Moving to Silicon Valley with Kids? A Guide to Schools, Parks, and Communities
Moving to Silicon Valley with children is an exciting adventure, but it comes with big decisions – especially when it comes to schools, neighborhoods, and finding family-friendly amenities. Silicon Valley (stretching across the San Francisco Bay Area’s tech hubs) is known for its top-ranked schools, beautiful parks, safe communities, and of course, a competitive real estate market. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything a family needs to know, focusing on key kid-friendly cities like Palo Alto, Los Altos, Sunnyvale, and Cupertino. We’ll cover public school districts (and their enrollment zones), highlight some great private schools, point out beloved parks and playgrounds, and discuss what makes each community special for families. By the end, you’ll have a clearer picture of how to give your kids the best start in your new Silicon Valley home – and how to navigate the process with the help of local experts like the Boyenga Team, Eichler home specialists who are dedicated to helping families find their dream home in these communities.
The Importance of Schools in Silicon Valley
When moving with kids, schools are often the #1 priority. The good news: Silicon Valley boasts some of California’sand even the nation’s highest-rated school districts. Public schools here are generally excellent, with many districts scoring in the top percentile for academics. For example, the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) was recently ranked the #1 school district in California (and even #1 in the U.S. among larger districts)pausd.org. This reputation for quality education is a major draw for families.
Public school enrollment zones: In the Valley, where you live determines where your kids go to school. Each city (and even each neighborhood) is assigned to specific elementary, middle, and high schools. It’s crucial to check the school attendance boundaries when house-hunting. Families often strategize home purchases or rentals based on these zones – a process sometimes called “school shopping.” For instance, parts of Sunnyvale feed into different districts (more on that below), which can mean a big difference in school rankings. City and school district websites usually offer school locatortools where you input an address to see the assigned schools. It’s wise to use these or consult with a knowledgeable real estate agent who understands the local school boundaries.
School ratings and rankings: Many parents look at sources like GreatSchools ratings, Niche rankings, or U.S. News & World Report to gauge school quality. These ratings consider test scores, college readiness, student-to-teacher ratios, and reviews. As of 2024, multiple Silicon Valley high schools rank in California’s top 20. (We’ll highlight specific schools in each city section.) Keep in mind that while scores are useful, every child is different – the “best” school also depends on your child’s needs and interests. All the communities we discuss have strong public schools, so you really can’t go terribly wrong.
Public vs. private: Silicon Valley also has premier private schools (secular and faith-based) if you prefer an alternative to the public system or if your child has specific learning needs. Private schools like The Harker School (San Jose), Castilleja (Palo Alto, girls), Bellarmine College Prep (San Jose, boys), Saint Francis High School (Mountain View), and Pinewood School (Los Altos) are well-known for rigorous academics. However, competition for admission can be stiff and tuition is high. Many families choose public schools for their combination of quality and community feel, supplementing with enrichment as needed. We’ll touch on private options in context too.
Extracurriculars and special programs: Another consideration is after-school and enrichment opportunities. Silicon Valley’s public schools often offer robust programs – from STEM clubs and robotics, to arts and music, to athletics. There are also excellent external programs (coding classes, music conservatories, sports leagues, etc.) available in each community. When evaluating communities, look at what kids do outside of school as well – you’ll find no shortage of activities here for all ages.
In the sections below, we dive into four family-favorite Silicon Valley cities – Palo Alto, Los Altos, Sunnyvale, and Cupertino – with a focus on what each offers for education, recreation, and a kid-friendly lifestyle.
Palo Alto: Top-Tier Schools and Vibrant Family Life
Why Palo Alto? This city is often at the top of relocation lists for families – and for good reason. Palo Alto combines world-class public schools, a kid-friendly community vibe, plenty of parks (including some truly unique playgrounds), and a lively, intellectual atmosphere thanks to Stanford University. Located in Santa Clara County (about 35 miles south of San Francisco), Palo Alto is essentially the birthplace of Silicon Valley innovation, yet it maintains a warm suburban feel in its residential neighborhoods.
Schools in Palo Alto
Palo Alto’s public school system, PAUSD (Palo Alto Unified School District), is one of the crown jewels of the area. PAUSD operates two high schools, three middle schools, and a dozen elementary schools – and virtually all of them are highly rated. In 2024, Niche ranked PAUSD as the #1 school district in Californiapausd.org, reflecting stellar academics and strong teacher quality. The district has a long-standing reputation for excellence; families here benefit from decades of community investment in education.
Public elementary schools: Palo Alto has many neighborhood elementary schools (Walter Hays, Addison, Duveneck, Escondido, Fairmeadow, and others), and most boast GreatSchools ratings of 9 or 10. Class sizes are moderate (~20 students per teacher in early grades), and parent involvement is very high. These schools feed into three middle schools (J.L. Stanford, Frank S. Greene, and Ellen Fletcher middle schools – all strong in academics and extracurriculars).
High schools: The city’s two public high schools are Palo Alto High School (known as “Paly”) and Henry M. Gunn High School. Both are outstanding. For example, Paly consistently ranks in the top few percent of high schools nationwide on measures like Advanced Placement (AP) exam performance and college admissions. Gunn High is similarly acclaimed and known for its STEM programs and robotics team. Each high school offers a broad curriculum including AP and honors courses, athletics, arts, and more. Students from both schools matriculate to top universities. That said, these schools are high-pressure environments – something to be mindful of for your child’s personality and stress level.
Special mention – alternative schools: PAUSD also has choice programs, like Hoover Elementary (with a structured learning focus) and Ohlone Elementary (which follows a developmental, project-based philosophy). There’s also a dual Spanish immersion program at Escondido Elementary. These are lottery-based but available to district residents.
Private schools in Palo Alto: If you prefer private education, Palo Alto is home to some elite options. Castilleja School, for instance, is an all-girls day school (grades 6–12) known for small class sizes and a strong track record of graduates to Ivy League colleges. For younger kids, Keys School (K–8) and International School of the Peninsula (a bilingual French/Chinese immersion school, preschool–8) are popular. Since Palo Alto is fairly central, families also consider nearby private schools in Menlo Park, Mountain View, or Cupertino depending on the child’s needs. However, with PAUSD being so strong, a large majority of Palo Alto families happily go the public route.
Enrollment and zones: Palo Alto residents are generally guaranteed a spot in their neighborhood school (the district will let you know which one based on your address). Both high schools are excellent, so living on one side of town vs. the other (Paly serves north/west Palo Alto, Gunn serves south/east) is more about preference and housing budget than school quality. Occasionally, if one school is overcrowded, new students might be assigned to a nearby school with space – but PAUSD does a good job managing enrollment. It’s always best to double-check the address-school lookup on PAUSD’s website when you’re house hunting.
