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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

Private Estimated Score

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

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

Beta

How Bowman School compares to 15 public schools serving similar grades in Palo Alto, CA

Student-Teacher Ratio
4.2:1
This School
vs
17.6:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
257
This School
vs
386
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
9.3
This School
vs
8.4
Public Avg

Student Demographics

Asian 35% vs 0%
White 19.5% vs 0%
Hispanic 8.2% vs 0%
Black 1.6% vs 0%
Bowman School Palo Alto Public Avg

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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A+ 9.7 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 4.2:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A+ 9.6 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 10.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 2,625
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A 9.3 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 72%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 257
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)

Asian 35.0%
Two or More 33.1%
White 19.5%
Hispanic 8.2%
Black 1.6%
Pacific Islander 1.6%
Native American 1.2%

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
35 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
35 Some Transit
Bike Score
86 Very Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,256/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Palo Alto). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2022–2023

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 methodology

Related reading

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