For families interested in Sunnyvale schools, the numbers are 900 and 901. Those were the API scores for Sunnyvale’s Cherry Chase Elementary and Cumberland Elementary, the highest-rated schools in the Sunnyvale Elementary School District according to 2007’s API growth report.
Cumberland joined Silicon Valley’s elite schools with 900 or above API scores this year with its 36 point increase.
As you might expect, homes in Sunnyvale that feed into Cumberland and Cherry Chase are more expensive than those that feed into Sunnyvale schools with lower test scores. Here are some benchmark 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom homes that closed in the last two months, with their schools and API scores:
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$975,000 - 1144 Lynn Way 3br/2ba; 1272 sqft ($766 per) on 6098 sqft lot; 52 years old Cherry Chase (900) / Sunnyvale Middle (797) / Homestead High (838)
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$890,000 - 214 Clarence Ave. 3br/2ba; 1365 sqft ($652 per) on 5663 sqft lot; 51 years old Cumberland (901) / Sunnyvale Middle (797) / Homestead High (838)
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$766,000 - 426 S. Mary Ave. 3br/2ba; 1552 sqft ($493 per) on 5227 sqft lot; 53 years old Vargas (730) / Sunnyvale Middle (797) / Homestead High (838)
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$715,000 - 750 Carolina Ave. 3br/2ba; 1304 sqft ($548 per) on 6318 sqft lot; 54 years old Bishop (733) / Columbia Middle (712) / Fremont High (709)
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$667,000 - 465 Wilson Ave. 3br/2ba; 1100 sqft ($606 per) on 5227 sqft lot; 57 years old Ellis (816) / Sunnyvale Middle (797) / Fremont High (709)
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(I was careful to ensure that the benchmark homes were all comparables — recently remodeled with similar upgrades and of about the same size and age — so the premiums can be ballparked using the per square foot price. Mary is a main road which may have detracted from its home’s value somewhat.)
As you can see from the benchmark homes, Cherry Chase Elementary and its reputation have been built into real estate values. Cumberland Elementary doesn’t have that same premium because it has been on the rise, from 845 in 2003.
Another steadily improving school is Ellis Elementary, up from its 773 in 2005 (though slightly below last year’s 822). It could represent a good deal for young families who plan to upgrade after elementary or middle school. And people not wanting to pay a premium for schools might consider the other representative homes.
But Sunnyvale Elementary isn’t the only elementary school district in Sunnyvale. Because of the complexity in the way school district border lines are drawn, students in a large part of Sunnyvale actually attend schools in the Cupertino Union School District. How much opportunity is there in the overlap?
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Oct.24.2007 [
Filed under: Sunnyvale ]
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