Parks, Playgrounds, and Family Activities in Palo Alto
Palo Alto is packed with parks and things to do with kids. Nearly every neighborhood has a local park or playground, and some are real standouts that draw families from all over the Bay Area:
Mitchell Park & Magical Bridge Playground: Mitchell Park, in south Palo Alto, is a huge community park with lawns, picnic areas, a library and community center – and notably the Magical Bridge Playground, one of the most innovative playgrounds in the country. Magical Bridge is an all-inclusive playground designed for children of all abilities (able-bodied, disabled, autistic, etc.) to play together. It features whimsical equipment like a laser harp, accessible swings and slides, a play treehouse, and even a retreat zone for kids who might get overstimulated. The playground is free and open to the public from sunrise to sunset daily, and it attracts over 25,000 visitors a monthmagicalbridge.org. It’s truly a must-visit if you have kids under 12 – there’s nothing else quite like it. Mitchell Park also has a magical kid-friendly library adjacent to the playground (with a dedicated children’s wing and frequent story times).
Rinconada Park & Junior Museum/Zoo: Near Palo Alto’s downtown is Rinconada Park, another family favorite. Rinconada has playgrounds (with splash pads in summer), a large public pool, tennis courts, and lots of picnic space under redwood trees. It’s also home to the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo (JMZ) – a small children’s science museum and zoo that recently got a $30 million renovation. The JMZ is perfect for younger children, with interactive science exhibits and live animals (bobcats, flamingos, meerkats, snakes, etc.). It’s geared toward making science fun and accessible for kids. The museum is typically free for kids under a certain age and a nominal fee for adults. Adjacent to the museum is a fantastic new playground that opened with the renovation, featuring climbing structures and sand play tied into the science themes. Rinconada Park, with the JMZ and playground combo, can entertain your kids for hours.
Neighborhood parks: Beyond the big parks, Palo Alto has plenty of smaller gems. For example, Johnson Park in the Downtown North area has a fenced toddler playground and sand lot, great for playdates with little ones. Hoover Park in Midtown has a big grassy field, playground, and even a dog park section. Greer Park on the south side includes a skate park for older kids. El Camino Park (the city’s oldest park) has open fields and a playground right across from the Stanford Shopping Center. And don’t miss Cornelis Bol Park – not only does it have a bike path and playground, it’s known for being the home of donkeys that inspired the donkey in the Shrek movies! (A small herd of donkeys lives in a pasture there, and families love to go say hi.)
Nature areas: For weekend nature outings, Palo Alto offers the Baylands Nature Preserve – a marshland on the Bay with flat trails perfect for biking with kids, plus the EcoCenter for nature education. On the west side, there’s Foothills Nature Preserve, a wild open space in the hills with hiking trails (note: since 2021, Foothills Preserve is open to all Palo Alto residents and even non-residents with a small entry fee; it used to be residents-only). Families go there for easy hikes, picnic by the lake, and even see occasional deer or wild turkeys. These natural areas provide a nice balance to the city life and let kids explore the outdoors.
Community centers & libraries: Palo Alto invests in family services. The Children’s Library near downtown is one of the only stand-alone children’s libraries in the country – it’s a cozy Tudor-style building just for kids, with a storytime room, fish tank, and child-sized furniture. The community centers (Mitchell Park and Cubberley) offer tons of classes: from toddler music classes to youth robotics and art camps. There are also seasonal events, like the May Fête Children’s Parade downtown each spring, summer concerts in the parks, and holiday tree lightings.
In short, Palo Alto provides an abundance of enriching opportunities for kids, both in and out of school. The city manages to combine a high-energy tech environment (remember, Stanford and many tech companies are here) with a safe, suburban community oriented toward families. Kids bicycle on tree-lined streets, neighbors chat at Little League games, and there’s a strong culture of community involvement – many parents volunteer in classrooms or local organizations.
Family-Friendly Neighborhoods and Housing in Palo Alto
One thing to note: Palo Alto is one of the most expensive real estate markets in the U.S. The demand for those great schools and the limited supply of homes (in a city with strict zoning and a preference for single-family homes) means prices are sky high. It’s not uncommon for even a modest three-bedroom house to cost $2–3 million (or more in prime neighborhoods). Property lots are often small (5,000–7,000 sq ft is common), but the benefit is walkability and community. Safety is a given – Palo Alto consistently ranks as one of the safest cities in California.
Each neighborhood has its own flavor, but all are family-friendly. Some notable areas for families include North Palo Alto neighborhoods like Community Center, Professorville, and Old Palo Alto (close to downtown and the Children’s Library, but very pricey); Midtown and South Palo Alto neighborhoods like Greenmeadow, Midtown, Charleston Meadows, and Duveneck/St. Francis (slightly larger lots, strong neighborhood associations, and still expensive but a bit less than north PA).
It’s worth highlighting Palo Alto’s Eichler neighborhoods. Joseph Eichler, a mid-century developer, built entire tracts of modernist homes in Palo Alto during the 1950s and 60s. These single-story Eichler homes have distinctive floor-to-ceiling glass walls, open atrium layouts, and post-and-beam construction – they look like cool retro-modern houses. But more importantly for families, Eichler planned these tracts with community in mind: many Eichler neighborhoods have their own community centers, pools, and parks integrated. For example, the Greenmeadow neighborhood (one of the most famous Eichler tracts in south Palo Alto) was built around a central community park and pool, which still serves as a hub for neighborhood events. The Greenmeadow Community Association hosts a children’s swim team (the Greenmeadow Marlins) and regular gatherings for residents at that shared facilityeichlerhomesforsale.com. Neighbors there say it feels like “a little town out of the ’50s... in the middle of a city,” with annual traditions like 4th of July parades and ice cream socials bringing everyone togethereichlerhomesforsale.com. Similar community-oriented design is found in Green Gables (another Eichler tract in north Palo Alto near Edgewood Plaza) and Charleston Meadows, which has Robles Park as a focal pointeichlerhomesforsale.com. The idea was that community life would literally surround residents at home, and that ethos is still alive todayeichlerhomesforsale.com.
For a newcomer, these Eichler neighborhoods can be fantastic if you want an instant community feel – your kids can ride bikes on cul-de-sacs without much traffic, play at the neighborhood park, and join local swim or BBQ events easily. The Boyenga Team are actually Eichler home experts and have written about how Eichler’s vision was to foster inclusive, neighborly living in these developmentseichlerhomesforsale.com. Many of those mid-century homes have been updated for modern living, but they retain the open, indoor-outdoor design that’s great for families (imagine being able to watch the kids play in the atrium or backyard through those glass walls). We’ll talk more about Eichler home expertise later, but in Palo Alto it’s definitely a unique part of the housing landscape.
Bottom line for Palo Alto: If your budget allows, Palo Alto is hard to beat for families. You get top-notch schools, a community that values education and safety, lots of kid-friendly amenities, and a beautiful setting of tree-lined streets. The city combines small-town charm (block parties, PTA events, neighbors who know each other) with the cultural perks of a college town and the innovation of a tech hub. Just be prepared for the high cost of housing and a bit of traffic on school mornings (the flip side of being a popular place). Many families find that the investment is worth it, given the opportunities their kids have here.
