If you are considering education for your child in Palm Springs, there is an unexpected place you should know about. That place is Claremont.

It's a college town located about 40 to 50 minutes west on the I-10 freeway from Palm Springs, and when you first visit, you might wonder, "Why are there so many college students in such a quiet town?" It turns out that some of the most prestigious universities in the United States are gathered here.

I initially thought that Claremont Colleges was the name of a single college. However, I learned that it is not just one school but a unique structure where seven colleges share a campus. Although students belong to different colleges, they can attend classes together and share libraries, dining halls, and athletic facilities, making it a highly unique educational system in the U.S.

The most famous school is Pomona College. It ranks among the top liberal arts colleges in the U.S., and it is known to be quite difficult to get into.

While the student population is not large, the low student-to-faculty ratio is renowned for its high quality of education.

If you are interested in STEM fields, you cannot overlook Harvey Mudd College. It is rated among the best in computer science, engineering, and mathematics, and its graduates have some of the highest starting salaries in the country. Although it is small, it is a school that is truly recognized for its excellence.

Additionally, there are Claremont McKenna College, which excels in politics and economics, Scripps College, a women's liberal arts college, the progressive Pitzer College, and the graduate programs at Claremont Graduate University and Keck Graduate Institute, all located in the same area.

These schools are special to the residents of Palm Springs for a reason: the distance. If a child attends a college in the East or Northern California, they would need to fly, but Claremont is less than an hour's drive. Parents can visit on weekends, and students can come home without much hassle. Psychologically, it feels much closer.

Of course, getting admitted is not easy. Good grades are essential, and students must prepare AP courses, volunteer work, extracurricular activities, and essays to be competitive. However, there is no need to worry too much about the high tuition. Pomona College, in particular, is known for its excellent need-based financial aid. Families with incomes below a certain level may receive significant scholarship support, resulting in actual costs being much lower than expected.

In the U.S., while the name of the college is important, the environment in which you learn is also crucial. In that regard, Claremont is a very special place where a world-class educational environment is gathered in a small town. Living in Palm Springs and having such prestigious colleges within an hour's drive is a significant advantage. If you are considering your child's education, I confidently say that Claremont is a college town worth exploring.