough Elementary is about as academically strong as a public elementary school gets, with top-of-the-state scores across English, math, and science. Families here tend to be deeply invested in education, and the small, community-feel of the Hillsborough City Elementary District means kids get real attention rather than getting lost in the crowd. If you're drawn to a neighborhood where excellent public schools are a given and the pace of life is a little quieter than neighboring San Mateo or Burlingame, Hillsborough is worth the premium.