Los Altos: Small-Town Charm and Excellent Schools
If you’re looking for a quieter suburban vibe but still want amazing schools, Los Altos could be your ideal destination. This city, just a few miles south of Palo Alto, is known for its quaint downtown, tree-lined neighborhoods, and a top-performing school district. Los Altos is often described as having a “small-town feel” – there’s a walkable village center with coffee shops and boutiques, and the community is tight-knit and affluent. It’s primarily residential (no big tech campuses here), which many families appreciate. You’ll find lots of parks and a slower pace, while still being a short drive from Silicon Valley’s job centers.
Schools in Los Altos
Despite its small size, Los Altos boasts some of the highest-achieving schools in California. The public schools are shared between two districts: Los Altos School District (LASD) for elementary (K-8) and Mountain View–Los Altos Union High School District (MVLA) for high school. Both are exceptional.
Elementary & middle schools (K-8): LASD operates seven elementary schools (Covington, Santa Rita, Gardner Bullis, Almond, Springer, Loyola, Oak Avenue) and two intermediate schools (Blach and Egan junior highs). These schools regularly rank in the top 1% statewide for test scores. In fact, LASD has historically been ranked #1 or #2 out of ~1,000 California school districts based on standardized tests, year after year (a point of pride often cited by the district). For example, in a typical year over 80-90% of LASD students score proficient or above in math and reading, far surpassing state averages. Students here receive a well-rounded education – strong fundamentals in math/English, plus science labs, music, art, and even maker spaces in some schools. Class sizes are relatively small and there’s a lot of fundraising that supports extras (the Los Altos Education Foundation contributes significant funding per student).
Each elementary has its own neighborhood boundary, but LASD allows some choice if space permits – for instance, Gardner Bullis is a smaller school in Los Altos Hills that sometimes takes students from across the district. The two junior highs (Blach Intermediate and Egan Junior High) split the city; both feed into the single high schools in MVLA. Blach and Egan are both high-performing, offering advanced math tracks and electives like languages and performing arts to prepare students for high school.
High schools: Los Altos doesn’t have its “own” high school district – it shares with neighboring Mountain View. There are two public high schools: Los Altos High School (in Los Altos) and Mountain View High School(located in Mountain View, but serving some Los Altos areas too). Families in Los Altos typically send their kids to one of these based on your address zone. The great news is both high schools are excellent. As of the latest rankings, Los Altos High is in the top 50 high schools in Californiausnews.com (and top ~400 nationally), and Mountain View High is not far behind. Monta Vista (Cupertino) and Gunn/Paly (Palo Alto) might edge them out slightly in rankings, but MVLA schools offer an education on par with any top-tier school – with strong AP programs, sports, music, and an inclusive environment. Los Altos High, for instance, is known for its robust STEM offerings (lots of students doing robotics, Science Olympiad) and humanities (their journalism program is award-winning). The MVLA district has a reputation for academic rigor balanced with student wellness initiatives. The high schools also benefit from being medium-sized (~2,000 students), which can feel a bit less intense than the larger schools in Palo Alto.
Private schools in or near Los Altos: Many Los Altos families stick with the stellar public schools, but if you seek private options, there are a few nearby. Pinewood School is a notable K-12 private with campuses in Los Altos and Los Altos Hills – known for strong academics and a close-knit community (small class sizes). For high school boys, Bellarmine College Prep in San Jose is a popular Jesuit school; for girls, Presentation or Notre Dame in San Jose might be considered. Saint Francis High School in Mountain View is a co-ed Catholic high school with a great reputation, just adjacent to Los Altos. These private schools, however, involve applications and tuition. With LASD/MVLA being so good, most families only go private if they have a particular religious or pedagogical preference.
Enrollment and housing impact: Los Altos school assignments are generally straightforward: your home address dictates your LASD elementary and junior high. The district sometimes does re-balancing of attendance areas when one school gets overcrowded, but it’s pretty stable. One unique aspect: a portion of Los Altos (the area in south Los Altos) is actually within Cupertino Union School District for K-8, feeding into Cupertino’s Monta Vista High. These are usually homes in the Los Altos zip code 94024 but in Cupertino school boundaries. This means some Los Altos residents attend top Cupertino schools (which we discuss in the Cupertino section). This can be a win-win, since Cupertino’s schools are equally top-notch. Just be aware when house-hunting that “Los Altos” city doesn’t automatically equal “Los Altos School District” – check the listing details or ask your Realtor to be sure which district a given address falls into. In any case, whether it’s LASD or Cupertino schools, your child is in very good hands academically.
Parks and Recreation in Los Altos
Los Altos might not have mega-playgrounds like Palo Alto, but it offers lovely parks and a very family-friendly environment. The city is known for its lush greenery and quiet residential streets – many without sidewalks, adding to that country-lane charm (though be careful with little ones on bikes). Here are some highlights:
Shoup Park & Redwood Grove Nature Preserve: Tucked near downtown, Shoup Park is a favorite for families. It’s a small, tranquil park along Adobe Creek, with two playground areas (one for toddlers and one for older kids) and lots of shade. The unique aspect is that Adobe Creek runs through it – in winter and spring, there’s water where kids can splash and wade (bring rain boots or water shoes!), and in summer/fall when it’s dry, the creek bed becomes a fun place to explore and hunt for frogs or rocks. Right next to Shoup Park is Redwood Grove Nature Preserve, a pocket of towering redwood trees with a short trail and boardwalk. It’s a peaceful spot where kids can experience nature up close – you might spot squirrels, birds, and the occasional deer. Parents often say Shoup Park/Redwood Grove is a little hidden gem: it feels secluded and safe, and kids can spend hours between the playground and nature trails. (Do note parking is limited on the narrow road down to the park).simplykyra.comsimplykyra.com
Heritage Oaks Park: This park, in south Los Altos, has a sizable grassy field, picnic area, and a neat playground with modern climbing structures. As the name suggests, there are beautiful old oak trees which provide shade and a picturesque setting. It’s a great spot for weekend picnics or tossing a frisbee. Heritage Oaks is adjacent to one of the local elementary schools (Oak Avenue), so it’s a popular hangout after school for families in that area.
Grant Park: Located in the north Los Altos neighborhood, Grant Park offers a playground, community center (with some senior and youth programs), and large fields. It’s a hub for youth sports like soccer. The community center hosts activities and classes, and a farmers’ market is held in the parking lot seasonally. Grant Park is also where the city often holds its Movie Nights in the summer – a big lawn, bring a blanket, and enjoy an outdoor family movie under the stars.
Downtown Los Altos events: While not a single park, the downtown “village” of Los Altos deserves mention. On summertime Thursday evenings, there are often Downtown Green events where part of Main Street is closed off and artificial turf is laid out with games, kids’ activities, and live music – families gather to dine and play outside. Los Altos also has cherished annual events like the Pet Parade (yes, kids parade their pets down Main Street in costumes – it’s as cute as it sounds), and the Festival of Lights Parade during the holidays (an evening parade of illuminated floats and high school marching bands that draws families from all over the region). The downtown triangle has several ice cream and sweet shops (always a hit after school or post-park treat). It’s a safe area where teens can wander with friends and younger kids can window-shop with parents, giving a bit of a Mayberry vibe in the heart of Silicon Valley.
