Pacific Elementary

Tucked into the tiny coastal village of Davenport — a blufftop community just north of Santa Cruz where redwoods meet the Pacific — Pacific Elementary is a small, tight-knit school where everyone genuinely knows everyone. With particularly strong math and science scores, it's a great fit for families drawn to an outdoor-connected lifestyle who also want solid academics without the intensity of a bigger suburban school. If you're the kind of family that wants your kids walking to the beach after school and learning in a community where teachers and parents are true partners, this little gem of a school is worth a serious look.