We live in La Jolla, and have a son who has gone through the LJ schools. (Bird Rock Elem. Muirlands Middle and LJHS) One thing I can tell you is that I’m amazed at how many times I hear from other parents that they, like us, are very disappointed with them.
If your kids are very bright, things aren’t bad. There are plenty of classes for the gifted. If on the other hand your kid is a middle of the road student, be prepared to have teachers who don’t want to provide any remedial help. Expect teachers to go rushing ahead even though many of the students do not understand the previous lessons. Expect to encounter teachers who won’t even meet with you to discuss your child’s progress. Expect to encounter a guidance department that is woefully understaffed and an administration that doesn’t care that so many of the average kids are having to repeat classes or becoming discouraged.
While I can’t cite data, I can tell you that we have a number of friends who have kids in CV and most of them are much happier with the schools than the friends we have in LJ. As a homeowner in LJ, I wish it was the opposite, but overwhelmingly this has been my experience.
