Sierra Foothill Charter

Tucked into the rolling oak-studded hills of Catheys Valley, Sierra Foothill Charter offers something increasingly rare — a small, community-rooted school where kids are known by name and the surrounding landscape feels like part of the curriculum. Families drawn to rural Mariposa County life, with Yosemite practically in the backyard, will find a school that punches above its weight academically, particularly in science, which makes sense given the natural world right outside the classroom door. It's a natural fit for families who've traded suburban convenience for wide-open spaces and want a school that reflects those same values.