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Average

#657 of 1,790 private schools in CA

Top 37% of private schools

Keys Family Day School

Middle School

3981 EL CAMINO REAL, 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

139

Student-Teacher

5.5:1

Score

6.7

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Palo Alto

#11 of 18

public schools

California middle schools

#16 of 45

Academic performance

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Keys Family Day School

KEYS Family Day School serves 139 students in grades 5-8 as a public middle school located on El Camino Real in Palo Alto. With 26 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 5.5:1, allowing for personalized attention and small class sizes that many families find appealing. The school has earned a strong 9.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks in the 63rd percentile statewide, placing 671st among California's 1,790 middle schools.

This solid academic standing reflects the school's commitment to student achievement in the competitive Palo Alto educational landscape. Students at KEYS Family Day School benefit from being part of a highly educated community where 82% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding neighborhood in the 94306 ZIP code has a median household income of $199,800 and a low poverty rate of 6.8%, creating an environment where educational priorities are well-supported by families and the broader community.

The school's location in Palo Alto, a small city known for its proximity to Stanford University and Silicon Valley innovation, provides students with access to numerous educational and cultural opportunities while maintaining a close-knit community atmosphere.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 139 students, Keys Family Day School 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 5.5:1, Keys Family Day 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, Keys Family Day 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
$109,166
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$111,860
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.02x — Stable
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
86%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$37.9M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 139 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Keys Family Day School compares to 14 public schools serving similar grades in Palo Alto, CA

Student-Teacher Ratio
5.5:1
This School
vs
17.8:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
139
This School
vs
413
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.7
This School
vs
8.4
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 83.5% vs 0%
Black 16.5% vs 0%
Keys Family Day School Palo Alto Public Avg

Nearby Middle Schools

School Rating
Keys Family Day School (this school) 6.7
Barron Park Elementary 7.2
Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle 8.7
Juana Briones Elementary 9.5
El Carmelo Elementary 6.4
Fairmeadow Elementary 8.5
Herbert Hoover Elementary 9.3
Ellen Fletcher Middle 8.8
Palo Verde Elementary 8.5
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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A 9.3 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 5.5:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C+ 3.9 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,137.5
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C+ 3.7 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 28%
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 139
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)

White 83.5%
Black 16.5%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

3981 EL CAMINO REAL, Palo Alto, CA 94306

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Keys Family Day School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Ellen Fletcher Middle (rated 8.8/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle (rated 8.7/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Palo Alto, see our Palo Alto schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Shalem Palo Alto 0.2 mi
Juana Briones Elementary Palo Alto 0.6 mi 9.5
El Carmelo Elementary Palo Alto 0.6 mi 6.4
Barron Park Elementary Palo Alto 0.6 mi 7.2
Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle Palo Alto 0.6 mi 8.7
Fairmeadow Elementary Palo Alto 0.7 mi 8.5
BOWMAN SCHOOL Palo Alto 1.0 mi 9.3
Bowman School Palo Alto 1.0 mi
Herbert Hoover Elementary Palo Alto 0.8 mi 9.3
Ellen Fletcher Middle Palo Alto 1.0 mi 8.8
Keys Family Day School Palo Alto 1.0 mi
KEYS FAMILY DAY SCHOOL Palo Alto 1.0 mi 7.7
ACHIEVE INC. Palo Alto 0.9 mi 8.2
Henry M. Gunn High Palo Alto 1.2 mi 8.8
Challenger School - Middlefield Palo Alto 1.0 mi
Lydian Academy Palo Alto 1.1 mi
IMAGINATION LAB SCHOOL Palo Alto 1.1 mi
GROSSMAN ACADEMY Palo Alto 1.1 mi
LIVING WIDSOM HIGH SCHOOL Palo Alto 1.1 mi
Palo Verde Elementary Palo Alto 1.3 mi 8.5

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 Keys Family Day 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
Accelerated Achievement Academy Hollister, CA 6.7
ALMANSOR ACADEMY (INSTITUTE FOR REDESIGN OF LEARNI South Pasadena, CA 6.8
Lipman Middle Brisbane, CA 6.8
CORNERSTONE ACADEMY-CAMBRIDGE CAMPUS San Francisco, CA 6.6
NEWBRIDGE SCHOOL Poway, CA 6.6
Sierra Vista Middle La Puente, CA 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Keys Family Day School

What grades does Keys Family Day School serve?

Keys Family Day School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Keys Family Day School?

Keys Family Day School has an enrollment of approximately 139 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Keys Family Day School?

The student-teacher ratio at Keys Family Day School is 5.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Keys Family Day School rank in CA?

Keys Family Day School is ranked #657 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.

What is Keys Family Day School's MySchoolScout rating?

Keys Family Day School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Keys Family Day School a private school?

Yes, Keys Family Day 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 Keys Family Day School a religious school?

No, Keys Family Day School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
5th – 8th
Enrollment
139
Gender Split
47% M / 53% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
5.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
6.5 hours
Days Per Year
175 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

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