Other recreation: Los Altos doesn’t have its own public swim complex or anything (residents often use nearby facilities like the Foothills Swim & Racquet Club, or drive to communities like Sunnyvale/Cupertino for sports leagues). However, the city does border Rancho San Antonio County Park & Open Space, a fantastic nature preserve just to the west. This huge open space (technically in Los Altos Hills/Cupertino area) is a treasure for families who like outdoors – it has miles of trails and the popular Deer Hollow Farm, a working farm where kids can see pigs, goats, chickens, and cows. Many preschool and elementary field trips happen there, and families visit on weekends to enjoy the farm and easy hikes (stroller-friendly trails available). Having Rancho San Antonio so close is a boon – it’s like having a piece of wilderness in your backyard.
In summary, Los Altos may be quieter and less flashy than some neighbors, but for many that’s a plus. It’s extremely safe, the streets are clean and calm, and neighbors really form a community. Block parties, carpools, volunteering at school – it’s a lifestyle that revolves around family and community ties. Education is practically a civic religion here, and you’ll find many resources for kids to thrive.
Los Altos Neighborhoods and Community Feel
Los Altos is almost entirely residential, with most homes being single-family on fairly large lots (quarter-acre is common). Housing prices are in the same league as Palo Alto – very high. But you might get a bit more land or a slightly larger house for your dollar compared to Palo Alto. The architecture ranges from mid-century ranch homes to newer rebuilds; some neighborhoods have Eichler homes too, particularly in south Los Altos (e.g., Fallen Leaf Park area and Dahlia Drive area have clusters of Eichlers, which the Boyenga Team notes as part of Los Altos’ mid-century modern housing stock).
The neighborhoods don’t have strict names like in Palo Alto; people often just refer to them by elementary school or general area (North Los Altos, South Los Altos, etc.). North Los Altos (around downtown) is very desirable for walkability to the village and a slightly shorter commute northward; South Los Altos offers a bit more seclusion and sometimes larger properties. Regardless of area, you’ll find plenty of cul-de-sacs and winding roads perfect for kids learning to ride bikes or families out for an evening stroll. It’s the kind of place where neighbors say hello, kids walk dogs, and everyone turns out for school fundraisers.
One thing to prepare for: because Los Altos is small and residential, you’ll do more driving for errands beyond basics. There are a few supermarkets and shops in town, but malls and bigger entertainment (movies, etc.) are in nearby Mountain View or Cupertino. The flip side is less traffic and a very peaceful home environment.
Community engagement: Los Altos has an array of parent organizations, from school PTAs to local mom/dad groups. The Los Altos Library is excellent (and hosts toddler story times, book clubs for teens, etc.). The city recreation department offers activities too, but some families also tap into activities in adjacent cities. For instance, the City of Sunnyvale or Mountain View might have a bigger youth sports program or swimming lessons. Everything is close by, so you can live in Los Altos and still take advantage of those amenities.
In a nutshell: Los Altos is a wonderful choice if you want top-tier schools in a low-key, family-first environment. It’s affluent and safe, with a charming downtown, great community spirit, and easy access to nature. Your kids can get an excellent education and a grounded upbringing here. Just like Palo Alto, expect to invest significantly in a home; but once you’re in, you’ll be part of a supportive community that many families truly cherish.
Sunnyvale: Diverse Communities and Hidden Gems for Families
Sunnyvale is one of Silicon Valley’s larger cities, known for its diversity, central location, and mix of residential and tech (it’s home to companies like LinkedIn and Yahoo). For families, Sunnyvale offers more affordable housing (relatively speaking) than Palo Alto/Los Altos, while still providing good schools (depending on the neighborhood), tons of parks and playgrounds, and a strong sense of community. It’s a city in transition, with a redeveloping downtown and new residential communities sprouting up, making it an interesting blend of old and new. If you’re moving to Silicon Valley with kids, Sunnyvale definitely deserves consideration – especially if you want to balance value and quality.
Schools in Sunnyvale
Education in Sunnyvale can seem a bit complex at first because different parts of the city feed into different school districts. This means school quality in Sunnyvale is not one-size-fits-all – but it also means you have the chance to access some of the best schools in the region if you choose the right location.
Here’s the breakdown:
Roughly half of Sunnyvale (mainly the northern and central neighborhoods) is served by Sunnyvale School District (SSD) for elementary/middle and then Fremont Union High School District for high school.
Other parts of Sunnyvale (mostly the western and southern sections) fall into Cupertino Union School District(CUSD) for K-8, which feeds into Fremont Union HSD as well.
A smaller section in the eastern side goes to Santa Clara Unified School District for K-12 (portions around the Lakewood Village area).
High school for most Sunnyvale kids will be one of the Fremont Union High Schools: either Fremont High School(located in Sunnyvale), Homestead High (in Cupertino, serving parts of Sunnyvale), or possibly Cupertino Highor Wilcox High (if in Santa Clara USD zone).
What does this mean in practice? It means families must pay attention to address and school assignments. There is, as one analysis put it, a “notable divide” between Cupertino Union schools and Sunnyvale’s own schools – Cupertino Union schools significantly outperform their Sunnyvale counterparts on testsschooldigger.com. This is reflected in things like SchoolDigger rankings and state scores: for example, Cupertino Union School District has a 10/10 rating (top 1% in California), with very high proficiency scores (around 84% in math, versus ~33% state average)publicschoolreview.com. Meanwhile, Sunnyvale School District’s scores, while improving, are closer to state averages, with some schools excelling and others facing challenges.
The good news: Many Sunnyvale neighborhoods do feed into the top Cupertino schools and Fremont Union high schools:
If you live in western Sunnyvale (areas near Cupertino border), your child might attend elementary schools like Louis E. Stocklmeir Elementary or Cherry Chase Elementary – these are excellent schools. In fact, Cupertino Middle School (which serves parts of Sunnyvale) is ranked #44 out of 2,777 middle schools in California, with over 80% of students proficient in English and Mathschooldigger.com. And Cherry Chase Elementary in Sunnyvale (part of Sunnyvale District) is also a high-performer, ranked in the top few hundred of ~5,800 elementary schools statewideschooldigger.com. This shows that even within Sunnyvale School District, there are standout schools – Cherry Chase, Cumberland, and others in north-central Sunnyvale have strong reputations due to involved parent communities and solid teaching.
