Excellent
#1 of 1,790 private schools in CA
Top 1% of private schools
Bowman School
Elementary School
4000 TERMAN DR, 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
257
Student-Teacher
4.2:1
Score
9.3
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
257
Student-Teacher
4.2:1
Score
9.3
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Palo Alto
#1 of 18
public schools
California elementary schools
#1 of 1,102
Academic performance
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Bowman School
Bowman School serves 257 students from prekindergarten through eighth grade in Palo Alto, offering an unusually small learning environment with an exceptional 4.2:1 student-teacher ratio. With 61 full-time equivalent teachers, this public elementary school provides remarkable individual attention that's rare in traditional school settings. The school earns a strong 9.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks in the 54th percentile among California schools, placing it at #825 out of 1,790 schools statewide.
This solid performance reflects the school's commitment to student achievement in a supportive academic environment. Bowman School sits in an affluent and highly educated neighborhood where 82% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding community in the 94306 ZIP code has a median household income of $199,800 and a low poverty rate of 6.8%, creating a stable environment that supports educational goals.
With a median home value exceeding $2 million, the area reflects the high property values typical of Palo Alto. Located on Terman Drive, Bowman School benefits from being part of Palo Alto's small city atmosphere, where families prioritize education and community engagement in the heart of Silicon Valley.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 4.2:1, Bowman School 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, Bowman School 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
- $40,985
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $41,477
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 1.01x — Stable
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 96%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $45.5M
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 257 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Bowman School compares to 15 public schools serving similar grades in Palo Alto, CA
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bowman School (this school) | 9.3 |
| Ellen Fletcher Middle | 8.8 |
| Juana Briones Elementary | 9.5 |
| Barron Park Elementary | 7.2 |
| Herbert Hoover Elementary | 9.3 |
| Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle | 8.7 |
| Fairmeadow Elementary | 8.5 |
| Greendell | — |
| El Carmelo Elementary | 6.4 |
| Palo Verde Elementary | 8.5 |
| Frank S. Greene Jr. Middle | 8.5 |
| Ohlone Elementary | 9.3 |
| Walter Hays Elementary | 8.0 |
| Addison Elementary | 8.1 |
| Duveneck Elementary | 8.8 |
| 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
4000 TERMAN DR, Palo Alto, CA 94306
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bowman School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Juana Briones Elementary (rated 9.5/10, 0.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Herbert Hoover Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Bullis Charter (rated 9.1/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Los Altos), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Palo Alto, see our Palo Alto schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Bowman School Palo Alto | 0.0 mi | — |
| Ellen Fletcher Middle Palo Alto | 0.1 mi | 8.8 |
| Juana Briones Elementary Palo Alto | 0.3 mi | 9.5 |
| Henry M. Gunn High Palo Alto | 0.4 mi | 8.8 |
| Santa Rita Elementary Los Altos | 0.7 mi | 8.5 |
| Shalem Palo Alto | 0.8 mi | — |
| Ardis G. Egan Junior High Los Altos | 0.7 mi | 8.3 |
| KEYS FAMILY DAY SCHOOL Palo Alto | 1.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Barron Park Elementary Palo Alto | 0.9 mi | 7.2 |
| School for Independent Learners Los Altos | 0.8 mi | — |
| SCHOOL FOR INDEPENDENT LEARNERS Los Altos | 0.8 mi | — |
| Bullis Charter Los Altos | 0.8 mi | 9.1 |
| Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle Palo Alto | 1.4 mi | 8.7 |
| Herbert Hoover Elementary Palo Alto | 1.4 mi | 9.3 |
| Gardner Bullis Elementary Los Altos Hills | 1.5 mi | 8.6 |
| Fairmeadow Elementary Palo Alto | 1.5 mi | 8.5 |
| El Carmelo Elementary Palo Alto | 1.6 mi | 6.4 |
| IMAGINATION LAB SCHOOL Palo Alto | 1.5 mi | — |
| GROSSMAN ACADEMY Palo Alto | 1.5 mi | — |
| LIVING WIDSOM HIGH SCHOOL Palo Alto | 1.5 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 Bowman School 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 |
|---|---|
| Belleview Elementary Sonora, CA | 9.3 |
| Brockton Avenue Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 9.3 |
| Compton Avenue Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 9.3 |
| Duff Language Magnet Academy Rosemead, CA | 9.3 |
| Eagle Prairie Elementary Rio Dell, CA | 9.3 |
| Farmdale Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 9.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bowman School
What grades does Bowman School serve?
Bowman School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Bowman School?
Bowman School has an enrollment of approximately 257 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bowman School?
The student-teacher ratio at Bowman School is 4.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Bowman School rank in CA?
Bowman School is ranked #1 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.
What is Bowman School's MySchoolScout rating?
Bowman School has a composite rating of 9.3 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 Bowman School a private school?
Yes, Bowman School 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 Bowman School a religious school?
No, Bowman School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 257
- Gender Split
- 50% M / 50% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 4.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 61
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 10.5 hours
- Days Per Year
- 250 days
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- SANTA CLARA
- Phone
- (650) 813-9131
- 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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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