Average
#800 of 1,790 private schools in CA
Top 45% of private schools
Menlo School
High School
50 VALPARAISO AVE, Atherton, CA 94027
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
Enrollment
818
Student-Teacher
8.8:1
Score
6.4
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow Menlo School compares to the 5 public schools in Atherton, CA
Student Demographics
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.
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
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
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alliance Gertz-Ressler Richard Merkin 6-12 Complex Los Angeles, CA | 6.4 |
| Alliance Margaret M. Bloomfield Technology Academy High Huntington Park, CA | 6.4 |
| Bassett Senior High La Puente, CA | 6.4 |
| Del Lago Academy - Campus of Applied Science Escondido, CA | 6.4 |
| Fremont Academy of Engineering and Design Pomona, CA | 6.4 |
| Health Sciences High and Middle College San Diego, CA | 6.4 |
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (650) 330-2001
- 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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