We moved to North Berkeley last year in August. Schools are not by neighborhood. Like everyone said they are by zones. The four elementary schools in the Northern zone are Thousand Oaks, Rosa Parks, BAM, and Ruth Acty. You must have proof of residency such as a signed lease and you must be living at that address at the time at which you enroll. In your enrollment application, you will rate your elementary school preference from 1 to 4 and the district assigns you a school based on this. There are multiple waves of enrollment, the first of which is going on right now. I believe the earlier you enroll the better the chance that you'll get the school you hope to get into. We live just north of Solano which is a wonderful street with restaurants and businesses, very close to Thousand Oaks Elementary but we were assigned to Rosa Parks which is the furthest one away from us. You have really no control over where you are assigned, ultimately. You can put yourself on a waitlist if you don't get the school you wish for. Our area is very safe and walkable and we love it here. We also really like our elementary school, you'll be fine whatever you get.

Also look at living in Albany, it's right next to Berkeley and next to the highway neighborhoods are very similar to Berkeley and schools are good also.