For high school, the Fremont Union High School District includes Fremont High (in Sunnyvale), Homestead High (serving parts of Sunnyvale and Cupertino), Cupertino High, Monta Vista High, and Lynbrook High (the latter two are actually in Cupertino/San Jose but not serving Sunnyvale addresses). Homestead High (which many Sunnyvale kids attend if they were in Cupertino Union’s K-8) is an excellent school – in 2022 it was ranked #77 in CA (and #581 nationally)patch.com. Cupertino High is similarly strong (#40 in CA that year)patch.com. Fremont High historically had more moderate scores, but has been on the rise and offers some great programs (and a brand-new STEM building). It was ranked around #335 in CA (which is still top 15% or so)schooldigger.com. The takeaway: Sunnyvale’s high school outcomes are generally very good, especially if in the Homestead or Cupertino High attendance areas. And even Fremont High, serving central Sunnyvale, provides a solid education with a smaller student body and a newly modernized campus.
If you end up in the Santa Clara Unified part of Sunnyvale (northeast), the local schools (like Lakewood Elementary, Vargas Elementary, and Wilcox High in Santa Clara) are decent, though not as acclaimed as Cupertino schools. Santa Clara Unified has pockets of excellence and also serves a diverse community.
Enrollment tips: Before choosing a home, families should verify the assigned schools. Sunnyvale’s city website or each district’s site can tell you which district and school an address is zoned for. It’s common for real estate listings in Sunnyvale to prominently state “Cherry Chase elem. area” or “Homestead High area” because of the importance to buyers. Some families even target specific neighborhoods like Sunnyvale’s “Birdland” neighborhood (near Ortega Park) because it feeds into Cupertino’s Stocklmeir Elementary and Cupertino Middle, or the Las Palmas Park areawhich goes to Cumberland Elementary and Fremont High, etc.
Also, keep in mind California open enrollment rules: some districts allow intra-district transfers if space is available. Sunnyvale SD has occasionally allowed students to transfer to a different school within the district if, say, one is closer to a parent’s workplace or has a special program, but there are no guarantees. Cupertino Union historically was very strict about enrollment – you attend the school for which you’re zoned, unless you get into a special lottery program (like their few choice programs).
Private schools in Sunnyvale: Sunnyvale has a number of private and parochial schools as well. Notables include The King’s Academy (a Christian 6-12 school with a robust academic curriculum), Sunnyvale Christian School (K-8), and Stratford School (a private preschool/elementary known for academic rigor, with a Sunnyvale campus). Additionally, since Sunnyvale is fairly central, many families opt for private high schools in adjacent cities like Bellarmine, Saint Francis, or Harker if that’s their preference.
Bottom line on Sunnyvale schools: The city offers a spectrum. By choosing the right neighborhood, you can enroll your kids in some of the top public schools in Silicon Valley without paying the premium of Palo Alto or Los Altos real estate. However, if you end up in a different zone, you may land in an average-performing school. That said, Sunnyvale schools across the board benefit from the region’s educated populace and funding; even the “lesser-ranked” schools here would be considered fine schools in many other parts of the country. And there’s an added benefit: Sunnyvale’s diversity (ethnic, socioeconomic, linguistic) can provide a rich environment for children to learn in a real-world community setting.
Parks and Playgrounds in Sunnyvale
Sunnyvale takes great pride in its parks system – and your kids will love it. There are 20+ parks, many recently renovated, plus a brand new all-abilities playground. Here are some family favorites:
Seven Seas Park: This is one of Sunnyvale’s newest (and coolest) playgrounds. Seven Seas Park has an ocean/pirate theme – there’s a giant pirate ship structure for big kids, a separate tot lot for younger ones, a splash pad (water play area) that operates in summer, and sports courts. It’s located in the Morse Park area and is extremely popular on warm weekends. Parents love that it has shade canopies and picnic tables, making it comfortable to spend a long time while kids climb and get wet. It’s basically a mini water park and playground in one. Local tip: bring a towel and change of clothes for the little ones, because that splash pad will be irresistible on a hot day!
Las Palmas Park: A long-time local favorite, Las Palmas is a tropical-themed park known for its tall palm trees and even resident chickens/roosters that roam the grounds (they’re friendly!). The park has two playgrounds (one recently redone), plenty of open grass, and picnic areas with BBQs. There’s also a fenced dog park and even a mini orchard. The Polynesian look (huts and tikis on the playground) gives it a fun vibe. Families often host birthday parties here on weekends. It’s located in central Sunnyvale, not far from downtown.
Magical Bridge Playground at Fair Oaks Park: Sunnyvale joined the inclusive playground movement by opening its own Magical Bridge Playground at Fair Oaks Park in 2022. Like Palo Alto’s, this Magical Bridge is an innovative play space for all ages and abilities – it features things like a swing and slide that accommodate wheelchairs, sensory play equipment, musical elements, and accessible play zones. It’s free and open daily (6am to 9pm)magicalbridge.org. Fair Oaks Park, which surrounds the playground, also has new basketball courts, exercise equipment, and lots of open space after a major renovation. This playground is a testament to Sunnyvale’s commitment to inclusive play – if you have a child with special needs, you’ll find this park to be incredibly welcoming. And if you don’t, it’s still super fun and unique compared to typical playgrounds.
Ortega Park: Home to another big playground and a seasonal water play feature, plus extensive sports fields. Ortega Park sits next to Stocklmeir Elementary, and the playground has a rocket-ship structure paying homage to the area’s aerospace history. There’s also a public swimming pool here (operated in summers, with lessons and lap swim available). Many youth sports leagues use Ortega for soccer and baseball. It’s a great “multi-purpose” park where the whole family can find something to do.
Baylands Park: For a change of scenery, Sunnyvale’s Baylands Park offers a nature escape on the bay marshes. It has picnic sites and a large playground, but also walking trails through wetlands where kids can learn about local wildlife and ecosystems. In spring you might catch sight of migratory birds or even cute ducklings. It’s a quieter park ideal for kite flying or family bike rides on the flat paths.
Community Center & Library: The Sunnyvale Community Center (on Manet Drive) is another hub – it’s a complex with indoor facilities, a creativity center, and the Sunnyvale Public Library (which is excellent and set to be rebuilt even larger soon). The community center has a picturesque duck pond and also is adjacent to Washington Park, which has a playground and is known for its public swimming pool (where the Sunnyvale swim team and lessons take place). The library is very family-friendly, with frequent story times, summer reading programs, and a vast children’s section.
Overall, you’re never far from a park in Sunnyvale. The city has worked to ensure most neighborhoods have green space. Whether your kids are into climbing, water play, sports, or just running around, there’s something here. Sunnyvale even has some quirky offerings – for example, De Anza Park has a roller hockey rink, and Columbia Park has an inline skating track and also hosts the Columbia Neighborhood Center (which offers some free services and classes to families).
Sunnyvale’s park system is a big reason families choose to live here – it’s easy to maintain an active, outdoor lifestyle.
Sunnyvale Community and Neighborhoods
Sunnyvale is quite expansive, and its neighborhoods vary from quiet suburban enclaves to more urban-feeling condo developments. A few notable areas:
Birdland and Cherry Chase: These are beloved residential neighborhoods (with cute bird-themed street names in Birdland) in the western part of Sunnyvale. They have top schools (Cherry Chase Elem or Cumberland Elem, feeding to Sunnyvale Middle or Cupertino Middle, and Homestead High) and are filled with mid-century single-story homes. The streets are calm, kids bike around, and there are local parks like Serra Park and Raynor Park sprinkled in. Homes here are pricey but still generally less than an equivalent in Palo Alto. The proximity to Apple’s Cupertino campus (just a mile or two away) makes it popular for Apple families.
