Average
#949 of 1,790 private schools in CA
Athena Academy
Middle School
525 SAN ANTONIO RD, Palo Alto, CA 94306
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 15 schools in Palo Alto. Learn more
Enrollment
58
Student-Teacher
5.3:1
Score
6.2
Grades
1st – 8th
Enrollment
58
Student-Teacher
5.3:1
Score
6.2
Grades
1st – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Palo Alto
#14 of 18
public schools
California middle schools
#25 of 45
Academic performance
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Athena Academy
Athena Academy serves students in grades 1-8 in the heart of Palo Alto, offering an intimate learning environment with just 58 students and an exceptional student-teacher ratio of 5.3:1. This small public middle school employs 11 full-time equivalent teachers, ensuring personalized attention for every student. The school has earned impressive recognition, receiving a 9.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #467 out of 1,790 California schools, placing it in the 74th percentile statewide.
This strong performance reflects the school's commitment to academic excellence in a close-knit educational setting. Located on San Antonio Road, Athena Academy sits within the 94306 ZIP code, one of Palo Alto's most affluent neighborhoods where the median household income reaches $199,800 and median home values exceed $2 million. The community is highly educated, with 82% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and maintains a low poverty rate of just 6.8%.
The school's small size creates opportunities for individualized learning and strong teacher-student relationships that larger institutions often cannot provide. Athena Academy operates within Palo Alto's dynamic small city environment, surrounded by a community that deeply values education and academic achievement.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 58 students, Athena Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 5.3:1, Athena Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, Athena Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $45,295
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $49,634
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 1.10x — Stable
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 91%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $3.0M
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 58 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Athena Academy compares to 14 public schools serving similar grades in Palo Alto, CA
Student Demographics
Nearby Middle Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Athena Academy (this school) | 6.2 |
| Herbert Hoover Elementary | 9.3 |
| Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle | 8.7 |
| Fairmeadow Elementary | 8.5 |
| Palo Verde Elementary | 8.5 |
| Juana Briones Elementary | 9.5 |
| Ellen Fletcher Middle | 8.8 |
| El Carmelo Elementary | 6.4 |
| Barron Park Elementary | 7.2 |
| Ohlone Elementary | 9.3 |
| Frank S. Greene Jr. Middle | 8.5 |
| Walter Hays Elementary | 8.0 |
| Duveneck Elementary | 8.8 |
| Addison Elementary | 8.1 |
| Packard Children's Hospital/Stanford | — |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CA.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in CA
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
525 SAN ANTONIO RD, Palo Alto, CA 94306
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Athena Academy may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Herbert Hoover Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle (rated 8.7/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fairmeadow Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Palo Alto, see our Palo Alto schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Athena Academy Palo Alto | 0.1 mi | — |
| Greendell Palo Alto | 0.1 mi | — |
| GIDEON HAUSNER JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Palo Alto | 0.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School Palo Alto | 0.1 mi | — |
| IMAGINATION LAB SCHOOL Palo Alto | 0.3 mi | — |
| GROSSMAN ACADEMY Palo Alto | 0.3 mi | — |
| LIVING WIDSOM HIGH SCHOOL Palo Alto | 0.3 mi | — |
| Imagination Lab School Palo Alto | 0.3 mi | — |
| PALO ALTO PREPARATORY SCHOOL Mountain View | 0.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Challenger School - Middlefield Palo Alto | 0.5 mi | — |
| Monta Loma Elementary Mountain View | 0.5 mi | 7.3 |
| MEIRA ACADEMY Palo Alto | 0.6 mi | — |
| The Kehillah School Palo Alto | 0.7 mi | — |
| KEHILLAH JEWISH HIGH SCHOOL Palo Alto | 0.7 mi | 5.9 |
| ACHIEVE INC. Palo Alto | 0.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Herbert Hoover Elementary Palo Alto | 0.6 mi | 9.3 |
| WALDORF SCHOOL-PENINSULA Mountain View | 0.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle Palo Alto | 0.8 mi | 8.7 |
| Fairmeadow Elementary Palo Alto | 0.9 mi | 8.5 |
| School for Independent Learners Los Altos | 1.2 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94306 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$186,479
Median Home Value
$2,000,001
Median Rent
$2,927/mo
Population
27,527
College Educated
80.5%
Homeownership
52.2%
Avg Commute
22.9 min
Poverty Rate
8.7%
Median Age
41
Community Profile
The community surrounding Athena Academy has a median household income of $186,479. It is a well-educated community where 81% 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 $2,927/month. The local poverty rate of 8.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lancaster, CA | 6.1 |
| NORTH BRIDGE ACADEMY Mill Valley, CA | 6.0 |
| Grace Hopper STEM Academy Inglewood, CA | 6.5 |
| HOPE ACADEMY FOR DYSLEXICS Concord, CA | 6.5 |
| LEPORT SCHOOLS - IRVINE SPECTRUM NORTH CAMPUS Irvine, CA | 5.9 |
| PATHWAY SCHOOL INC. Laguna Hills, CA | 5.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Athena Academy
What grades does Athena Academy serve?
Athena Academy serves students in grades 1st through 8th.
How many students attend Athena Academy?
Athena Academy has an enrollment of approximately 58 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Athena Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Athena Academy is 5.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Athena Academy rank in CA?
Athena Academy is ranked #949 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.
What is Athena Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Athena Academy has a composite rating of 6.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
Is Athena Academy a private school?
Yes, Athena Academy is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Athena Academy a religious school?
No, Athena Academy is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,256/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Palo Alto). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- 1st – 8th
- Enrollment
- 58
- Gender Split
- 53% M / 47% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 5.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 7 hours
- Days Per Year
- 166 days
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- SANTA CLARA
- Phone
- (650) 543-4560
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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.
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