Excellent
#1 of 1,787 private schools in CA
Top 1% of private schools
Bowman School
Elementary School
4000 TERMAN DR, Palo Alto, CA 94306
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
Data vintage
2021-22
Data vintage2021-22
How this school compares
California private schools
#1 of 1,787
In Palo Alto
#1 of 18
public schools
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Bowman School
Elementary School in Palo Alto · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Ellen Fletcher Middle
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Juana Briones Elementary
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Bowman School
Bowman School is a private elementary school in Palo Alto, CA. Bowman School serves approximately 257 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 4.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Bowman School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.3 out of 10 and ranks #1 of 1,787 private schools in CA.
- This school 9.3 · Excellent
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
At 4.2:1 students to teachers, Bowman School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Bowman School is private, so it runs independently of the local district and sets its own curriculum. That freedom cuts both ways depending on what you want for your child. If you're considering it, start with the practical questions: tuition, financial aid, and how admissions work.
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 | 9.4 |
| Juana Briones Elementary | 9.1 |
| Barron Park Elementary | 8.7 |
| Herbert Hoover Elementary | 9.2 |
| Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle | 9.4 |
| Fairmeadow Elementary | 8.9 |
| Greendell | — |
| El Carmelo Elementary | 7.5 |
| Palo Verde Elementary | 9.0 |
| Frank S. Greene Jr. Middle | 9.2 |
| Ohlone Elementary | 9.3 |
| Walter Hays Elementary | 8.5 |
| Addison Elementary | 7.8 |
| Duveneck Elementary | 8.6 |
| 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
PreliminaryWhat 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. Bullis Charter (rated 9.7/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Los Altos), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Gardner Bullis Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Los Altos Hills), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Herbert Hoover Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 1.4 miles away), 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 | 9.4 |
| Juana Briones Elementary Palo Alto | 0.3 mi | 9.1 |
| Henry M. Gunn High Palo Alto | 0.4 mi | 9.2 |
| Santa Rita Elementary Los Altos | 0.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Shalem Palo Alto | 0.8 mi | — |
| Ardis G. Egan Junior High Los Altos | 0.7 mi | 9.2 |
| KEYS FAMILY DAY SCHOOL Palo Alto | 1.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Barron Park Elementary Palo Alto | 0.9 mi | 8.7 |
| 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 | 9.7 |
| Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle Palo Alto | 1.4 mi | 9.4 |
| Herbert Hoover Elementary Palo Alto | 1.4 mi | 9.2 |
| Gardner Bullis Elementary Los Altos Hills | 1.5 mi | 9.3 |
| Fairmeadow Elementary Palo Alto | 1.5 mi | 8.9 |
| El Carmelo Elementary Palo Alto | 1.6 mi | 7.5 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Benjamin Bubb Elementary Mountain View, CA | 9.3 |
| Cove Corte Madera, CA | 9.3 |
| Everest Value Los Angeles, CA | 9.3 |
| Gardner Bullis Elementary Los Altos Hills, CA | 9.3 |
| North Shoreview Montessori San Mateo, CA | 9.3 |
| Riverview STEM Elementary Rancho Cordova, 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 ranks #1 of 1,787 private schools in CA.
What is Bowman School's MySchoolScout rating?
Bowman School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; 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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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 County
- Phone
- (650) 813-9131
Resources & Links
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