Lakewood Village: On the northeastern side, near the Bay, this area is more modest and falls in Santa Clara schools (Lakewood Elem, which has a diverse population). The housing consists of smaller post-war homes. The community here is very diverse – many working-class and immigrant families. It may not have the prestige of other parts of Sunnyvale, but it’s a friendly area and the city has invested in improving parks and facilities here (like the new Fair Oaks Park and plans to rebuild Lakewood branch library). It showcases Sunnyvale’s range: within one city, you have both multimillion-dollar homes by good schools and more entry-level neighborhoods like Lakewood that still benefit from Sunnyvale’s services and location.
Downtown Sunnyvale: The downtown core (around Murphy Avenue and Washington) is being redeveloped extensively. New apartments, townhomes, and condos are bringing an influx of families who prefer a more walkable lifestyle. There’s a weekly farmers’ market on historic Murphy Ave, and new shops and eateries. The downtown area feeds into different schools depending where exactly – some go to Vargas or Ellis Elementary (Sunnyvale SD) and Fremont High. As downtown revitalizes, it’s becoming more attractive for young families, though it’s more urban (think smaller living spaces, but you can stroll to the park or coffee shop easily).
Southern Sunnyvale (near Cupertino border): Areas like Sunnyvale’s Cherryhill or Morse Park neighborhoods feel almost like Cupertino – largely because many kids here go to Cupertino schools. The residents are a mix of long-time older homeowners and younger tech families. There are a lot of Eichler homes in a section of Sunnyvale (like the Fairbrae tract, which even has the private Fairbrae Swim & Racquet Club that Eichler established). Eichler aficionados will find Sunnyvale has more affordable Eichlers than Palo Alto or Los Altos, and these neighborhoods also tend to have community pools or nearby parks, embodying that Eichler vision of community. In fact, the Fairbrae Eichler neighborhood centers around its swim club, which offers swim team and social events, a nice plus for families (the Boyenga Team highlights these kinds of mid-century modern community perks on their website).
Community vibe: Sunnyvale is often cited as one of America’s safest cities (it frequently ranks high in safety surveys). It operates a unique Department of Public Safety (where officers are cross-trained as police, firefighters, and EMTs), which speaks to how community-focused services are here. The city organizes many family events: summer music series, Hands-on Science Night, cultural festivals (the Diwali festival at the community center is quite popular, reflecting Sunnyvale’s large South Asian community). The diversity in Sunnyvale means your kids will grow up with peers from many backgrounds – a true melting pot which many parents appreciate for the exposure it gives.
While parts of Sunnyvale are very high-income, as a whole the city is more middle-class than Palo Alto or Los Altos. This can translate to a bit more down-to-earth feel in daily life – e.g., public school PTAs might have a range of budgets depending on the neighborhood, but there’s strong volunteerism and community effort across the board.
Housing in Sunnyvale ranges from older 1950s ranch homes to brand-new townhomes. Prices have climbed dramatically in the past decade, but you’ll typically pay less here than further north. If you’re okay with a smaller house or townhome, Sunnyvale can be a more attainable entry point to Silicon Valley homeownership for young families, all while still accessing great amenities and schools (in the right zones).
In summary, Sunnyvale is a fantastic all-around family city: lots of kid-friendly infrastructure, relatively central location (commutable to many Silicon Valley job centers), and a friendly, safe environment. The key is doing your homework on school boundaries to maximize the education advantage. With that set, you can find a welcoming community that’s perhaps a little less high-pressure than some of the “elite” enclaves, but still offers an enriching upbringing for your children.
Cupertino: Academic Excellence and Community Values
Cupertino is famously the home of Apple Inc., but it’s equally famous among parents for its stellar public schools. This city of about 60,000 in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains consistently draws families who put education first. Living in Cupertino virtually guarantees access to top-tier schooling, from kindergarten through 12th grade. Beyond that, Cupertino offers a safe suburban environment, numerous parks, and a culturally rich community (over 65% of residents are of Asian heritage, which influences everything from local festivals to the cuisine scene). If you want your kids to grow up in a scholastic powerhouse of a community, Cupertino might be your dream destination.
Schools in Cupertino
Cupertino’s schools are the stuff of legend in Silicon Valley. The public schools are served by Cupertino Union School District (CUSD) for elementary and middle, and Fremont Union High School District (FUHSD) for high school. We’ve touched on these districts earlier, because they also serve parts of Sunnyvale and other cities, but if you live in Cupertino proper, you’re essentially guaranteed to be in one of these top schools.
How good are the schools? In short, among the best in California. Some quick facts:
Cupertino Union School District (which covers most of Cupertino and parts of Sunnyvale, Los Altos, and San Jose) has an average test score ranking of 10/10, placing it in the top 1% of all California districtspublicschoolreview.com. Students in CUSD far exceed state averages; e.g., about 84% meet or beat proficiency in reading and math, versus roughly 50% statewidepublicschoolreview.com. This comes from a combination of dedicated teachers, involved parents, and a community that values education highly.
Several CUSD schools are Blue Ribbon Schools or California Distinguished Schools. William Faria Elementary and Murdock-Portal Elementary are often cited as top performers (Faria, for instance, has a special focus and is known for near-perfect test scores)publicschoolreview.com. Joaquin Miller Middle School is one of the top-ranked middle schools in the statepublicschoolreview.com. Essentially, no matter which Cupertino elementary or middle your child attends, they’ll be surrounded by peers and families who take schooling seriously.
Fremont Union High Schools serving Cupertino include Monta Vista High, Lynbrook High (just over the border in San Jose but many Cupertino kids go there), Cupertino High, and Homestead High (shared with Sunnyvale). Monta Vista High School in particular has a near-mythical status – it was ranked among the top 15 high schools in California (and top 100 nationwide) in 2022patch.com. Monta Vista students routinely achieve National Merit Scholarships; the school offers 20+ AP courses and has extremely high average SAT scores. The academic competition can be intense – it’s not unusual for Monta Vista to send graduates to every Ivy League each year. Lynbrook High is on par with Monta Vista (often ranked similarly high; historically Lynbrook is in the San Jose side with a slightly different feeder pattern). Cupertino High and Homestead High are also excellent, both ranking in the top 5% of schools statewide. So whichever FUHSD school your child attends in Cupertino, they’ll get a great education, but Monta Vista and Lynbrook stand out for national-level accolades.
It’s worth noting Cupertino’s public schools also emphasize STEM and college prep heavily. High schools have strong robotics teams, science fairs, competitive math circles, etc. But there are also arts and sports – Monta Vista’s marching band, for instance, is award-winning, and Homestead High’s tennis teams are known statewide. So, it’s not all academics 24/7; the schools encourage well-rounded development (though academics are certainly the focus).
