Excellent
#1239 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 13% 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
8.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,932
Student-Teacher
16.9:1
Score
8.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Palo Alto
#12 of 15
public schools
California high schools
#204 of 1,892
In district
#14 of 17
Palo Alto Unified
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Palo Alto High
Palo Alto High is a public high school in Palo Alto, CA, part of the Palo Alto Unified. The school serves approximately 1,932 students in grades 9th – 12th with a student-teacher ratio of 16.9:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.1/10, placing it in the 87th percentile among CA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 76% proficiency in math, 44 points above the state average and 79% in reading/language arts, 27 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.7/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $235,529, where 83% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a small city setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Palo Alto High — Students at Palo Alto High score 71% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).
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 8 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: 4.5/10.
How Palo Alto High Compares
See how Palo Alto High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 75% (2019) to 70.13% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 83% (2019) to 72.29% (2024).
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. Escondido Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Stanford), which scores notably higher. Another option is Frank S. Greene Jr. Middle (rated 8.5/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Addison Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 0.7 miles away), 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 | 8.1 |
| 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 | 8.0 |
| Lydian Academy Palo Alto | 1.0 mi | — |
| St. Elizabeth Seton Palo Alto | 1.0 mi | — |
| Escondido Elementary Stanford | 1.1 mi | 9.2 |
| 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 | 8.5 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Palo Alto High has a median household income of $235,529. It is a well-educated community where 83% 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 $3,290/month. The local poverty rate of 4.2% 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 |
|---|---|
| Arroyo Grande High Arroyo Grande, CA | 8.1 |
| Classical Academy High Escondido, CA | 8.1 |
| Clovis North High Fresno, CA | 8.1 |
| Cordova High Rancho Cordova, CA | 8.1 |
| Delano High Delano, CA | 8.1 |
| Esperanza High Placentia, CA | 8.1 |
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 is ranked #1239 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Palo Alto High's MySchoolScout rating?
Palo Alto High has a composite rating of 8.1 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.
What are the test scores at Palo Alto High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Palo Alto High has 75.6% math proficiency and 78.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 86 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 49 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 100 Biker’s Paradise
- City Safety
- High (3,256/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Palo Alto). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (650) 329-3701
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Palo Alto Unified- District Enrollment
- 10,271
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $28,533
- District Rank
- #14 of 17
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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