relocating to Peninsula/South Bay/San Jose - high schools and housing
Looking for information about the student experience and culture of the following high schools and communities: Carlmont, Aragon, Los Altos; Pioneer; Prospect; Leland. We are a down-to-earth family that isn't interested in a pressure-cooker school, preferring a well-rounded, traditional school spirit environment, solid orchestra programs with bonus points for multi-tiered strings. Welcoming community, with reasonable chance of a rental popping up in the next three months (3+ bedroom, dog-friendly with garage). Work location is Sunnyvale. If my initial searches missed schools in the area we should take a look at, please include those. Finally, advice for a mid-school year move would be helpful. Relocating from a district where first semester ends mid-January, so we are well aware that our student would need to work ahead and take exams mid-December.