For the 2024-25 school year, there are 22 public schools serving 10,982 students in Palo Alto, CA (there are 35 private schools, serving 4,799 private students). 70% of all K-12 students in Palo Alto, CA are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 89%). Palo Alto has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in California.
The top ranked public schools in Palo Alto, CA are Herbert Hoover Elementary School, Palo Alto High School and Henry M. Gunn High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Palo Alto, CA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 66% (versus the California public school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 72% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Palo Alto have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 10% of California public schools.
Minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Asian), which is less than the California public school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Palo Alto, CA (2024-25)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Herbert Hoover Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
445 E. Charleston Rd.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 320-8106
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 320-8106
Grades: K-5
| 386 students
Rank: #22.
Palo Alto High School
Magnet School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
50 Embarcadero Rd.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 329-3701
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 329-3701
Grades: 9-12
| 1,992 students
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Henry M. Gunn High School
Magnet School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
780 Arastradero Rd.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 354-8200
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 354-8200
Grades: 9-12
| 1,787 students
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Juana Briones Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
4100 Orme St.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 856-0877
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 856-0877
Grades: K-5
| 258 students
Rank: #55.
Ellen Fletcher Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
655 Arastradero Rd.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 856-9810
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 856-9810
Grades: 6-8
| 515 students
Rank: #66.
Duveneck Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
705 Alester Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 322-5946
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 322-5946
Grades: K-5
| 346 students
Rank: #77.
Ohlone Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
950 Amarillo Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 856-1726
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 856-1726
Grades: K-5
| 463 students
Rank: #88.
Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
480 E. Meadow Dr.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 856-5188
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 856-5188
Grades: 6-8
| 996 students
Rank: #99.
Palo Verde Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
3450 Louis Rd.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 856-1672
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 856-1672
Grades: K-5
| 382 students
Rank: #1010.
Fairmeadow Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
500 E. Meadow Dr.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 856-0845
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 856-0845
Grades: K-5
| 403 students
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Addison Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
650 Addison Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 322-5935
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 322-5935
Grades: K-5
| 331 students
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
El Carmelo Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3024 Bryant St.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 856-0960
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 856-0960
Grades: K-5
| 317 students
Rank: #1313.
Frank S. Greene Jr. Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
750 N. Ca Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(408) 494-8120
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(408) 494-8120
Grades: 6-8
| 755 students
Rank: #1414.
Walter Hays Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1525 Midfield Rd.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 322-5956
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 322-5956
Grades: K-5
| 294 students
Rank: #1515.
Greendell
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
4120 Midfield Rd.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 856-0833
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 856-0833
Grades: K-12
| 34 students
Rank: #1616.
Barron Park Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
800 Barron Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 858-0508
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 858-0508
Grades: K-5
| 211 students
Rank: #1717.
Oxford Day Academy
Magnet School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1001 Beech St.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 260-3152
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 260-3152
Grades: 9-12
| 92 students
Rank: #1818.
East Palo Alto Academy
Magnet School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1050 Myrtle St.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 893-8900
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 893-8900
Grades: 9-12
| 299 students
Rank: #1919.
Los Robles-ronald Mcnair Academy
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2033 Pulgas Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-2888
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-2888
Grades: K-5
| 248 students
Rank: #2020.
Costano Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 3% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2695 Fordham St.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-2830
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-2830
Grades: K-5
| 348 students
Rank: #2121.
Cesar Chavez Ravenswood Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 4% | Reading: 13%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2450 Ralmar St.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-2828
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-2828
Grades: 6-8
| 515 students
Rank: n/an/a
Packard Children's Hospital/stanford
Magnet School
725 Welch Rd.
Palo Alto, CA 94304
(650) 497-8230
Palo Alto, CA 94304
(650) 497-8230
Grades: K-12
| 10 students
Palo Alto, California Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Aspire East Palo Alto Phoenix Academy (Closed 2015)
Charter School
1039 Garden St.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 325-1460
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 325-1460
Grades: 9-12
| 202 students
2086 Clarke St.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-2881
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-2881
Grades: K-5
| n/a students
2450 Ralmar St.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-6700
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-6700
Grades: 8
| 121 students
2450 Ralmar St.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-6700
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-6700
Grades: 4-8
| 514 students
2086 Clarke St.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 614-4300
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 614-4300
Grades: 6-8
| 110 students
2450 Ralmar St.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-2800
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-2800
Grades: K-5
| 35 students
951 Oconnor St. E.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-2800
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-2800
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Rocketship Eight Elementary School (Closed 2014)
Charter School
420 Florence St., Ste. 300
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(877) 806-0920
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(877) 806-0920
Grades: K-3
| n/a students
2033 Pulgas Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-2800
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-2800
Grades: 6-8
| 114 students
Po Box 51071
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 328-5696
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 328-5696
Grades: K-7
| 49 students
Sequoia Community Day (Closed 2015)
Alternative School
763 Green St.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 323-1085
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 323-1085
Grades: 9-12
| 41 students
South Community High School (Closed 2013)
Alternative School
2031 Pulgas Ave
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 599-1517
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 599-1517
Grades: 9-12
| 8 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Palo Alto, CA?
The top ranked public schools in Palo Alto, CA include Herbert Hoover Elementary School, Palo Alto High School and Henry M. Gunn High School. Palo Alto has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in California.
How many public schools are located in Palo Alto?
22 public schools are located in Palo Alto.
What percentage of students in Palo Alto go to public school?
70% of all K-12 students in Palo Alto are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 89%).
What is the racial composition of students in Palo Alto?
Palo Alto public schools minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Asian), which is less than the California public schools average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Palo Alto are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Palo Alto include: Fairmeadow Elementary School vs. Herbert Hoover Elementary School, Herbert Hoover Elementary School vs. Fairmeadow Elementary School, Ohlone Elementary School vs. Walter Hays Elementary School
Recent Articles
College Application Requirement for High School Graduation? DC Weighs Possibility
The article discusses a proposal in Washington D.C. to make college applications a requirement for high school graduation. It examines the potential benefits and drawbacks of such a policy, including its impact on graduation rates and college attendance. The piece also considers similar initiatives in other states and the debate surrounding this approach
Bribing Students to Get Good Grades: The Debate
This piece explores the controversial practice of offering monetary rewards to students for good grades. It examines studies conducted in various cities, discussing the effectiveness of such programs and the ethical concerns they raise. The article presents arguments from both supporters and critics of this approach to student motivation.
September 27, 2024
Understanding RubricsThis article explores the fundamental principles of rubrics in education, focusing on their role as assessment tools. It breaks down the key components of rubrics, including criteria, performance levels, and descriptors. The piece also delves into the two main types of rubrics - holistic and analytic - providing authoritative definitions and explaining their unique applications in educational settings.
