Understanding the School Districts Before Buying a Home

If you have school-age kids (or plan to), this might be the most important thing you read about moving to the Conejo Valley.

The area has three main school districts, and understanding the differences will impact where you should focus your home search.

Here’s what makes this a bit confusing: the districts don’t align with the towns. 

• Westlake Village is split between two school districts. 
• Part of Thousand Oaks (Lang Ranch) feeds into a different high school than others. 
• And Oak Park has its own tiny district that parents specifically move here for.

Let’s dive a little deeper…

The Three School Districts

Oak Park Unified School District (OPUSD)

Covers: Oak Park only
Size: 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, 1 high school
Reputation: Best academic reputation in the Conejo Valley

I’ve had many buyers focus their entire home search solely around this district. It’s small, modern, and consistently ranks at the top for academics. 

Oak Park High School has high graduation rates, strong college readiness programs, and a reputation for having the strongest academics of our 5 high local schools. 

All 3 elementary schools are recognized as top-notch in the area, but the middle school is where I personally saw the biggest contrast. 

I moved my own kids from Colina Middle School (CVUSD) to Medea Creek Middle School in Oak Park, and it was eye-opening. The Medea facilities were more modern, the teachers seemed more involved, and the students felt more focused. I’m not saying the other middle schools are bad, they’re not. But there’s a noticeable difference, and that difference often shows up in home prices.

The trade-off? Sports and extracurriculars aren’t quite as strong as LVUSD & CVUSD schools. And because it’s so sought-after, homes in Oak Park are more expensive than comparable homes in other towns.

Best for: Families who prioritize academics above all else and are willing to pay a little extra for it.

👉 See what it’s like to live in Oak Park

Las Virgenes Unified School District (LVUSD)

Covers: Agoura Hills, Calabasas, and the LA County side of Westlake Village
Size: 8 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, 2 high schools (Agoura High and Calabasas High)
Reputation: Strong academics AND strong athletics/extracurriculars

LVUSD is often the preferred district because it balances academics with robust sports programs, arts, and electives. Both Agoura High and Calabasas High rank well for academics and have strong athletic programs.

Here’s where it gets confusing: Westlake Village is split by the LA County/Ventura County line. The LA County side feeds into LVUSD (Agoura High). The Ventura County side feeds into CVUSD (Westlake High).

The trade-off? While LVUSD schools are excellent, they don’t quite have Oak Park’s singular focus on academics. And if you’re comparing to Westlake High (which is in CVUSD), Agoura High is a step below, still excellent, just not considered the absolute best in the area. You’re also paying a premium for LVUSD homes, though slightly less than Oak Park.  

Best for: Families who want excellent schools with strong athletics and extracurricular programs.

👉 See what it’s like to live in Agoura Hills
👉 See what it’s like to live in Westlake Village

Conejo Valley Unified School District (CVUSD)

Covers: Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, and the Ventura County side of Westlake Village
Size: 17 elementary schools, 5 middle schools, 3 high schools
Reputation: Very good to excellent, but scores vary by neighborhood

CVUSD is the largest district in the area. Most schools rank very good to excellent, but with 17 elementary schools, you can imagine that quality varies depending on the neighborhood. Some schools are on par with LVUSD and OPUSD. Others are still good but not quite at the same level. 

The elementary schools that service Westlake Village (Ventura County side), are top notch and have excellent reputations. Lang Ranch in Thousand Oaks has the same reputation. It’s other parts of TO and Newbury Park where the differences often show up.  

What to know: Lang Ranch in Thousand Oaks is the only part of Thousand Oaks that feeds into Westlake High School (CVUSD). This makes it particularly popular with buyers who want Thousand Oaks pricing with Westlake High access.

Best for: Families who want good schools without paying the Oak Park or Westlake Village premium.

