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Average

#800 of 1,790 private schools in CA

Top 45% of private schools

Menlo School

High School

50 VALPARAISO AVE, Atherton, CA 94027

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on CA statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

818

Student-Teacher

8.8:1

Score

6.4

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Atherton

#2 of 2

public schools

California high schools

#147 of 277

About Menlo School

Menlo School serves 818 students in grades 6 through 12 in Atherton, California, earning an impressive 9.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #107 among California's 1,790 schools, placing it in the 94th percentile statewide. This regular public school maintains an exceptional student-teacher ratio of 8.8:1 with 93 full-time equivalent teachers, providing students with significant individual attention and support. The school operates as both a middle and high school program, offering continuity for families seeking a comprehensive educational experience from sixth grade through graduation.

The low student-teacher ratio suggests smaller class sizes and more personalized learning opportunities than typically found in larger public school systems. Menlo School is situated in one of California's most affluent communities, where the median household income exceeds $250,000 and the median home value surpasses $2 million. The surrounding neighborhood reflects a highly educated population, with 86% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and maintains a low poverty rate of just 3.9% among its 7,142 residents.

The school benefits from its location in Atherton's large suburban setting, providing students with access to both excellent educational resources and the cultural and professional opportunities of the broader San Francisco Bay Area.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.8:1, Menlo 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, Menlo 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
$83,342
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$83,265
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.00x — Tight
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
66%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$320.7M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 818 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Menlo School compares to the 5 public schools in Atherton, CA

Student-Teacher Ratio
8.8:1
This School
vs
19.1:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
818
This School
vs
913
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.4
This School
vs
8.0
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 44.7% vs 0%
Asian 23.6% vs 0%
Hispanic 11.2% vs 0%
Black 3.4% vs 0%
Menlo School Atherton Public Avg

All Schools in Atherton

School Rating
Menlo School (this school) 6.4
Encinal Elementary 7.4
Menlo-Atherton High 8.8
Laurel Elementary 8.7
Adelante Selby Spanish Immersion 7.5
Las Lomitas Elementary 7.8

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- 7.6 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 8.8:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C- 2.0 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.2 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,029.2
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A 9.1 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 71%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B- 4.6 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 818
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 44.7%
Asian 23.6%
Two or More 15.4%
Hispanic 11.2%
Black 3.4%
Pacific Islander 1.5%
Native American 0.1%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

50 VALPARAISO AVE, Atherton, CA 94027

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Menlo School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Menlo-Atherton High (rated 8.8/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Everest Public High (rated 4.5/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Redwood City), a more accessible option. For more schools in Atherton, see our Atherton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Menlo Atherton 0.0 mi
SACRED HEART SCHOOLS ATHERTON Atherton 0.4 mi 7.5
MiaPrep Online High School Menlo Park 0.4 mi
LINDAMOOD-BELL LEARNING PROCESSES MENLO PARK Menlo Park 0.4 mi
Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton Atherton 0.5 mi
ST RAYMOND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Menlo Park 0.5 mi 7.2
NATIVITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Menlo Park 0.6 mi 6.1
Encinal Elementary Atherton 0.8 mi 7.4
Nativity Catholic School K-8 Menlo Park 0.8 mi
Hillview Middle Menlo Park 1.0 mi 8.0
Garfield Elementary Menlo Park 1.2 mi 3.5
Menlo-Atherton High Atherton 1.1 mi 8.8
Esther B. Clark School Palo Alto Palo Alto 1.3 mi
Sand Hill School Palo Alto 1.3 mi
WHERRY ACADEMY Redwood City 1.4 mi
Everest Public High Redwood City 1.4 mi 4.5
Synapse School Menlo Park 1.5 mi
Chesterton Academy of St. James Menlo Park 1.3 mi
Laurel Elementary Atherton 1.4 mi 8.7
Oak Knoll Elementary Menlo Park 1.7 mi 8.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 94027 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$250,001

Median Home Value

$2,000,001

Median Rent

$3,501/mo

Population

7,030

College Educated

86%

Homeownership

87.4%

Avg Commute

23.6 min

Poverty Rate

3.3%

Median Age

49.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Menlo School has a median household income of $250,001. It is a well-educated community where 86% 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 $3,501/month. The local poverty rate of 3.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Menlo School

What grades does Menlo School serve?

Menlo School serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Menlo School?

Menlo School has an enrollment of approximately 818 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Menlo School?

The student-teacher ratio at Menlo School is 8.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Menlo School rank in CA?

Menlo School is ranked #800 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.

What is Menlo School's MySchoolScout rating?

Menlo School has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Menlo School a private school?

Yes, Menlo 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 Menlo School a religious school?

No, Menlo School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Elevated (1,386/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
818
Gender Split
49% M / 51% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
93
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
6.2 hours
Days Per Year
166 days
Setting
Large Suburb
County
SAN MATEO
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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