Sugar Hill Elementary

Sugar Hill Elementary sits in the eastern reaches of Moreno Valley, a sprawling Inland Empire city where the cost of living is more manageable than coastal Southern California and families tend to put down real roots. The school lands right around the middle of the pack statewide, with English scores showing a bit more strength than math and science, so families looking for a solid neighborhood school will find a reasonable foundation here — though those with strong academic ambitions may want to stay engaged at home to supplement. It's the kind of community school that works best when parents are plugged in, and Moreno Valley's tight-knit residential feel means there's plenty of opportunity to do just that.