Best Schools in Palo Alto, California
52 schools · 29 Elementary · 5 Middle · 12 High · 6 Other
Choosing a school in Palo Alto?
Use this page to compare every school in Palo Alto 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.
Juana Briones Elementary
Elementary · Palo Alto Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Fairmeadow Elementary
Elementary · Palo Alto Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Ohlone Elementary
Elementary · Palo Alto Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Palo Alto for 2026 are Juana Briones Elementary (9.5/10), Fairmeadow Elementary (9.1/10), and Ohlone Elementary (9.0/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 15 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
52
17 public · 35 private
Avg Score
7.5
out of 10
Median Home
$1,956,251
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
52
17 public · 35 private
Avg Score
7.5
out of 10
Median Home
$1,956,251
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Rates 9.5/10 despite 9% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 1.3 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Palo Alto schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +7.2 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Palo Alto schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Palo Alto
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 15 rated schools; 52 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Juana Briones Elementary | 9.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Fairmeadow Elementary | 9.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Ohlone Elementary | 9.0 / 10 |
| 4 | Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle | 9.0 / 10 |
| 5 | EL Carmelo Elementary | 8.9 / 10 |
| 6 | Palo Alto High | 8.9 / 10 |
| 7 | Henry M. Gunn High | 8.7 / 10 |
| 8 | Ellen Fletcher Middle | 8.5 / 10 |
| 9 | Frank S. Greene Jr. Middle | 7.9 / 10 |
| 10 | Addison Elementary | 7.8 / 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
- 7.5/10
- Median household income
- $183,152
- Median home value
- $1,956,251
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 74%
- Avg commute
- 22 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 46%
62% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Palo Alto compares
California rank
#35 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.2
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$183k
184% of California median
Schools in this city
34
Education Snapshot
Palo Alto, CaliforniaPalo Alto channels 64 schools through a single district, serving roughly 16,611 students across 33 elementary, 8 middle, and 17 high campuses. Its 33 scored schools average 7.8/10 on MySchoolScout's composite rating — 1.5 points above California's state average of 6.3/10, a margin that places the city well above the statewide benchmark. The socioeconomic backdrop reinforces that picture: a median household income of $191,074 runs 82% above California's statewide median of $105,206, and 69% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Operating under one district rather than multiple removes the budget and curriculum fragmentation common in larger California metros, so most school-to-school variation here reflects program focus rather than resource inequity. Families comparing specific campuses should look past the city's strong composite average and weigh individual school ratings, grade-level offerings, and program fit.
Palo Alto Unified runs Palo Alto's public schools
17 public schools. Palo Alto Unified is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Palo Alto is a Palo Alto Unified school (17 of 17).
Among 15 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 6.1 to 9.5 — the spread is inside Palo Alto, not a citywide average.
About Schools in Palo Alto, California
Palo Alto Unified School District runs 15 ranked public schools across the city, and the numbers stand out immediately: the district averages 8.5 out of 10, with 14 of 15 schools — 93% — scoring 7 or above. That kind of consistency across an entire district is rare. Most cities see sharp drop-offs from the top performers; Palo Alto's floor stays high.
At the top of the list, Juana Briones Elementary earns a 9.6 out of 10, the highest score among all 15 ranked schools. Herbert Hoover Elementary and Ohlone Elementary each score 9.4, and Duveneck Elementary comes in at 8.8. The elementary tier is the district's strongest asset — four schools sitting at 8.8 or above signals a pipeline that prepares students well before they reach secondary school. Henry M. Gunn High rounds out the top five with an 8.8, giving families confidence that high performance doesn't end at fifth grade.
For parents with kids at different grade levels, the breadth here matters. Strong elementary, middle, and high school options within one district means families are unlikely to face the sharp mid-journey quality drop that forces private school decisions in other Bay Area cities. Juana Briones, Hoover, and Ohlone are the clear elementary targets for parents who want to maximize early academics, but even schools further down the list hold solid scores in a district where only one school falls below a 7.
