Average
#879 of 1,790 private schools in CA
Top 49% of private schools
Living Wisdom School of Palo Alto
School
456 COLLEGE AVE, 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
72
Student-Teacher
7:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
72
Student-Teacher
7:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Palo Alto
#13 of 18
public schools
California schools
#183 of 366
Academic performance
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Living Wisdom School of Palo Alto
Living Wisdom School of Palo Alto serves 72 students from kindergarten through 12th grade with an exceptionally intimate learning environment featuring a 7.0:1 student-teacher ratio and 10 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public school has earned a strong 9.0 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranks #402 out of 1,790 schools statewide, placing it in the 78th percentile among California schools. The school's small size allows for highly personalized attention, creating an atmosphere where every student can develop close relationships with faculty and peers across all grade levels.
With only 72 students spanning thirteen grade levels, this unique educational setting fosters a tight-knit community where older students often mentor younger ones. Located at 456 College Avenue, Living Wisdom School sits in an affluent area of Palo Alto where 82% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $199,800. The surrounding neighborhood reflects the high educational values of Silicon Valley families, with median home values exceeding $2 million and a low poverty rate of 6.8%.
The school operates within Palo Alto's vibrant small city environment, benefiting from the community's strong commitment to education and innovation that characterizes this heart of the tech industry.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 72 students, Living Wisdom School of Palo Alto 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 7:1, Living Wisdom School of Palo Alto 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, Living Wisdom School of Palo Alto 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
- $24,081
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $33,081
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 1.37x — Strong
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 77%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $2.5M
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 72 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Living Wisdom School of Palo Alto compares to 17 public schools serving similar grades in Palo Alto, CA
Student Demographics
Nearby Other Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Living Wisdom School of Palo Alto (this school) | 6.3 |
| Palo Alto High | 8.1 |
| El Carmelo Elementary | 6.4 |
| Frank S. Greene Jr. Middle | 8.5 |
| Barron Park Elementary | 7.2 |
| Walter Hays Elementary | 8.0 |
| Addison Elementary | 8.1 |
| Ohlone Elementary | 9.3 |
| Packard Children's Hospital/Stanford | — |
| Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle | 8.7 |
| Fairmeadow Elementary | 8.5 |
| Juana Briones Elementary | 9.5 |
| Duveneck Elementary | 8.8 |
| Palo Verde Elementary | 8.5 |
| Herbert Hoover Elementary | 9.3 |
| Henry M. Gunn High | 8.8 |
| Ellen Fletcher Middle | 8.8 |
| Greendell | — |
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
456 COLLEGE AVE, Palo Alto, CA 94306
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Living Wisdom School of Palo Alto may also want to explore other schools in the area. Lucille M. Nixon Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Stanford), which scores notably higher. Another option is Escondido Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 0.6 miles away, in nearby Stanford), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Frank S. Greene Jr. Middle (rated 8.5/10, 1.1 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Living Wisdom School of Palo Alto Palo Alto | 0.0 mi | — |
| CASA DEI BAMBINI SCHOOL Palo Alto | 0.0 mi | — |
| Lydian Academy Palo Alto | 0.2 mi | — |
| SYNAPSE SCHOOL Palo Alto | 0.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Escondido Elementary Stanford | 0.6 mi | 9.2 |
| Castilleja School Palo Alto | 0.9 mi | — |
| CASTILLEJA SCHOOL Palo Alto | 0.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Palo Alto High Palo Alto | 0.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Lucille M. Nixon Elementary Stanford | 1.0 mi | 9.3 |
| ODYSSEY MONTESSORI Palo Alto | 1.0 mi | — |
| Walter Hays Elementary Palo Alto | 1.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Barron Park Elementary Palo Alto | 1.1 mi | 7.2 |
| El Carmelo Elementary Palo Alto | 0.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Frank S. Greene Jr. Middle Palo Alto | 1.1 mi | 8.5 |
| GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI Palo Alto | 1.1 mi | — |
| TRU SCHOOL Palo Alto | 1.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Addison Elementary Palo Alto | 1.3 mi | 8.1 |
| KEYS FAMILY DAY SCHOOL Palo Alto | 1.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Keys Family Day School Palo Alto | 1.1 mi | — |
| STRATFORD SCHOOL - PALO ALTO Palo Alto | 1.3 mi | 7.3 |
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 Living Wisdom School of Palo Alto 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 |
|---|---|
| Abraham Lincoln Alternative Rosamond, CA | 6.3 |
| CYPRESS SCHOOL Petaluma, CA | 6.3 |
| EASTSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fullerton, CA | 6.3 |
| HAYNES EDUCATION CENTER La Verne, CA | 6.3 |
| LIFEHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bakersfield, CA | 6.3 |
| OAK HILL SCHOOL San Anselmo, CA | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Living Wisdom School of Palo Alto
What grades does Living Wisdom School of Palo Alto serve?
Living Wisdom School of Palo Alto serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.
How many students attend Living Wisdom School of Palo Alto?
Living Wisdom School of Palo Alto has an enrollment of approximately 72 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Living Wisdom School of Palo Alto?
The student-teacher ratio at Living Wisdom School of Palo Alto is 7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Living Wisdom School of Palo Alto rank in CA?
Living Wisdom School of Palo Alto is ranked #879 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.
What is Living Wisdom School of Palo Alto's MySchoolScout rating?
Living Wisdom School of Palo Alto has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Living Wisdom School of Palo Alto a private school?
Yes, Living Wisdom School of Palo Alto 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 Living Wisdom School of Palo Alto a religious school?
No, Living Wisdom School of Palo Alto 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
- Kindergarten – 12th
- Enrollment
- 72
- Gender Split
- 54% M / 46% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 10
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 6.5 hours
- Days Per Year
- 162 days
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- SANTA CLARA
- Phone
- (650) 462-8150
- 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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