A family recently consulted about moving to Buena Park and applied to a nearby private school, only to find themselves on the waitlist. The desired grade was already full. Popular private schools often fill their spots well ahead of the admission season. Since there aren't many large private schools in Buena Park that offer high school programs, many families also consider Fairmont Preparatory Academy in Anaheim, which is about a 15-minute drive away.

Fairmont Prep is an IB World School that offers 24 AP courses as part of its college preparatory program. The annual tuition is approximately $32,446, and 96% of graduates receive acceptance notifications from the top 100 colleges in the U.S. The acceptance list includes schools like Harvard, Yale, Stanford, MIT, UCLA, and USC. However, since this school is located in Anaheim and not Buena Park, it's important to check the commute time based on a Buena Park address.

Within Buena Park, schools like St. Pius V Catholic School, which offers K-8 programs, are consistently mentioned for their academic performance. Some families choose to complete their education up to high school within Buena Park and then transition to private high schools in nearby cities.

Geographically, Buena Park is adjacent to cities like Anaheim, Fullerton, and La Habra. Therefore, it is common for residents of Buena Park to compare private schools or high-performing public schools in neighboring cities. Many families believe that as long as the commute distance is short, the city boundary is not a significant concern, while others prefer to keep all their needs within Buena Park, leading to different priorities in their choices.

Returning to the topic of waitlists, the more popular private schools often have internal policies like sibling priority and current student registration, which means new applicants frequently find themselves on a waitlist. If you're interested in a school, it's advisable to start looking into application timelines more than a year in advance to secure a spot.

Looking at housing prices, the average value of homes in Buena Park, according to Zillow, is $832,876, which has decreased by 2.6% over the past year. The median sale price of homes sold in June 2026 was $861,000, and as of August, the median listing price for homes was around $899,000. This is somewhat lower than Anaheim, leading many families to settle in Buena Park despite the commute distance.

For families moving from out of state, it's also worth noting that California's property taxes and transaction costs may differ from their previous residence. Since property taxes are based on the purchase price, it's helpful to factor in estimated property taxes along with the listing price when comparing properties.

Considering renting is also a viable option. For families who find it challenging to decide on a school and a home simultaneously, renting for about a year near a school of interest can allow them to experience the commute conditions and neighborhood atmosphere before deciding on a purchase. This step-by-step approach can help reduce trial and error, especially for families settling in the area for the first time.

Buena Park has ample amenities, including amusement parks and large shopping malls, but in terms of school districts, it is relatively less frequently mentioned compared to neighboring cities. Therefore, when researching school information, it is practical to broaden the search to include nearby cities rather than relying solely on Buena Park's own data.

Ultimately, in areas like Buena Park where schools in neighboring cities must also be considered, it is more efficient to first map out the commuting routes before narrowing down property options. This article does not constitute investment or legal advice, and it is recommended to verify with both the school admissions office and real estate professionals before making any applications or contracts.