Phoebe A. Hearst Elementary

Tucked into the tree-lined streets of East Sacramento — one of the city's most walkable and sought-after neighborhoods — Hearst Elementary is the kind of school that draws families who want strong academics without leaving the charm of an older, established community behind. Test scores consistently place it among the top schools in California, with particularly impressive English performance, and the school has a reputation for engaged parents and a tight-knit feel that's hard to find in a district this size. If you're drawn to Sacramento for its proximity to the Bay Area, the Sierra, and a genuine sense of neighborhood life, living in the 95819 zip code and sending your kids to Hearst is about as good as it gets in the city.