Best Schools in Atherton, California
9 schools · 4 Elementary · 4 High · 1 Other
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 7.7/10
- Median household income
- $232,936
- Median home value
- $2,000,001
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 80%
- Avg commute
- 24 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 73%
86% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Atherton compares
California rank
#19 of 596
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.4
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$233k
234% of California median
Schools in this city
7
About Schools in Atherton, California
Atherton, California is home to 9 schools, including 5 public schools and 4 private schools. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, , and 4 high schools.
With an average rating of 7.7 out of 10, schools in Atherton perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
The highest-performing school in Atherton is Menlo-atherton High with a composite score of 8.8/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Atherton is served by 4 school districts. These districts collectively serve 18,776 students.
Atherton's community shows 80% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $232,936. The poverty rate in the area is 4.0%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 660 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.7 |
| 2 | 567 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 7.8 |
| 3 | 556 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.5 |
| 4 | 629 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.4 |
High Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,152 students · 9th–12th | 8.8 | ||
| Private Schools 3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | MENLO SCHOOL
Private
818 students · 6th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Menlo
Private
805 students · 6th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton
Private
1,125 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SACRED HEART SCHOOLS ATHERTON
Private
1,118 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in Atherton
Atherton, California · 9 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$232,936
Median Home Value
$2,000,001
Median Rent
$3,335/mo
Population
47,260
College Educated
80%
Homeownership
73%
Avg Commute
24 min
Poverty Rate
4.0%
Community Profile
Atherton has a median household income of $232,936. It is a well-educated community where 80% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $2,000,001, with a median rent of $3,335/month. The local poverty rate of 4.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Quick Facts
- State
- California
- Total Schools
- 9
- Elementary
- 4
- High
- 4
- Districts
- 4
- Avg Rating
- 7.7/10
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Atherton, California
How many schools are in Atherton, California?
Atherton has 9 schools, including 5 public and 4 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Atherton, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Atherton is 7.7 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
What is the top-ranked school in Atherton, California?
The top-ranked school in Atherton on MySchoolScout is Menlo-atherton High with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Atherton, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Atherton on MySchoolScout is Laurel Elementary with a composite score of 8.7/10.
What is the best high school in Atherton, California?
The top-ranked high school in Atherton on MySchoolScout is Menlo-atherton High with a composite score of 8.8/10.
How many school districts serve Atherton, California?
Atherton is served by 4 school districts: Las Lomitas Elementary, Menlo Park City Elementary, Redwood City Elementary, Sequoia Union High.
What is the education level in Atherton, California?
According to Census data, 80% of adults in Atherton have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Atherton, California?
The median household income in Atherton is approximately $232,936 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Atherton, California?
Yes, Atherton has 4 private schools alongside 5 public schools. The top-rated private school is Sacred Heart Schools Atherton with a score of 7.5/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Atherton, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Atherton is 13.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Atherton, California?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.
Related reading
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, California Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.