How to tour BUSD schools
Hi all, we're a small family currently living in San Francisco. My husband just got a job in Berkeley and we are considering moving there. Our son will attend Kindergarten next year. I've been researching and touring SF elementary schools but have little idea how to navigate BUSD. I'd love some advice on how to tour BUSD schools (do they even allow it even it's a lottery?), and how do I go about researching BUSD elementary schools (I've visited the BUSD and school websites). I've been told Jefferson is good and Rosa Parks is small (is that good or bad?). Thanks so much for your help!
Nov 16, 2017
Parent Replies
There is a BUSD Kindergarten Fair on Sat 12/2/17 from 10am to 1pm at LeConte Elementary School - I'd suggest starting there! Also, if you call BUSD, they can give you a list of all the elementary schools in Berkeley and their phone numbers, so that you can book visits directly with the schools. I can't remember exactly (the paper is at home right now) but I think they're allowing tours on Tues/Thursday mornings through Dec 14th - but you have to schedule directly w/ each school you wan to visit. Lastly, in case you don't know, BUSD is a lottery system but heavily favors placing kids in your home "zone" (there are 3 zones) so it matters very much where you would be moving to in Berkeley! Best of luck!
All of the Berkeley schools are considered great, so there isn’t as high stakes as in other districts. All of the schools offer tours usually one or two mornings a week until application deadline. Honestly I only went to two tours and decided I was basing my ranking on proximity. All schools also do one evening open house AND there is a district fair one weekend so you can meet with people from admissions and each elementary school.
See you in school!
— a proud BUSD parent
Hi, there. There is a season for touring elementary schools, and the school websites are very helpful in informing you on when that is. When in doubt, reach out to the PTA leaders at the schools you want to tour to learn more; tours are usually run by parent volunteers. It's important to know that schools in Berkeley are assigned by "zones" - 3 strips running from the hills to the bay, in order to ensure diversity and balance at the school sites. Where you wind up living will assign you your zone; you can ask for an out of zone school, but odds are low on getting into it. All of the elementary schools in Berkeley are excellent, so don't worry - anywhere you wind up you will have a great experience.