Best Schools in Atherton, California
9 schools · 4 Elementary · 4 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Atherton?
Use this page to compare every school in Atherton by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Laurel Elementary
Elementary · Menlo Park City Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Las Lomitas Elementary
Elementary · Las Lomitas Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Encinal Elementary
Elementary · Menlo Park City Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Atherton for 2026 are Laurel Elementary (9.7/10), Las Lomitas Elementary (9.2/10), and Encinal Elementary (8.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 7 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
9
5 public · 4 private
Avg Score
8.3
out of 10
Median Home
$2,000,001
home value · ACS
Districts
4
serving the city
Schools
9
5 public · 4 private
Avg Score
8.3
out of 10
Median Home
$2,000,001
home value · ACS
Districts
4
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +7.2 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Atherton schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Atherton
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (7 of 9). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Laurel Elementary | 9.7 / 10 |
| 2 | Las Lomitas Elementary | 9.2 / 10 |
| 3 | Encinal Elementary | 8.9 / 10 |
| 4 | Menlo-atherton High | 8.6 / 10 |
| 5 | Adelante Selby Spanish Immersion | 8.0 / 10 |
| 6 | Sacred Heart Schools Atherton | 7.5 / 10 |
| 7 | Menlo School | 6.4 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 8.3/10
- 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
#10 of 597
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+2.1
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 8.3 out of 10, schools in Atherton perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Atherton is Laurel Elementary with a composite score of 9.7/10, 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 | 9.7 |
| 2 | 567 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 9.2 |
| 3 | 629 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.9 |
| 4 | 556 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.0 |
High Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,152 students · 9th–12th | 8.6 | ||
| 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 | 6.4 | ||
| 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 | 7.5 |
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.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 4
- High
- 4
- Other
- 1
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently 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 8.3 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Atherton, California?
The top-ranked school in Atherton on MySchoolScout is Laurel Elementary with a composite score of 9.7/10.
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 9.7/10.
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 8.6/10.
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 built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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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.