You cant go wrong if the school is IUSD. They are 100% zero tolerance for bs like drugs, etc. With that said, I second Alderwood as a good school, and it has been for quite a long time... even before they moved to Quail Hill. Also, I hear Bonita Canyon is a good school. Dont know about the others but again, its all controlled by IUSD, who doesn't mess around when it comes to education.
I understand that school is an important part of a decision, but there are so many other variables, like price, location, amenities, etc. The choice could go from the ultra high end Bordeax (do you really need an outdoor fireplace?) to the average Park West. Also, I would assume that you prefer to be around families, so check out the different neighborhoods to get some idea about the communities. (As you might know, the lease agents cant give this kind of info since it violates the Fair Housing Act.)
Another option you have is renting a condo/house. The down side is that Irvine apartments are very convenient so if the sink breaks, instead of 24 hours it might take a couple days for a standard landlord. But you might get more space/flexibility with a private landlord.
The point is, shop around. Look at a minimum of 3 places before deciding. I know it is not easy to shop around since all the apartments are IAC, but they have major differences. Ask a leasing agent, tell them exactly what you want. It is there job to find the right place that meets your needs. Even though I think they make a commission for signing you up, they also get a commission for referring you to the proper IAC community. If you go to the higher end places and ask them, usually they have the most experience, and will find the right place for you. Check out the website for the obvious stuff, then fine tune your decision by asking pre-planned questions to a leasing agent.
Good luck
