Excellent
#611 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 6% in state
Palo Alto High
High School · Palo Alto Unified
50 Embarcadero Rd., Palo Alto, CA 94301
Enrollment
1,932
Student-Teacher
16.9:1
Score
8.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,932
Student-Teacher
16.9:1
Score
8.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#611 of 9,539
In Palo Alto
#10 of 15
public schools
In district
#11 of 17
Palo Alto Unified
School environment
9.8 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Palo Alto High?
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Palo Alto High
High School in Palo Alto · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Odyssey Montessori
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Guidepost Montessori
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Palo Alto High
Palo Alto High is a public high school in Palo Alto, CA, part of Palo Alto Unified. Palo Alto High serves approximately 1,932 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 16.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Palo Alto High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10 and ranks #611 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Palo Alto High show 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 85% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 8.7 · Excellent
- District avg 8.9
- CA avg 6.5
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Palo Alto High — Students at Palo Alto High score 71% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
10.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.4/10.
How Palo Alto High Compares
See how Palo Alto High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
50 Embarcadero Rd., Palo Alto, CA 94301
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Palo Alto High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Frank S. Greene Jr. Middle (rated 9.2/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Walter Hays Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Escondido Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Stanford), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Palo Alto, see our Palo Alto schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ODYSSEY MONTESSORI Palo Alto | 0.2 mi | — |
| GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI Palo Alto | 0.3 mi | — |
| CASTILLEJA SCHOOL Palo Alto | 0.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Castilleja School Palo Alto | 0.3 mi | — |
| Addison Elementary Palo Alto | 0.7 mi | 7.8 |
| TRU SCHOOL Palo Alto | 0.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Tru Palo Alto | 0.8 mi | — |
| LIVING WISDOM SCHOOL OF PALO ALTO Palo Alto | 0.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Living Wisdom School of Palo Alto Palo Alto | 0.8 mi | — |
| CASA DEI BAMBINI SCHOOL Palo Alto | 0.9 mi | — |
| Walter Hays Elementary Palo Alto | 0.8 mi | 8.5 |
| Lydian Academy Palo Alto | 1.0 mi | — |
| St. Elizabeth Seton Palo Alto | 1.0 mi | — |
| Escondido Elementary Stanford | 1.1 mi | 8.4 |
| SYNAPSE SCHOOL Palo Alto | 0.9 mi | 8.1 |
| ST ELIZABETH SETON SCHOOL Palo Alto | 1.1 mi | 5.1 |
| VR School of AI (Campus 113355) Stanford | 1.1 mi | — |
| Packard Children's Hospital/Stanford Palo Alto | 1.0 mi | — |
| Frank S. Greene Jr. Middle Palo Alto | 1.2 mi | 9.2 |
| Esther B. Clark School Palo Alto Palo Alto | 1.2 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94301 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$235,529
Median Home Value
$2,000,001
Median Rent
$3,290/mo
Population
17,126
College Educated
83.3%
Homeownership
51.6%
Avg Commute
23.7 min
Poverty Rate
4.2%
Median Age
45.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Clovis North High Fresno, CA | 8.7 |
| Garden Grove High Garden Grove, CA | 8.7 |
| John Marshall Senior High Los Angeles, CA | 8.7 |
| King/Drew Medical Magnet High Los Angeles, CA | 8.7 |
| Lowell High San Francisco, CA | 8.7 |
| Marina High Huntington Beach, CA | 8.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Palo Alto High
What grades does Palo Alto High serve?
Palo Alto High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Palo Alto High?
Palo Alto High has an enrollment of approximately 1,932 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Palo Alto High?
The student-teacher ratio at Palo Alto High is 16.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Palo Alto High rank in CA?
Palo Alto High ranks #611 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Palo Alto High's MySchoolScout rating?
Palo Alto High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Palo Alto High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Palo Alto High has 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 85% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Palo Alto High a charter school?
No, Palo Alto High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Palo Alto High a Title I school?
No, Palo Alto High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Palo Alto High?
10.8% of students at Palo Alto High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,932
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 114
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 10.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Santa Clara County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 15.3%
- Phone
- (650) 329-3701
- 4-Year Graduation
- 95.0%
Resources & Links
District
Palo Alto Unified- District Enrollment
- 10,271
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $28,533
- District Rank
- #11 of 17
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
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