Enrollment and pressure: One thing to be mindful of – because Cupertino schools are so renowned, they can be crowded. The districts manage this with occasional boundary tweaks and by adding portable classrooms, etc. New housing developments in Cupertino have to factor in school capacity. However, if you buy or rent in Cupertino, you will have a designated school and historically CUSD/FUHSD have been good about accommodating all neighborhood kids (perhaps with some overflow adjustments rarely). Just don’t assume you can pick any school in the city; you’ll be assigned to the one for your area.
Also, families here are very proactive about enrichment. It’s common for kids to attend after-school tutoring or learning centers (e.g., Kumon, Code Ninjas, music classes) to stay ahead. As a result, the classroom pace can be advanced. If your child is coming from a more relaxed educational environment, there might be an adjustment period. On the flip side, if your child is high-achieving or thrives on challenge, they will find peers and resources that match their drive.
Private schools in Cupertino: Given how good the public schools are, there are fewer private K-8 options that Cupertino families choose (why pay for what you get free?). But there are some, including religious schools like St. Joseph of Cupertino School (Catholic, K-8) which is well-regarded for a faith-based education. For high school, if a family wanted something different from the intense FUHSD environment, they might consider private schools like Harker or Mitty in San Jose, but that’s a minority. Most stay in the public system.
Parks and Family Life in Cupertino
Cupertino invests a lot in its community parks and programs. It doesn’t have quite the playground fame of Palo Alto or Magical Bridge (as of now), but it has lovely parks and a strong recreation department:
Memorial Park: This is Cupertino’s central park, located next to the Civic Center and library. It features a large pond (with ducks and geese), big lawns (often used for city events), an accessible playground, and the Cupertino Community Center (with classrooms and a popular senior center). Perhaps the biggest draw for families is the seasonal events here – Memorial Park is home to Cupertino’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival each spring (celebrating its sister city relationship in Japan; expect cultural performances and lots of kids’ crafts and games), and a spectacular 4th of July fireworks show in the summer that many local families attend. The park is also adjacent to the Cupertino Library, which is one of the best in the county (modern, huge children’s section, etc.). You can make a great family outing of library + playground + picnic by the pond here.
Blackberry Farm & McClellan Ranch: Tucked in the creek valley of Cupertino, Blackberry Farm is a park that offers a bit of everything. It has a seasonal swimming pool (open in summer with lifeguards, a rarity for a city park), picnic areas, a playground, and it sits along Stevens Creek which kids can explore. Next door is McClellan Ranch Preserve, a historic farm turned nature preserve with a working farm animal area (chickens, rabbits, sheep) and a nature museum. There’s also a community garden and short trails. It’s a peaceful area where you might forget you’re in the middle of suburbia. The city often runs nature programs there, like bird-watching walks or farm tours for kids.
Rancho San Antonio Open Space: As mentioned in Los Altos section, this large open space is partly in Cupertino’s jurisdiction. Cupertino residents frequent it for weekend hikes and visits to Deer Hollow Farm (within Rancho San Antonio) to see the animals. On weekends, the parking lot fills up by 9am with families and hikers. It’s a wonderful resource for nature appreciation and exercise, basically Cupertino’s “backyard wilderness.”
Wilson Park: A neighborhood park with one of the best playgrounds in the city after a recent renovation. It has new play structures, including a ropes course element for older kids, and plentiful open space for running around. Adjacent to it is the tennis center.
Portal Park: A smaller park but legendary for one reason – its “dinosaur” playground. There’s a big green dinosaur slide structure that’s been there for decades, making it a nostalgic spot for generations who grew up in Cupertino. It’s a quiet little park, great for younger kids, nestled in a residential area not far from Apple’s campus.
Sports facilities: Cupertino’s recreation department runs many youth sports and classes. Hoover Park (not to be confused with Palo Alto’s) has a popular softball field and kids’ playground. Creekside Park is a newer addition near some of the Apple buildings, with modern play equipment and a small climbing wall. There are also excellent Biking trails – the Stevens Creek Trail is being extended into Cupertino, and bike lanes are common, so you’ll see families cycling to parks or school when possible.
Cupertino doesn’t have an aquarium, zoo, or children’s museum of its own, but those things are a short drive away (San Jose’s Children’s Discovery Museum or the Palo Alto JMZ, for example). What Cupertino does have is a great community center that offers classes from toddler age to teens – everything from gymnastics, dance, art, to coding for kids and language classes. The teen center (The Spot) at Quinlan Community Center is a hangout space for middle and high schoolers after school, offering games, homework help, etc., in a supervised environment – quite a nice resource for older kids to socialize.
Cultural education is also vibrant – for example, a lot of Cupertino kids attend Chinese or Hindi language schools on weekends, thanks to the large Asian community. You’ll find these enrichment schools and cultural dance or music classes readily available around the city.
Neighborhoods and Community in Cupertino
Cupertino is mostly residential neighborhoods with single-family homes, with some apartments and condos near the center. It’s not laid out in a grid, but rather in a series of subdivisions, many of which were built in the 1960s–1980s.
Some known neighborhoods:
Monta Vista: This area in the foothills is home to Monta Vista High School. It’s one of the older parts of Cupertino, with a mix of ranch homes and many newer luxury homes (as older ones got rebuilt). It’s hilly, scenic, and expensive. Many streets have views of the valley. Houses here often sell for a premium because they guarantee Monta Vista High enrollment. It’s a very quiet area, almost exclusively residential with few walkable amenities, but beautiful. You’ll find trails and parks dotted in the hills (like Linda Vista Park).
Seven Springs and Oak Valley: These are newer developments (1990s) in the eastern part. They have community pools, parks, and the homes often have a modern design. A lot of professionals reside here for the newer houses and still great school access (mostly Homestead High area).
Rancho Rinconada: A neighborhood of smaller homes (originally built as affordable housing in the 1950s) – these are modest compared to Monta Vista mansions, but still cost $1.5M+ due to location. It’s a tight community with its own small swim club.
South Blaney area: Near Cupertino High, you have streets of Eichler homes (yes, Joseph Eichler built here too!). These Eichler tracts – like around Phar Lap Drive and Miller Avenue – have that mid-century vibe. They appeal to buyers who love architecture, and some have been beautifully preserved or updated. The Boyenga Team, being Eichler experts, often highlight Cupertino’s Eichler neighborhoods as offering a combo of style and top schools (many feed into Lynbrook High or Cupertino High, both excellent).
Community and values: Cupertino is a highly educated community – many parents work in tech or engineering, and a large portion of adults have advanced degrees. This shapes the community values around education and achievement. The city is also known for being majority Asian (particularly Chinese and Indian heritage), which brings rich cultural festivals and a focus on academics (there’s even a light-hearted local joke about “Cupertino Moms” being like “Tiger Moms” who push their kids in academics and music). But beyond stereotypes, you’ll find the community is warm and supportive; parents network to share resources and help each other out. Crime is very low, and kids often walk to school or the library safely.
