If you're relocating to Conejo Valley from Los Angeles, Silicon Valley, Northern California, Seattle, Texas, New York, or anywhere out of state, chances are one of your first questions is:
"Which is the best school in Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, or Agoura Hills?"
As local real estate experts who have helped hundreds of families relocate to the Conejo Valley, we can tell you the answer is a little more nuanced than online rankings.
The good news? You really can't go wrong. One of the great appeals of Conejo Valley is that most schools are highly rated and award winning. Schools and school districts are a strong reason families relocate here - and stay for a long time.
The Conejo Valley is home to three highly respected public school districts, outstanding private schools, beautiful family neighborhoods, and communities where many children still walk or bike to school.
This guide will help you understand the differences so you can choose the neighborhood that's the best fit for your family, not just the highest-rated school.
⭐️ Important: School attendance boundaries can change. Always verify school assignments directly with the applicable school district before purchasing a home.
Why So Many Families Are Moving to Conejo Valley
Many of our relocation clients come from areas like:
Los Angeles
Santa Monica
Pacific Palisades
Sherman Oaks
Woodland Hills
Silicon Valley
San Francisco Bay Area
Orange County
Arizona
Texas
Washington
New York
They tell us they're looking for:
Top-rated public schools
Larger homes
Safe neighborhoods
Parks and hiking trails
Family-oriented communities
Youth sports
Shorter commutes (or remote-work friendly locations)
A better quality of life
The Conejo Valley consistently delivers on all of those priorities, which is one reason it's become one of Southern California's most desirable places to raise a family.
Understanding Conejo Valley School Districts
One thing surprises almost every relocating buyer: School districts don't always match city boundaries.
For example:
Westlake Village is divided between two different public school districts (LVUSD and CVUSD)
Different neighborhoods within Thousand Oaks feed into different schools
School district boundaries can significantly affect home values and buyer demand
The three primary public school districts are:
Each has its own strengths and personality.
Las Virgenes Unified School District (LVUSD)
Communities Served
Agoura Hills
Most of the Los Angeles County side of Westlake Village
Calabasas
Hidden Hills
Bell Canyon
LVUSD has earned a reputation as one of California's premier public school districts, offering award-winning academics along with extensive arts, music, athletics, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, dual language immersion, and specialized learning programs.
Families Often Choose LVUSD For
Excellent college preparation
Strong music and performing arts
Competitive athletics
Diverse academic pathways
High parent involvement
Popular Family Neighborhoods
First Neighborhood (Westlake Village)
Foxmoor
Three Springs
Morrison Ranch
Old Agoura
Morrison Highlands
Many of these neighborhoods offer sidewalks, nearby parks, and convenient access to neighborhood elementary schools.
Conejo Valley Unified School District (CVUSD)
Communities Served
Thousand Oaks
Newbury Park
Most of Ventura County's Westlake Village
Portions of Thousand Oaks surrounding Lang Ranch and Dos Vientos
CVUSD is the largest district in the Conejo Valley and offers a broad selection of schools, academic programs, athletics, performing arts, STEM opportunities, and extracurricular activities. One advantage of the district's size is the variety of educational opportunities available across multiple campuses.
Families Often Appreciate
Diverse neighborhoods
Excellent high schools
Strong athletics
Arts and music programs
Numerous Advanced Placement offerings
Wide variety of extracurricular activities
Popular Family Neighborhoods
Lang Ranch
Dos Vientos Ranch
Lynn Ranch
Wildwood
Sunset Hills
North Ranch (Ventura County portion)
Conejo Oaks
Kevington
Several of these neighborhoods are known for sidewalks, parks, and elementary schools within walking or biking distance for many families.
Oak Park Unified School District (OPUSD)
If academics are your family's highest priority, Oak Park is frequently at the top of buyers' wish lists. Oak Park Unified is a smaller, highly regarded district serving only Oak Park, allowing for a close-knit community feel with consistently strong academic outcomes.
Many relocating families specifically target homes within Oak Park because of the district's reputation in past years. Be sure to schedule a school tour to explore whether the curriculum and culture is the right fit for your family.
