Tucked near the Moraga border, Burton Valley Elementary School is the largest of all the Lafayette elementary schools, both in terms of students and facilities. That means lots of park-like land for families to use for fun and youth sports but it also means that the school boundary lines cast a wider net. There are many students who are walking distance to school but others typically need rides.
Burton Valley Elementary School serves Lafayette’s more traditional suburban neighborhoods where summer lemonade stands dot the corners, children bike to local pools and people walk their dogs through the open space. Halloween is near legendary in the streets nearest the elementary school, and the biggest swim team rivalry in town is between kids who share classrooms come fall.
While there is architectural variety, California single-level, ranch homes dominate and remodel projects are common but new construction is rare. Turnover of houses comes in waves as young families often move to these neighborhoods but end up staying long after children go off to college.
Homeowners enjoy the benefits of excellent schools, community feel and the proximity to the walking trails, Lafayette Community Center, ball fields and open space, as well as easy access to St. Mary’s College sporting events. It’s not downtown exactly, but close enough that people will bike or walk there when the mood strikes.
