Average
#1184 of 1,790 private schools in CA
Tru School
Elementary School
1295 MIDDLEFIELD RD, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 15 schools in Palo Alto. Learn more
Enrollment
36
Student-Teacher
7.2:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
36
Student-Teacher
7.2:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Palo Alto
#16 of 18
public schools
California elementary schools
#704 of 1,102
Academic performance
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Tru School
TRU SCHOOL serves 36 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Palo Alto, offering an intimate elementary education experience with just 5 full-time teachers. This small public school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 7.2:1, allowing for individualized attention that many larger schools cannot provide. The school has earned recognition for its educational quality, receiving a strong 9.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #487 out of 1790 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 73rd percentile among California schools.
This performance reflects the school's commitment to academic excellence within its small learning community. TRU SCHOOL's compact size creates a family-like atmosphere where teachers can closely monitor each student's progress and adapt instruction to individual learning needs. The school benefits from being located in an affluent, highly educated community where 81% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income exceeds $217,000.
Situated on Middlefield Road in Palo Alto's 94301 ZIP code, TRU SCHOOL operates in one of Silicon Valley's most prestigious neighborhoods, where the median home value reaches $2 million and the poverty rate remains remarkably low at just 4%.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 36 students, Tru School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 7.2:1, Tru 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, Tru 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.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Tru School compares to 12 public schools serving similar grades in Palo Alto, CA
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Tru School (this school) | 5.8 |
| Addison Elementary | 8.1 |
| Walter Hays Elementary | 8.0 |
| Duveneck Elementary | 8.8 |
| Ohlone Elementary | 9.3 |
| El Carmelo Elementary | 6.4 |
| Packard Children's Hospital/Stanford | — |
| Palo Verde Elementary | 8.5 |
| Fairmeadow Elementary | 8.5 |
| Barron Park Elementary | 7.2 |
| Herbert Hoover Elementary | 9.3 |
| Juana Briones Elementary | 9.5 |
| Greendell | — |
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
1295 MIDDLEFIELD RD, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Tru School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Duveneck Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Addison Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SYNAPSE SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Palo Alto, see our Palo Alto schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Walter Hays Elementary Palo Alto | 0.2 mi | 8.0 |
| Addison Elementary Palo Alto | 0.2 mi | 8.1 |
| St. Elizabeth Seton Palo Alto | 0.3 mi | — |
| ST ELIZABETH SETON SCHOOL Palo Alto | 0.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Castilleja School Palo Alto | 0.5 mi | — |
| CASTILLEJA SCHOOL Palo Alto | 0.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Tru Palo Alto | 0.6 mi | — |
| BBS Palo Alto | 0.7 mi | — |
| GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI Palo Alto | 0.7 mi | — |
| ODYSSEY MONTESSORI Palo Alto | 0.7 mi | — |
| Palo Alto High Palo Alto | 0.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Duveneck Elementary Palo Alto | 0.8 mi | 8.8 |
| Frank S. Greene Jr. Middle Palo Alto | 0.8 mi | 8.5 |
| SYNAPSE SCHOOL Palo Alto | 0.9 mi | 8.1 |
| CORNERSTONE LEARNING FOUNDATION Palo Alto | 0.8 mi | 5.7 |
| STRATFORD SCHOOL - PALO ALTO Palo Alto | 0.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Living Wisdom School of Palo Alto Palo Alto | 1.2 mi | — |
| LIVING WISDOM SCHOOL OF PALO ALTO Palo Alto | 1.2 mi | 6.3 |
| CASA DEI BAMBINI SCHOOL Palo Alto | 1.3 mi | — |
| Lydian Academy Palo Alto | 1.3 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 Tru School 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 |
|---|---|
| FOOTHILL PROGRESSIVE MONTESSORI SCHOOL La Canada Flintridge, CA | 5.8 |
| Flournoy Elementary Flournoy, CA | 5.8 |
| JIA-RAY LEARNING CENTER San Jose, CA | 5.8 |
| SPRING HILL-ADVANCED ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OF SANTA CR Santa Cruz, CA | 5.7 |
| YREKA SDA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Yreka, CA | 5.7 |
| HERITAGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Ridgecrest, CA | 5.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Tru School
What grades does Tru School serve?
Tru School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Tru School?
Tru School has an enrollment of approximately 36 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Tru School?
The student-teacher ratio at Tru School is 7.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Tru School rank in CA?
Tru School is ranked #1184 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.
What is Tru School's MySchoolScout rating?
Tru School has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Tru School a private school?
Yes, Tru 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 Tru School a religious school?
No, Tru School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,256/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Palo Alto). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 36
- Gender Split
- 47% M / 53% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 5
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 6.2 hours
- Days Per Year
- 170 days
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- SANTA CLARA
- Phone
- (650) 469-3656
- 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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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