The Santa Clarita area is well known for being a great place to live in the Los Angeles County area, in part because of its outstanding schools. This year, the California State Board of Education has named five Santa Clarita elementary schools to their list of 2008 California Distinguished Schools.

Valencia's Bridgeport Elementary, NorthPark Elementary, and Charles Helmers Elementary schools were honored with the Distinguished Schools award this year, as well as Saugus' Emblem and Mountanview Elementary schools.

The California Distinguished Schools program was started in 1985 to honor schools with quality educational programs, and alternates each year between awards for elementary and secondary schools.

Charles Helmers school not only met the API (Academic Performance Index) requirement for distinguished schools, it far exceeded the minimum requirements for a Distinguished School with an API score of 907. Mountainview Elementary almost broke the 900 mark as well, with an API score of 893. The other three schools had API scores above 800.

Extracurricular activities are in abundance at these schools to enhance the students' educational experience. Mountainview boasts an accomplished orchestra. Helmers benefits from a unique relationship with the Los Angeles Music Center, which brings visiting artists to the school. Bridgeport and NorthPark have visual and performing arts programs as well.

If you're thinking of relocating within the Los Angeles County area and haven't checked out the Santa Clarita Valley yet, now's the time to take advantage of the family-oriented quality of life and great schools that Santa Clarita has to offer!