Excellent
#80 of 1,787 private schools in CA
Top 4% of private schools
Synapse School
Elementary School
305 N CALIFORNIA AVE, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Enrollment
321
Student-Teacher
5.3:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
321
Student-Teacher
5.3:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Data vintage
2021-22
Data vintage2021-22
How this school compares
California private schools
#80 of 1,787
In Palo Alto
#3 of 18
public schools
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Synapse School
Elementary School in Palo Alto · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Frank S. Greene Jr. Middle
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Lydian Academy
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Synapse School
Synapse School is a private elementary school in Palo Alto, CA. Synapse School serves approximately 321 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 5.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Synapse School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #80 of 1,787 private schools in CA.
- This school 8.1 · Excellent
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
At 5.3:1 students to teachers, Synapse School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Synapse School is private, so it runs independently of the local district and sets its own curriculum. That freedom cuts both ways depending on what you want for your child. If you're considering it, start with the practical questions: tuition, financial aid, and how admissions work.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Synapse School compares to 15 public schools serving similar grades in Palo Alto, CA
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Synapse School (this school) | 8.1 |
| Frank S. Greene Jr. Middle | 9.2 |
| El Carmelo Elementary | 7.5 |
| Walter Hays Elementary | 8.5 |
| Ohlone Elementary | 9.3 |
| Addison Elementary | 7.8 |
| Duveneck Elementary | 8.6 |
| Barron Park Elementary | 8.7 |
| Palo Verde Elementary | 9.0 |
| Fairmeadow Elementary | 8.9 |
| Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle | 9.4 |
| Herbert Hoover Elementary | 9.2 |
| Juana Briones Elementary | 9.1 |
| Packard Children's Hospital/Stanford | — |
| Greendell | — |
| Ellen Fletcher Middle | 9.4 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
PreliminaryWhat 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
305 N CALIFORNIA AVE, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Synapse School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ohlone Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Duveneck Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Walter Hays Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Palo Alto, see our Palo Alto schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Frank S. Greene Jr. Middle Palo Alto | 0.5 mi | 9.2 |
| Lydian Academy Palo Alto | 0.5 mi | — |
| CASA DEI BAMBINI SCHOOL Palo Alto | 0.6 mi | — |
| Living Wisdom School of Palo Alto Palo Alto | 0.6 mi | — |
| LIVING WISDOM SCHOOL OF PALO ALTO Palo Alto | 0.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Walter Hays Elementary Palo Alto | 0.7 mi | 8.5 |
| STRATFORD SCHOOL - PALO ALTO Palo Alto | 0.7 mi | 7.3 |
| El Carmelo Elementary Palo Alto | 0.7 mi | 7.5 |
| KEYS FAMILY DAY SCHOOL Palo Alto | 0.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Keys Family Day School Palo Alto | 0.7 mi | — |
| Castilleja School Palo Alto | 0.8 mi | — |
| CASTILLEJA SCHOOL Palo Alto | 0.8 mi | 7.5 |
| CORNERSTONE LEARNING FOUNDATION Palo Alto | 0.9 mi | 5.7 |
| TRU SCHOOL Palo Alto | 0.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Palo Alto High Palo Alto | 0.9 mi | 8.7 |
| St. Elizabeth Seton Palo Alto | 1.1 mi | — |
| Addison Elementary Palo Alto | 1.1 mi | 7.8 |
| ST ELIZABETH SETON SCHOOL Palo Alto | 1.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Ohlone Elementary Palo Alto | 1.0 mi | 9.3 |
| Duveneck Elementary Palo Alto | 1.2 mi | 8.6 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Baypoint Preparatory Academy - San Diego San Marcos, CA | 8.1 |
| Baywood Elementary Los Osos, CA | 8.1 |
| Carlos Santana Arts Academy North Hills, CA | 8.1 |
| Carson-Gore Academy of Environmental Studies Los Angeles, CA | 8.1 |
| Chapman Elementary Gardena, CA | 8.1 |
| Chatom Elementary Turlock, CA | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Synapse School
What grades does Synapse School serve?
Synapse School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Synapse School?
Synapse School has an enrollment of approximately 321 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Synapse School?
The student-teacher ratio at Synapse School is 5.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Synapse School rank in CA?
Synapse School ranks #80 of 1,787 private schools in CA.
What is Synapse School's MySchoolScout rating?
Synapse School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
Is Synapse School a private school?
Yes, Synapse 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 Synapse School a religious school?
No, Synapse School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 321
- Gender Split
- 50% M / 50% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 5.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 60
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 6.5 hours
- Days Per Year
- 179 days
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Santa Clara County
- Phone
- (650) 468-2204
Resources & Links
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