8 Best Elementary Schools in Bay Area

Choosing the best elementary school in the Bay Area can be a challenge, considering the number of excellent options available to parents and guardians living in this part of California. Parents are bombarded with statistics and rankings, each claiming to be the most accurate or the most comprehensive, but who’s right? With so many to choose from, how do you narrow it down to just one?

The good news is that you don’t have to because we’ve done the hard work for you! This list of the top 8 elementary schools in the Bay Area can help you determine which school will provide your child with a top-notch education from kindergarten through fifth grade.

What is An Elementary School?

An elementary school is a school for children from kindergarten through fifth grade and sometimes includes sixth grade. A typical elementary school curriculum includes reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies. Some schools also offer art, music, and physical education. Many elementary schools are also part of a larger district that also includes middle and high schools.

The 8 Best Elementary Schools in Bay Area

1. The Nueva School

The Nueva School is a private co-educational and multi-campus institution founded in 1967 originally by Karen Stone McCown and other board members namely Ernest Ropiequet Jack Hilgard and Owen Meredith Wilson.

Nueva has been ranked as one of the best elementary schools in the Bay Area by USNews, Niche and GreatSchools. Nueva’s curriculum is designed to promote creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration, and students have opportunities to pursue their interests both inside and outside of the classroom with an emphasis on project-based learning.

The school was awarded the Blue Ribbon Award by the US Department of Education in 1988 and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

The Nueva School also has an impressive array of facilities, including a library, computer lab, art studio, and music room. If your kids like to get active too, no need to worry as there are more than 50 extracurricular clubs and several sports in the school.

Some of The Nueva School’s notable alumni are:

• Shemar Franklin Moore, an American actor known for his roles in movies such as “Young and the Restless” and “Criminal Minds“
• Adam Scott Klein, the former homeless shelter manager and a contestant on the “Survivor” reality show
• Jon Fisher, an entrepreneur, speaker, author, philanthropist, and investor
• Lisa Nicole Brennan-Jobs, an American writer and Steve Jobs, Apple co-founder’s daughter

2. Head-Royce School

Originally founded in 1887 as “Anna Head School for Girls in Berkeley” by Anna Head, Head-Royce is a private co-educational and college preparatory school in Oakland. It’s one of the oldest and most respected schools in the Bay Area because of its long academic excellence history, as well as a strong college prep program.

HRS got its name because it merged with the neighbouring Royce School as a result of relocating to its current site in 1964.

The Head-Royce has a diverse student body and offers a variety of extracurricular activities.  The school’s extracurricular offerings include competitive sports teams, clubs and organisations, and service-learning opportunities. Head-Royce students also have access to a variety of arts programs, including visual and performing arts classes.

Some of Head-Royce School’s alumni are:

• Helen Hull Jacobs, an American tennis player with nine Grand Slam titles won over her career span
• Claire Falkenstein, a sculptor, jewellery designer, and painter regarded as the most productive twentieth-century artist in America
• Josh Birnbaum, a former managing director at Goldman Sachs and a co-founder of Tilden Park Capital Management
• Elizabeth Beckman Schaaf, a politician who has been the Mayor of Oakland in California since 2015
• Jonkvrouwe Cornélie Caroline “Cox” van Asch van Wijck, a Dutch sculptor, artist, and model

3. The Quarry Lane School

Situated in the heart of Silicon Valley, The Quarry Lane School is a top-rated elementary school that offers a rigorous academic program. The school is a private college-preparatory and International Baccalaureate school established by Dr Sabri Arac in 1991.

Students at Quarry Lane benefit from small class sizes, highly-qualified teachers, and a curriculum that is both challenging and engaging. In addition to academics, Quarry Lane also offers a variety of extracurricular activities, including sports, music, and drama.

QLS also has a strong focus on character development, helping students to become well-rounded citizens. Quarry Lane is accredited by the National Council for Private School Accreditation and is a member of the National Independent Private Schools Association.

If you’re looking for an excellent elementary school in the Bay Area, The Quarry Lane School should be at the top of your list!

4. The Harker School

The Harker School is a highly regarded private institution located in San Jose. It has a large campus with state-of-the-art facilities, and its student body is very diverse.

