Buying an Oakland Hills home with Oakland Schools in mind

July 17th, 2009

Many home buyers when considering purchasing a home in the Oakland Hills ask about the local schools, even if there are no school age children in the family.  Let’s face it, some Oakland Unified Schools leave something to be desired.  On the other hand, there are some outstanding  schools in the Oakland Hills area that return very good test scores, have terrific parental involvement and are largely considered the jewels in what at times appears to be a tarnished crown.  Some of the good ones to consider are Rockridge Hillcrest Elementary, Montclair Elementary, Joaquin Miller Elementary, Redwood Heights Elementary, Glenview District Glenview Elementary.

Generally the Oakland Hills Schools generate better test score results.  Now there is more to a good school than test scores but it’s a start when schools are a consideration in your Oakland Hills home purchase.  Even when children are not a consideration, an Oakland Hills home that is assigned to a good school will hold its value much better than the same home in a less desirable school area.  One very important consideration if you are purchasing a particular Oakland Hills home because of its proximity to a particular elementary school, it is imperative to check with the City of Oakland Schools Department to confirm that not only is your address assigned to that school but confirm that the school is currently accepting new student enrollees.  I have witnessed some Rockridge Oakland Hills home buying nightmares where a home was purchased because it was close to Hillcrest Elementary school.  When the home buyer went to enroll their kids they were told that the school is full and they were reassigned to a neighboring facility.  That’s not a good thing if the Rockridge home buyers decision was based on their kids going to Rockridge Hillcrest Elementary.

As a Realtor showing home buyers Oakland Hills homes, I recommend a couple of websites for school information. 
Oakland Unified School District school finder:  http://mapstacker.ousd.k12.ca.us/
Test results try: http://www.greatschools.net/ .   
Private schools in the Oakland, Piedmont and Berkeley Hills areas try: http://www.baprivateschools.com/ .

Brian Santilena has been representing home buyers and home sellers in the Oakland Hills, Berkeley Hills and Piedmont California marketplace since 1998.  He is a Realtor, CRS Certified Residential Specialist, liscened contractor and Sr. Sales Associate with Pacific Union Real Estate.  He is highly knowledgeable in the Oakland Hills premier neighborhoods such as Haddon Hill, Rockridge, Montclair, Glenview, Trestle Glen, Crocker Highlands, Oakmore, Laurel District and Redwood Heights.  Berkeley Hills neighborhoods such as Northbrea, Westbrea, North Berkeley Hills, Berkeley Flats, Thousand Oaks, South Berkeley, Gourmet Ghetto, Elmwood, Uplands, Claremont, LeConte.  City of Piedmont, City of Kensington, City of Albany.  Please feel free to CONTACT BRIAN if you have any real estate needs in Oakland, Berkeley or Piedmont CA.  Keywords: Homes, CA / California, Real estate, East Bay, Oakland Hills, Berkeley Hills, Realtor, real estate agent, homes for sale, properties, Rockridge, Montclair

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