Of course Scripps Ranch and Rancho Penesquitos is better, but it’s also more expensive. It’s like saying you shouldn’t buy in Scripps Ranch/Rancho Penesquitos because Carmel Valley is better. There’s always a better place to live for more money. I grew up in Mira Mesa, went to MMHS. Yes, there were gangs and there were fights. However, I wasn’t any near that stuff, went to UCSD and now have a nice comfortable job. So, yes, you can spend more a live in better place w/ better school, go for it. But it’s not the end of the world either if you can only afford to live in Mira Mesa. I can name much worse places. If you raise your kids well, I think it would be better if your kids are top 10-50 from a pretty good school than being in the middle of the pack in a better school. You can shine much more. When applying to colleges, I doubt they put that much weight in the school you graduate from but more on what your GPA is and what your SAT score is.