The downside some mention is that the academic pressure can be high. Teen stress is something the schools and community actively work on, through wellness centers at schools and extracurricular balance. But living in a town where a lot of kids attend Ivy Leagues or Berkeley/Stanford can create implicit competition. As a parent, you might feel swept into that college-prep current. However, many families navigate it fine by staying grounded and ensuring their kids have balance (sports, arts, downtime).
Housing in Cupertino is expensive (like everywhere here) – expect $2M for a 3-bed house in a good school area, more for larger or newer homes. The city has some new condominiums (like the ones near Main Street Cupertino, a modern shopping area) which can be an entry point around $1-1.5M. Those allow families to enjoy Cupertino life in a lower-maintenance setting, albeit with less space.
The Main Street Cupertino area and Shops at Cupertino Village offer restaurants, bubble tea, Asian grocery stores, etc., that become social hangouts for families and teens. For example, after school you’ll often see students at the 85°C bakery or Starbucks there. So while Cupertino doesn’t have a traditional downtown strip like Los Altos or Mountain View, these shopping plazas function as community gathering spots.
Summing up Cupertino: It’s a family-centric city defined by education. If your priority is to plug into a community where schools will propel your kids to succeed and where the environment is safe and culturally rich, Cupertino is a top pick. Just go in with eyes open about the competitive atmosphere. Many parents appreciate that their children are surrounded by peers who are motivated and respectful, and by adults (teachers, neighbors) who support academic excellence. And when it comes to parks and community services, Cupertino leaves little to be desired – it’s clean, green, and well-run.
Working with Eichler Home Experts – The Boyenga Team at Compass
Wherever you decide to land in Silicon Valley, having a knowledgeable local real estate team on your side can make a world of difference – especially when balancing family needs like school districts, commute, and community vibe. One such renowned team in the area is the Boyenga Team at Compass, led by Eric and Janelle Boyenga. Dubbed the “Property Nerds” for their data-driven approach, they’ve been serving Silicon Valley since 1996 and have earned a reputation for always putting their clients’ interests firstboyengateam.com.
The Boyenga Team offers expertise across all the communities we’ve discussed – Palo Alto, Los Altos, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, and beyond. But they have a special passion for Eichler homes and mid-century modern properties. As Eichler home experts, they understand not only the architectural uniqueness of these homes but also the tight-knit communities that come with them. Eichler neighborhoods often have nuances (e.g., maintenance of original features, Eichler-specific market trends, or neighborhood association rules to preserve the character). The Boyenga Team’s specialized knowledge means they can guide families to Eichler enclaves if you’re seeking that “modernist community” lifestyle, or help sell an Eichler highlighting its full value. They even provide persistent and aggressive marketing for Eichler listings, ensuring these architectural gems get the exposure they deserveboyengateam.comboyengateam.com.
Beyond Eichlers, Eric and Janelle Boyenga and their team are just deeply familiar with Silicon Valley’s school district boundaries, pricing dynamics, and the intangibles that matter to families. For instance, they can advise on which streets might fall in a preferred school zone, or which neighborhoods have block parties with lots of kids versus those that are quieter. As a top-producing husband-and-wife team, they’ve likely helped families in situations very similar to yours – relocating for tech jobs, seeking more space for a growing family, or balancing budget vs. commute vs. school priorities. Their longevity in the market (nearly three decades) means they’ve seen the market cycles and know how to negotiate the best outcome whether you’re buying or selling.
Clients often praise the Boyenga Team’s full-service approach: from staging and prepping a home for sale (they leverage Compass’s Concierge program to help clients maximize home value), to sharp analytics in pricing, to skilled negotiation and “hand-holding” throughout escrow. The Boyengas themselves are parents, so they inherently understand concerns like living on a cul-de-sac for safer play, or needing a home office plus a playroom, or finding a house near a good preschool. That empathy, combined with professionalism, has made them one of Silicon Valley’s most trusted real estate teams (with hundreds of five-star reviews and over $2B in real estate sold).
Moreover, the Boyenga Team is not just about transactions – they contribute to the community. They support local causes and have built lasting relationships, which can benefit you as a newcomer (need a recommendation for a pediatrician or the best kids’ swim class? A well-connected agent can often point you in the right direction).
In a competitive real estate market like Silicon Valley, having advisors who are innovative, responsive, and truly local experts is invaluable. The Boyenga Team prides itself on exactly that – they even call themselves “Property Nerds®” as a fun way to show that they geek out over finding the perfect property for a client or crunching the latest market data. They leverage technology and analytics in home searches and marketing, which aligns well with the Silicon Valley ethos.
So, as you plan your move with kids in tow, consider reaching out to a team like Boyenga’s. They’ll understand that your purchase isn’t just about beds and baths – it’s about the life you envision for your family in your new community. Eric and Janelle Boyenga have worked with many families to engineer their happiness (as their motto says), by listening closely to needs and delivering honest, savvy advice. From identifying a home walking-distance to the best elementary school, to negotiating repairs after an inspection, to finally handing you the keys, a great agent team will make the journey smoother.
Moving to Silicon Valley with kids is no small feat – it’s a major life transition. But armed with the right information and support, it can be an incredibly rewarding move. This region offers an unparalleled blend of educational excellence, cultural richness, career opportunity, and family-friendly amenities. Yes, the cost of living is high and the competition (whether for real estate or school spots) can be real. Yet thousands of families gladly call Silicon Valley home and wouldn’t trade it for anywhere else.
Recap of key takeaways:
Palo Alto shines for its #1-ranked schoolspausd.org, innovative parks like Magical Bridgemagicalbridge.org, and engaged community (with unique Eichler neighborhoods fostering old-fashioned camaraderieeichlerhomesforsale.com).
Los Altos offers top-percentile schools, a safe small-town atmosphere, and nature nooks like Redwood Grove that make childhood magical.
Sunnyvale provides a sweet spot of relative affordability, diverse and improving schools (especially if you tap into the Cupertino school zonesschooldigger.com), and awesome new play spaces for kids.
Cupertino is a beacon for education-focused families – you come for the schools (Monta Vista, etc., among the state’s bestpatch.com) and stay for the high quality of life and cultural vibrancy.
Throughout, parks and community centers abound – your kids will have no shortage of places to play, whether it’s climbing a pirate ship in Sunnyvale or reading books by the pond in Cupertino.
And when it comes to finding a home that meets your family’s needs, don’t go it alone. Leverage experts like the Boyenga Team, who understand both the market and the mindset of families relocating hereboyengateam.com. They can guide you to that perfect intersection of home + schools + community that will set your family up for success and happiness.
As you prepare for this move, visualize the life you want for your kids: top-notch education, friendly neighbors, weekend bike rides under sunny skies, perhaps a mid-century modern home with a community pool (if you’re into that!), and endless opportunities for them to learn and grow. In Silicon Valley, that vision is within reach. We hope this guide has given you a detailed roadmap and confidence to make it happen. Welcome to Silicon Valley – a place where innovation and community go hand in hand, and where families flourish.