Practically, the competitive pressure in Palo Alto is real. The district draws highly educated families, and school enrollment boundaries are closely watched — where you live determines your school assignment. Parents new to the area should map their prospective home address against boundary lines early, before making housing decisions. Within-district school choice programs exist but are not guaranteed. The district's overall strength means boundary assignment rarely results in a poor outcome, but the gap between a 9.6 and an 8.0 school is still meaningful to many families here.
Elementary Schools
29 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 260 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.5 |
| 2 | 441 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.1 |
| 3 | 448 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.0 |
| 4 | 314 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.9 |
| 5 | 338 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.8 |
| 6 | 386 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.0 |
| 7 | 295 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.0 |
| 8 | 229 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.9 |
| 9 | 366 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.6 |
| 10 | 349 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.1 |
Show all 29 elementary schools in Palo Alto
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,025 students · 6th–8th | 9.0 | ||
| 2 | 549 students · 6th–8th | 8.5 | ||
| 3 | 760 students · 6th–8th | 7.9 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | The Girls' Middle SchoolPrivate 198 students · 6th–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Athena AcademyPrivate 61 students · 1st–8th | Not Rated | ||
High Schools
12 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,932 students · 9th–12th | 8.9 | ||
| 2 | 1,713 students · 9th–12th | 8.7 | ||
Private Schools10 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Kehillah Jewish High SchoolPrivate 189 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Castilleja SchoolPrivate 424 students · 6th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | Fusion Academy - Palo AltoPrivate 27 students · 6th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | Living Widsom High SchoolPrivate 23 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | Meira AcademyPrivate 6 students · 11th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 6 | Vr School of AiPrivate 630 students · 1st–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 7 | Youredu AcademyPrivate 8 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 8 | 80 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 12 high schools in Palo Alto
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20 students · Kindergarten–12th | — | ||
Private Schools5 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 567 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Achieve Inc.Private 58 students · 1st–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | Hope Technology SchoolPrivate 92 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | The Vr SchoolPrivate 630 students · 1st–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | 71 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Palo Alto
Palo Alto, California · 52 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 4 ZIP codes
Median Income
$183,152
Median Home Value
$1,956,251
Median Rent
$3,106/mo
Population
96,507
College Educated
74%
Homeownership
46%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
6.3%
Community Profile
Palo Alto has a median household income of $183,152. It is a well-educated community where 74% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,956,251, with a median rent of $3,106/month. The local poverty rate of 6.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 29
- Middle
- 5
- High
- 12
- Other
- 6
Resources
School District
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 Palo Alto, California
How many schools are in Palo Alto, California?
Palo Alto has 52 schools, including 17 public and 35 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Palo Alto, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Palo Alto is 7.5 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 Palo Alto, California?
The top-ranked school in Palo Alto on MySchoolScout is Juana Briones Elementary with a composite score of 9.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Palo Alto, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Palo Alto on MySchoolScout is Juana Briones Elementary with a composite score of 9.5/10.
What is the best middle school in Palo Alto, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Palo Alto on MySchoolScout is Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best high school in Palo Alto, California?
The top-ranked high school in Palo Alto on MySchoolScout is Palo Alto High with a composite score of 8.9/10.
How many school districts serve Palo Alto, California?
Palo Alto is served by 1 school district: Palo Alto Unified.
What is the education level in Palo Alto, California?
According to Census data, 74% of adults in Palo Alto have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Palo Alto, California?
The median household income in Palo Alto is approximately $183,152 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Palo Alto, California?
Yes, Palo Alto has 35 private schools alongside 17 public schools. The top-rated private school is Bowman School with a score of 9.3/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Palo Alto, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Palo Alto is 10.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Palo Alto, 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 School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Moving before 2027? The federal school choice tax credit follows the state, not youschool choice
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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.