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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

Private Estimated Score

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

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

Beta

How Living Wisdom School of Palo Alto compares to 17 public schools serving similar grades in Palo Alto, CA

Student-Teacher Ratio
7:1
This School
vs
17.5:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
72
This School
vs
555
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.3
This School
vs
8.4
Public Avg

Student Demographics

Asian 55.6% vs 0%
White 29.2% vs 0%
Hispanic 5.6% vs 0%
Living Wisdom School of Palo Alto Palo Alto Public Avg

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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A 8.5 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 7:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C- 2.3 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,053
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B+ 7.0 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 59%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B- 4.8 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 72
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 55.6%
White 29.2%
Two or More 9.7%
Hispanic 5.6%

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.

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
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
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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