Best Schools in Stanford, California
3 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 High
Choosing a school in Stanford?
Use this page to compare every school in Stanford 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.
Lucille M. Nixon Elementary
Elementary · Palo Alto Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Escondido Elementary
Elementary · Palo Alto Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Schools
3
2 public · 1 private
Avg Score
8.8
out of 10
Median Home
$2,000,001
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
3
2 public · 1 private
Avg Score
8.8
out of 10
Median Home
$2,000,001
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +1.3 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Stanford schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Stanford
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (2 of 3). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lucille M. Nixon Elementary | 9.2 / 10 |
| 2 | Escondido Elementary | 8.4 / 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
- 8.8/10
- Median household income
- $72,470
- Median home value
- $2,000,001
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 91%
- Avg commute
- 15 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 27%
100% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Stanford compares
Median household income
$72k
73% of California median
About Schools in Stanford, California
Stanford, California is home to 3 schools, including 2 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, , and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 8.8 out of 10, schools in Stanford 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 Stanford is Lucille M. Nixon Elementary with a composite score of 9.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Stanford is served by 1 school district: Palo Alto Unified. These districts collectively serve 10,271 students.
Stanford's community shows 91% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $72,470. The poverty rate in the area is 17.5%.
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 | 354 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.2 |
| 2 | 460 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.4 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vr School of Ai (campus 113355)
Private
8 students · 6th–12th | — |
Schools in Stanford
Stanford, California · 3 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$72,470
Median Home Value
$2,000,001
Median Rent
$1,937/mo
Population
17,912
College Educated
91%
Homeownership
27%
Avg Commute
15 min
Poverty Rate
17.5%
Community Profile
Stanford has a median household income of $72,470. It is a well-educated community where 91% 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 $1,937/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.5%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 2
- High
- 1
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 Stanford, California
How many schools are in Stanford, California?
Stanford has 3 schools, including 2 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Stanford, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Stanford is 8.8 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 Stanford, California?
The top-ranked school in Stanford on MySchoolScout is Lucille M. Nixon Elementary with a composite score of 9.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Stanford, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Stanford on MySchoolScout is Lucille M. Nixon Elementary with a composite score of 9.2/10.
How many school districts serve Stanford, California?
Stanford is served by 1 school district: Palo Alto Unified.
What is the education level in Stanford, California?
According to Census data, 91% of adults in Stanford have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Stanford, California?
The median household income in Stanford is approximately $72,470 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Stanford, California?
Yes, Stanford has 1 private school alongside 2 public schools.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Stanford, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Stanford 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 Stanford, 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
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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.