Best Schools in Portola Valley, California
5 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High
Choosing a school in Portola Valley?
Use this page to compare every school in Portola Valley 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.
Corte Madera
Middle · Portola Valley Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Ormondale Elementary
Elementary · Portola Valley Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Woodland School
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Portola Valley for 2026 are Corte Madera (9.4/10), Ormondale Elementary (9.1/10), and Woodland School (7.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 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
5
2 public · 3 private
Avg Score
8.2
out of 10
Median Home
$2,000,001
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
5
2 public · 3 private
Avg Score
8.2
out of 10
Median Home
$2,000,001
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +4.2 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Portola Valley schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Portola Valley
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 5). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Corte Madera | 9.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Ormondale Elementary | 9.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Woodland School | 7.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Woodside Priory School | 7.0 / 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
- 8.2/10
- Median household income
- $250,001
- Median home value
- $2,000,001
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 78%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 85%
100% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How Portola Valley compares
California rank
#13 of 597
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.9
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$250k
251% of California median
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in Portola Valley, California
Portola Valley, California is home to 5 schools, including 2 public schools and 3 private schools. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 8.2 out of 10, schools in Portola Valley 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 Portola Valley is Corte Madera with a composite score of 9.4/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Portola Valley is served by 1 school district: Portola Valley Elementary. These districts collectively serve 504 students.
Portola Valley's community shows 78% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $250,001. The poverty rate in the area is 3.8%.
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
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 245 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 9.1 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Woodland School
Private
261 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.3 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 258 students · 4th–8th | 9.4 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Woodside Priory School
Private
411 students · 6th–12th | 7.0 |
| 2 | Woodside Priory
Private
436 students · 6th–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in Portola Valley
Portola Valley, California · 5 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$250,001
Median Home Value
$2,000,001
Median Rent
$3,501/mo
Population
6,645
College Educated
78%
Homeownership
85%
Poverty Rate
3.8%
Community Profile
Portola Valley has a median household income of $250,001. It is a well-educated community where 78% 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 $3,501/month. The local poverty rate of 3.8% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
Resources
School District
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 Portola Valley, California
How many schools are in Portola Valley, California?
Portola Valley has 5 schools, including 2 public and 3 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Portola Valley, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Portola Valley is 8.2 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 Portola Valley, California?
The top-ranked school in Portola Valley on MySchoolScout is Corte Madera with a composite score of 9.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Portola Valley, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Portola Valley on MySchoolScout is Ormondale Elementary with a composite score of 9.1/10.
What is the best middle school in Portola Valley, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Portola Valley on MySchoolScout is Corte Madera with a composite score of 9.4/10.
What is the best high school in Portola Valley, California?
The top-ranked high school in Portola Valley on MySchoolScout is Woodside Priory School with a composite score of 7.0/10.
How many school districts serve Portola Valley, California?
Portola Valley is served by 1 school district: Portola Valley Elementary.
What is the education level in Portola Valley, California?
According to Census data, 78% of adults in Portola Valley have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Portola Valley, California?
The median household income in Portola Valley is approximately $250,001 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Portola Valley, California?
Yes, Portola Valley has 3 private schools alongside 2 public schools. The top-rated private school is Woodland School with a score of 7.3/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Portola Valley, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Portola Valley is 10.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Portola Valley, 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.