Palo Alto Unified School District

25 Churchill Ave
Palo Alto, CA 94306-1005
(District boundaries shown in map)
10/
10
Top 5%

Top Rankings

Palo Alto Unified School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in California for:

Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 5%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 5%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 5%)
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 5%)
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 5%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
Student Attention
Lowest student:teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there is 1 public preschool serving 15 students in Palo Alto Unified School District.
Public Preschools in Palo Alto Unified School District have a diversity score of 0.69, which is less than the California public preschool average of 0.74.
Minority enrollment is 60% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public preschool average of 80% (majority Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
20 Schools
47 Schools
# Students
10,254 Students
20,115 Students
# Teachers
600 Teachers
630 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
17:1
17:1

District Rank

Palo Alto Unified School District, which is ranked #27 of all 1,925 school districts in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 96% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School District
State Average (CA)
#28 out of 1941 school districts
(Top 5%)
This chart displays the overall district rank of Palo Alto Unified  School District, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
78%
33%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Palo Alto Unified  School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
82%
47%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Palo Alto Unified  School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
72%
29%
96%
87%
This chart displays public school graduation rate of Palo Alto Unified  School District and public school graduation rate of California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.

Students by Ethnicity:

0.72
0.74
# American Indian Students
6 Students
154 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
2%
# Asian Students
4,232 Students
1,257 Students
% Asian Students
41%
7%
# Hispanic Students
1,606 Students
8,807 Students
% Hispanic Students
16%
44%
# Black Students
180 Students
2,351 Students
% Black Students
2%
12%
# White Students
2,960 Students
4,154 Students
% White Students
29%
21%
# Hawaiian Students
92 Students
171 Students
% Hawaiian Students
1%
2%
# Two or more races Students
1,171 Students
643 Students
% of Two or more races Students
11%
4%

Students by Grade:

# Students in PK Grade:
-
18
# Students in K Grade:
750
4,410
# Students in 1st Grade:
650
1,274
# Students in 2nd Grade:
694
1,228
# Students in 3rd Grade:
729
1,320
# Students in 4th Grade:
710
1,316
# Students in 5th Grade:
734
1,281
# Students in 6th Grade:
771
1,267
# Students in 7th Grade:
757
1,363
# Students in 8th Grade:
809
1,444
# Students in 9th Grade:
870
1,363
# Students in 10th Grade:
906
1,386
# Students in 11th Grade:
898
1,328
# Students in 12th Grade:
976
1,117
# Ungraded Students:
-
-

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $28,183 is higher than the state median of $19,974. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $30,120 is higher than the state median of $18,396. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
This School District
This State (CA)
Total Revenue
$289 MM
$116,387 MM
This chart displays total revenue of Palo Alto Unified  School District and median value from total revenues of all school districts in California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending
$309 MM
$107,188 MM
This chart displays total spending of Palo Alto Unified  School District and median value from total spendings of all school districts in California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Revenue / Student
$28,183
$19,974
This chart displays average revenue per public school student in Palo Alto Unified  School District and average revenue per public school student of all school districts in California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending / Student
$30,120
$18,396
This chart displays average spending per public school student in Palo Alto Unified  School District and average spending per public school student of all school districts in California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Best Palo Alto Unified School District Public Preschools (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Greendell
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
4120 Middlefield Rd.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 856-0833
Grades: K
| 15 students

Recent Articles

What Is A Charter School?
What Is A Charter School?
Explore the world of charter schools in this comprehensive guide. Learn about their history, how they operate, and the pros and cons of this educational innovation. Discover key facts about charter schools, including admission policies, demographics, and funding, as well as what to look for when considering a charter school for your child.
10 Reasons Why High School Sports Benefit Students
10 Reasons Why High School Sports Benefit Students
Discover the 10 compelling reasons why high school sports are beneficial for students. This comprehensive article explores how athletics enhance academic performance, foster personal growth, and develop crucial life skills. From improved fitness and time management to leadership development and community representation, learn why participating in high school sports can be a game-changer for students' overall success and well-being.
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and Evolution
February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and Evolution
We explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.

Quick Stats (2025)

  • District size: 20 schools
  • Grades: KG-12
  • Enrollment: 10,254 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 17:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 71%
  • : 96% (Top 5% in CA)
  • : Top 5%
  • : 78% (Top 5%)
  • : 82% (Top 5%)
  • : 72% (Top 5%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education

Quick Links