Harker was established in 1893 by Frank Cramer “Palo Alto Preparatory School for Boys“, later renamed as “Manzanita Hall” and later merged with “Miss Harker’s School” in 1972 to form the now “Harker Academy“.

Harker Academy has been ranked as one of the top private elementary schools in California, and it’s no surprise why; it offers a rigorous academic program, a diverse student body and also has a strong focus on extracurricular activities. Harker is one of the most expensive elementary schools in the Bay Area, but it is worth the price tag.

Some of The Harker School’s notable alumni are:

• Priscilla Chan, a former paediatrician, philanthropist and wife to Facebook co-founder, Mark Elliot Zuckerberg
• John Byron Owens, the judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
• Andrea Nott, an American synchronised swimming competitor
• Matt Wolf, an American video game designer
• Alexander Wang, the former creative director of Balenciaga
• Maverick Scott McNealy, a professional golfer ranked #1 in the “World Amateur Golf Ranking“

5. San Domenico School

Situated on a sprawling 500-acre campus in Marin County, San Domenico is an independent co-educational day and boarding school that gives students a unique educational experience from transitional kindergarten through 12th grade.

San Domenico was established in 1850 by Mother Mary of the Cross Goemaere of the Dominican Order as “St. Catherine Academy“, making it the oldest independent school in the whole of California.

The school provides an academically rigorous education within a supportive and nurturing environment. San Domenico also has a strong commitment to social justice and environmental stewardship.

6. Convent of the Sacred Heart High School

Located on Broadway Street, San Francisco, Convent of the Sacred Heart is an independent Catholic school that provides a rigorous education for grades K-12. Convent of the Sacred Heart High School was founded on August 16, 1887, by Mother Mary Keating and it’s the first School of the Sacred Heart west of the Rockies.

The school has a strong focus on academics and character development, and students are prepared for success in high school and beyond after going through rigorous International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement programs. The convent is a close-knit community where everyone knows each other, and families are highly involved in the school.

Students at Convent of the Sacred Heart learn how to think critically and creatively, and are taught to be leaders in their community. Students

7. Bentley School

Bentley School is a private college preparatory middle and upper school founded in 1920 and was later purchased by Ms Mary Harley Jenks in 1930.

Bentley was formerly named “The Margaret Bentley School for Girls” when it was established by Miss Lucy Soule and Mrs Edith Ainsworth. It was named after Lucy Soule’s grandmother, Margaret Bentley.

Today, the school have a total enrollment of 700 students from kindergarten to 12th grade in an inclusive environment that promotes growth, teaching excellence and a rigorous academic program.

Students here will learn critical thinking, problem-solving skills, how to listen attentively, and leadership skills that will in turn shape them for their careers.

8. French American International School and International High School

French American International School is a top-rated private and co-educational school located in San Francisco. It is locally known as International or IHS and was established in 1962.

It offers a rigorous academic curriculum and also offers a wide range of extracurricular activities with a strong focus on internationalism in both French and English instruction. International High School is another excellent private school in the Bay Area. It has a strong college prep program and also offers a variety of clubs and sports such as swimming, basketball, tennis, sailling, volleyball, badminton, and football.

IHS is a perfect option for kids who want to learn about other cultures, are creative and want to explore their talents. Students can either opt-in to learn through the International Baccalaureate or French Baccalaureate.

Conclusion

Even though there are many great elementary schools in the Bay Area, these 8 stand out.

And after careful research and consideration, we have compiled a list of the eight best elementary schools in the Bay Area.

These schools have top-notch educators, state-of-the-art facilities, and plenty of extracurricular activities to keep kids engaged. If you’re looking for a great place to send your child to elementary school, look no further than this list.

REFERENCES

• Niche.com – Best Elementary Schools in Bay Are
• Nuevaschool.org – The Nueva School
• Headroyce.org – Head-Royce School
• Quarrylane.org – The Quarry Lane School
• Harker.org – The Harker School
• Sandomenico.org – San Domenico School
• Sacredsf.org – Convent & Stuart
• Bentleyschool.org – Bentley School
• Internationalsf.org – International High School