👉 See what it’s like to live in Thousand Oaks
👉 See what it’s like to live in Newbury Park

The Westlake Village Confusion (This Trips Everyone Up)

Westlake Village is split by the LA County/Ventura County line. The official incorporated city of Westlake Village is in LA County only. The township of Westlake Village (Ventura County side) is technically part of Thousand Oaks.

• LA County side = LVUSD → Elementary and middle schools feed into LVUSD, high school is Agoura High
  
• Ventura County side = CVUSD → Elementary, middle, and high school all feed into CVUSD, high school is Westlake High

Here’s what makes this confusing: Westlake High School (often considered the best overall high school in the area) is actually in CVUSD, not LVUSD. So if your priority is getting your kids into Westlake High, you’d want the Ventura County side of Westlake Village.

Both districts are solid, but they offer different things. LVUSD (Agoura High) is known for balancing academics with strong sports and extracurriculars. CVUSD (Westlake High) is known for having the strongest overall program – academics, athletics, and electives.

How do you know which side you’re on?

When you explore my neighborhood pages, each page lists the schools assigned to that specific neighborhood. 

Or, better yet, ask your agent (me). I can tell you immediately which district a specific address falls into. It’s not always obvious from the street.

High Schools Ranked (Unofficial But Generally Agreed Upon)

This isn’t an official ranking, but it’s the general consensus among parents and real estate agents who work in the area:

1. Westlake High School (CVUSD)
Best overall. Strong academics, excellent sports programs, diverse electives. This is the one many parents want.

2. Oak Park High School (OPUSD)
Best academic reputation. High graduation and college readiness rates. Sports and electives aren’t quite up to Westlake’s level, but academics are top-tier.

3. Agoura High School (LVUSD)
Strong academics, solid programs across the board. Just a slight notch below Westlake and Oak Park, but still excellent.

4. Thousand Oaks High School (CVUSD)
Same strengths as Agoura High, just not quite as highly regarded. Still a very good school.

5. Newbury Park High School (CVUSD)
Test scores are a bit lower than the other four. It’s still a good school—just can’t quite catch up to the others.

So Which District Should You Target?

If academics are your #1 priority:
→ Oak Park (OPUSD) is your best bet. Be prepared to pay a premium.

If you want academics + sports + extracurriculars:
→ Agoura Hills or the LA County side of Westlake Village (LVUSD).

If you want Westlake High School access at a lower price:
→ Lang Ranch in Thousand Oaks (only part of T.O. that feeds into Westlake High).

If you want good schools without the premium pricing:
→ Thousand Oaks or Newbury Park (CVUSD). Research specific neighborhoods—some schools are better than others.

One More Thing: Conejo Valley Has Open Enrollment

This means you’re not locked into your assigned school. You can apply to transfer to another school within the same district (and sometimes across districts) if there’s space available.

I’ve actually done this myself. When we moved to Oak Park, my kids didn’t want to leave their friends at their current school in CVUSD. I requested an interdistrict transfer, and it was granted without much hassle.

This gives you flexibility, but the most sought-after schools often have waitlists. So while it’s possible to get into a different school, it’s not guaranteed.

Bottom line: It’s still worth buying in the neighborhood with the schools you want, rather than counting on a transfer. But if you fall in love with a house that’s just outside your preferred school boundary, open enrollment might give you a path forward.

👉 Learn more about how open enrollment works

What About Charter Schools?

If you’re not sure traditional public schools are the right fit for your family, the Conejo Valley also has several charter schools offering alternative teaching styles and classroom environments.

Charter schools like MATES, Bridges, River Oaks Academy, and Compass provide options for families looking for different educational approaches—everything from arts-focused programs to independent study models.

👉 Learn more about Conejo Valley charter schools

Want Help Narrowing Down Neighborhoods Based on Schools?

Ready to explore neighborhoods by school district?
Browse all 165 Conejo Valley neighborhood profiles here using the school district filter → Conejo Valley Neighborhoods

Or if you’d rather talk it through first, call or text me at 818-384-9929 and we’ll narrow it down together.

FAQs About Conejo Valley School Districts