Part of Tarzana’s 8 square miles slopes gently up the Santa Monica Mountains. Streets tend to wind and stop in cul-de-sacs in the foothills, adding to the sense of privacy and security of the mostly sprawling ranch-style homes on large lots. The narrow roads and lack of sidewalks give the community a rural feeling despite the reality check of the 101 Freeway, which slices through the northernmost tip. Tarzana is in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Four elementary schools and one middle school are within its boundaries: Wilbur Avenue Elementary scored the highest of the four with 875 out of a possible 1,000 on the 2003 Academic Performance Index. Nestle Avenue Elementary scored 808, Vanalden 777 and Tarzana Elementary 743. Portola Middle School, a magnet school, scored 720 on the API. Taft High in Woodland Hills, which serves the area, scored 674.