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Health & Fitness

In Lamorinda, "Excellent Schools" Means More Than Just Test Scores

Excellence in education goes beyond test scores. Our students' education is well rounded in addition to our great academic results.

We are all proud of the achievements of our Lamorinda schools. We have seen and heard about the most recent API test scores. Acalanes Union High School District and all three of our k-8th elementary districts scored at levels that make the rest of California public schools envious!

In my role on the Educational Foundation of Orinda board, I have learned "top performing schools" or "Excellent Schools" goes much deeper than just test scores.

When I meet new families looking for a home in Lamorinda through my real estate career, they have all heard about our schools, and frankly, that is why they are looking here.

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But, when they say friends or other realtors have told them that Walnut Creek, San Ramon, Berkeley, et. al. also have "great schools" I try to explain that our schools excel beyond their fantastic academic results where none of the aforementioned schools can even come close.

The primary advantages that our students experience here in Lamorinda schools are:

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  • K-8: Reduced class size for Kindergarten through 3rd grade. Art, music, and science instruction.
  • High school: dedicated college and career counselors. Reduced class size in Freshman english, and over 20 added electives.

Miramonte's principal, Adam Clark, is fond of saying "that a great school needs a hook to engage all students."

Beyond the fantastic academics, our high schools offer:

2-D and 3-D art, Mixed Chorus, Digital Photography, Drama, Public Speaking, Debate, Instrumental Music, Mock Trial, Model UN, Jazz Band, and my favorite elective: Food/Cooking!

Click here to read about how some of our area schools outside of Lamorinda  have cut ALL high school counselors. The students have to figure out how to get into college, which classes to take ALL on their own.

We should be proud of our great test scores for all our schools, and applaud the effort of the teachers, principals, counselors, and staff for turning out well rounded students that we can all be proud of.

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