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One of the big advantages in buying one of our new homes in Yorba Linda, CA, is that most are generally sized for families with children. You can easily determine if a potential purchase is right for your little ones simply by bringing them along when you tour a model home. Their squeals of delights or groans of indifference tell you everything you need to know about what they think of their possible new abode.

If only picking a school for them was just a straightforward. You could just force them to the nearest facility. But, if you’re from outside the state, you and your children may be pleased to know that the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District follows California’s open enrollment policy. Your child is free to attend any school in the district, which is known as an “intradistrict choice,” as long as space is available. This can also include a charter school. You may be spoiled for choice because the area has an excellent reputation, according to Great Schools, a website that ranks educational institutions.

Elementary School

For kids in kindergarten through sixth grade, Yorba Linda boasts no less than six schools with the highest ranking of 10. That ranking takes into account how well the students do on standardized tests compared to other students in California. Other measures of quality rely on student achievement, student growth, and college readiness.

Currently ranking at the very top is Glenknoll Elementary School, which boasts a California Academic Performance Index (API) score of 943, out of a possible 1,000. Parents and grandparents are heavily involved at this institution, volunteering their energy in classrooms, on the playground, and at special events. The school encourages community service by organizing annual food and clothing drives. Gifted and talented students receive special attention in the 4th through 6th grade, taught by teachers with specific training in instructing gifted students.

Middle School

The district shows five middle schools with two getting the highest ranking of 9. In first place is Bernardo Yorba Middle School with an API score of 901. The faces of children here are often lit by the glow from at least 120 Chromebooks and two computer labs with 38 stations each. To help with the planning, writing, and editing of essays, the school subscribes to the instructor-led Criterion® Online Writing Evaluation service, which provides instant diagnostic feedback and prompts additional writing practice. Launching this year, an AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) elective class in both 7th and 8th grades prepares students for college and career choices through rigorous training.

High School

Only one of the area’s seven high schools gets a 10: Yorba Linda High School, which has an API score of 904. However, scores for the others go no lower than 8. The newest school in the district had its first graduating class in 2012 and received the California Distinguished School Honor in 2013 after only four years of existence. To encourage academic excellence, YLHS offer 16 honors courses, such as Chinese, Geometry, and Biology, and 22 Advanced Placement Courses, such as English Literature, Macro Economics, and Computer Science. Athletics are well-represented by 15 interscholastic teams, including Football, Swimming and Track. The arts get their due in over eight programs including Band, Choir and Theater.

Tip

Instead of making an arbitrary educational choice based on statistics and test scores, why not schedule some site visits with the principals of potential choices? Then take your children to the campus with you, so they can get a feel for their new surroundings and tell you what they prefer.

If you want more information about the schools in Yorba Linda or are interested in buying a new home here, please contact us to schedule a model home tour.