Families Love
Smaller district
Strong academic performance
High graduation rates
Active parent community
Excellent college preparation
Popular Neighborhoods
Country Vista
Regency Hills
Morrison Sutton
Chambord
Monte Carlo
Hillcrest
Many neighborhoods are connected by trails, parks, and sidewalks that make walking to school a realistic option.
Award-Winning Elementary Schools
While every family's priorities are different, several elementary schools throughout the Conejo Valley are especially popular with relocating buyers because of their strong reputations and engaged communities.
Examples include schools serving neighborhoods such as:
Round Meadow Elementary (Westlake Village)
White Oak Elementary (Westlake Village)
Willow Elementary (Agoura Hills)
Sumac Elementary (Agoura Hills)
Oak Hills Elementary (Oak Park)
Red Oak Elementary (Oak Park)
Weathersfield Elementary (Thousand Oaks)
Lang Ranch Elementary (Thousand Oaks)
Westlake Hills Elementary (Westlake Village)
Rather than focusing only on rankings, we encourage families to consider factors like campus culture, extracurricular activities, commute times, and neighborhood fit.
Private Schools in the Conejo Valley
Some buyers also explore independent or faith-based schools. Popular private school options include:
Oaks Christian School (Westlake Village)
St. Jude the Apostle School (Westlake Village)
Ilan Ramon Day School (Agoura Hills)
Ascension Lutheran School (Thousand Oaks)
Hillcrest Christian School (Thousand Oaks)
La Reina High School (Thousand Oaks)
St. Patrick's Episcopal Day School (Thousand Oaks)
Many families choose the Conejo Valley specifically because they have outstanding options in both public and private education.
Walkability Matters More Than You Think
One thing many relocating families tell us they miss is being able to walk their children to school. Fortunately, several Conejo Valley neighborhoods were thoughtfully designed with schools integrated into residential communities.
Neighborhoods with particularly good walkability often include:
First Neighborhood
Foxmoor
Westlake Hills
Oak Park
Lang Ranch
Wildwood
Morrison Ranch
Imagine morning walks to school followed by coffee at a nearby café or afternoon bike rides home through tree-lined streets. That's still part of everyday life in many Conejo Valley communities.
Which School District Is Best?
This is probably the question we hear most. Our answer? There isn't one "best" district… there's a best fit for your family.
Some families prioritize:
Smaller class sizes
College preparation
Athletics
Music programs
STEM
Commute times
Walkability
Community feel
Budget
Home size
Future resale value
School district is only one piece of the puzzle. As local experts, we spend time helping families find the right combination of neighborhood, home, lifestyle, commute, and schools.
Local Insider Tip
One mistake we see relocating buyers make is searching online by city name alone. For example, simply searching for homes in Westlake Village can produce properties in either Las Virgenes Unified or Conejo Valley Unified, depending on which side of the county line they're located.
If school district is important to you, it's essential to verify attendance boundaries before making an offer. That's something we help our clients navigate every day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest-rated school district in the Conejo Valley?
Oak Park Unified, Las Virgenes Unified, and Conejo Valley Unified all have excellent reputations. The best choice depends on your family's priorities, preferred neighborhoods, and lifestyle.
Is Westlake Village in Las Virgenes or Conejo Valley Unified?
Both. Westlake Village is split between Los Angeles County and Ventura County, so homes may fall within either district depending on location. Always verify school boundaries before purchasing.
Is Conejo Valley a good place to raise a family?
Absolutely. Families are drawn to the area for its highly regarded schools, beautiful neighborhoods, parks, outdoor recreation, youth sports, and strong sense of community.
Does school district affect home values?
In many cases, yes. Homes located within sought-after school attendance areas often experience strong buyer demand. However, many factors influence home values, including location, condition, floor plan, inventory, proximity to amenities, and overall market conditions.
Thinking About Relocating to the Conejo Valley?
Choosing the right home isn't just about square footage or price, it's about finding the community where your family will thrive.
At Lydia Gable Realty Group, agents are Relocation Certified and have helped hundreds of families relocate to Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills, Oak Park, Newbury Park, and surrounding communities. We can help you compare neighborhoods, understand school district boundaries, and find the home that best matches your family's goals.
Whether you're moving across Los Angeles or across the country, we're here to help make your transition as smooth and informed as possible. Lydia@LydiaGable.com
