El Dorado Hills isn’t just a scenic California community—it’s a place where education takes center stage. Families here enjoy a mix of top-tier public schools, specialized private institutions, and access to nearby colleges, all designed to equip students with the tools they need to thrive. Let’s break down what makes this area a standout choice for learners of all ages.
Public Schools: Building Futures, One Student at a Time
El Dorado Hills’ public schools are part of three award-winning districts: Buckeye Union Elementary, Rescue Union Elementary, and El Dorado Union High School. These districts consistently earn praise for their innovative programs and academic rigor.
- Oak Ridge High School is the crown jewel, regularly ranked among California’s best. With Advanced Placement (AP) courses, championship athletics, and a thriving arts scene, students here are primed for college and beyond.
- Rolling Hills Middle School and Marina Village Middle School focus on leadership and curiosity, offering everything from robotics clubs to community service projects.
- At the elementary level, schools like Oak Meadow and Lakeview blend technology with hands-on learning. Think coding labs for fifth graders and outdoor science experiments under the Sierra Nevada sun.
Extracurriculars? They’ve got that covered too. From Mandarin immersion programs to Montessori charters, there’s a path for every passion.
Private Schools: Tailored Learning for Every Learner
El Dorado Hills delivers to families seeking alternative education models. The area’s private schools emphasize small class sizes and specialized approaches:
- Sacramento Waldorf School (Fair Oaks) focuses on creativity and outdoor learning, with a 7:1 student-teacher ratio. Post-pandemic, their outdoor classrooms became a model for resilience.
- Golden Hills School offers personalized middle school programs in which students design independent projects, such as building solar-powered gadgets or writing novellas.
- Faith-based options like Holy Trinity School combine academic rigor with community values and boast test scores that rival those of top public institutions.
These schools aren’t just about academics. They’re about nurturing confident, curious individuals—whether through art studios, farm-to-table gardening, or leadership retreats.
Nearby Colleges: Higher Education, Closer Than You Think
While El Dorado Hills doesn’t have universities within city limits, higher ed is just a short drive away:
- Folsom Lake College (20 minutes west) offers associate degrees and career certifications in fields such as nursing and environmental science.
- Sierra College (Rocklin campus) offers bachelor’s degree partnerships with Cal State schools, letting students complete four-year degrees locally.
- For those eyeing private universities, William Jessup University (35 minutes south) specializes in business and liberal arts with a faith-based lens.
These institutions allow students to pursue higher education without leaving the region—or they can be a stepping stone to UC Davis, Stanford, or other top-tier schools.
Why Families Choose El Dorado Hills
What sets this community apart? Three things:
Community Involvement
Parents here aren’t just spectators—they’re partners. PTAs fundraise for STEM labs, local businesses sponsor robotics teams, and retired professionals mentor students.
Outdoor Classrooms
The Sierra foothills aren’t just a backdrop. Schools use hiking trails for biology lessons, lakes for environmental science lessons, and ski resorts for PE classes.
Future-Ready Focus
Whether it’s Oak Ridge’s college prep track or Buckeye Union’s coding boot camps for elementary students, El Dorado Hills schools prioritize skills for tomorrow’s economy.
The Bottom Line
El Dorado Hills proves you don’t need a big city to access big opportunities. With schools catering to tech whizzes, artists, athletes, and everyone in between, it’s a community where education isn’t just a system but a way of life. Come for the quality classrooms; stay for the lifelong love of learning.
Sources: eldoradohillschamber.org, franklin.edu, niche.com
Header Image Source: Kimberly Farmer on Unsplash
