For the 2025 school year, there are 23 public schools serving 10,898 students in Palo Alto, CA (there are , serving 12,611 private students). 46% of all K-12 students in Palo Alto, CA are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%). Palo Alto has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in California.
The top ranked public schools in Palo Alto, CA are Herbert Hoover Elementary School, Juana Briones Elementary School and Ellen Fletcher Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Palo Alto, CA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 68% (versus the California public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 72% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Palo Alto have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 10% of California public schools.
Minority enrollment is 75% of the student body (majority Asian), which is less than the California public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Best ÎÛÎÛÂþ» Schools in Palo Alto, CA (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Herbert Hoover Elementary School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
445 East Charleston Rd.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 320-8106
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 320-8106
Gr: K-5 | 386 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #22.
Juana Briones Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
4100 Orme St.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 856-0877
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 856-0877
Gr: K-5 | 260 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #33.
Ellen Fletcher Middle School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
655 Arastradero Rd.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 856-9810
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 856-9810
Gr: 6-8 | 549 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #44.
Duveneck Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
705 Alester Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 322-5946
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 322-5946
Gr: K-5 | 349 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #55.
Ohlone Elementary School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
950 Amarillo Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 856-1726
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 856-1726
Gr: K-5 | 448 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #66.
Henry M. Gunn High School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
780 Arastradero Rd.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 354-8200
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 354-8200
Gr: 9-12 | 1,713 student Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #77.
Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
480 East Meadow Dr.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 856-5188
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 856-5188
Gr: 6-8 | 1,025 student Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #88.
Palo Verde Elementary School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
3450 Louis Rd.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 856-1672
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 856-1672
Gr: K-5 | 366 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #99.
Palo Alto High School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
50 Embarcadero Rd.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 329-3701
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 329-3701
Gr: 9-12 | 1,932 student Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #1010.
Fairmeadow Elementary School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
500 East Meadow Dr.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 856-0845
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 856-0845
Gr: K-5 | 441 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Addison Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
650 Addison Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 322-5935
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 322-5935
Gr: K-5 | 338 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
El Carmelo Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
3024 Bryant St.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 856-0960
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 856-0960
Gr: K-5 | 314 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #1313.
Frank S. Greene Jr. Middle School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
750 North California Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(408) 494-8120
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(408) 494-8120
Gr: 6-8 | 760 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #1414.
Walter Hays Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1525 Middlefield Rd.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 322-5956
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 322-5956
Gr: K-5 | 295 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #1515.
Greendell
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
4120 Middlefield Rd.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 856-0833
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 856-0833
Gr: K | 15 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #1616.
Barron Park Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
800 Barron Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 858-0508
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 858-0508
Gr: K-5 | 229 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #1717.
Oxford Day Academy
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1001 Beech St.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 260-3152
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 260-3152
Gr: 9-12 | 105 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 35:1
Rank: #1818.
East Palo Alto Academy
Charter School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1050 Myrtle St.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 893-8900
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 893-8900
Gr: 9-12 | 287 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1
Rank: #1919.
Costano Elementary School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2695 Fordham St.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-2830
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-2830
Gr: K-5 | 318 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #2020.
Cesar Chavez Ravenswood Middle School
(Math: 5% | Reading: 13%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2450 Ralmar St.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-2828
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-2828
Gr: 6-8 | 482 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2121.
Los Robles-ronald Mcnair Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2033 Pulgas Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-2888
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-2888
Gr: K-5 | 266 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: n/an/a
725 Welch Rd.
Palo Alto, CA 94304
(650) 497-8230
Palo Alto, CA 94304
(650) 497-8230
Gr: K-12 | 20 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Palo Alto, California ÎÛÎÛÂþ» Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
1039 Garden St.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 325-1460
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 325-1460
Gr: 9-12 | 202 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1
2450 Ralmar St.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-6700
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-6700
Gr: 8 | 121 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 24:1
2450 Ralmar St.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-6700
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-6700
Gr: 4-8 | 514 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1
2086 Clarke St.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 614-4300
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 614-4300
Gr: 6-8 | 110 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 22:1
2450 Ralmar St.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-2800
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-2800
Gr: K-5 | 35 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1
951 Oconnor St. E.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-2800
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-2800
420 Florence St., Ste. 300
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(877) 806-0920
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(877) 806-0920
Gr: K-3
2033 Pulgas Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-2800
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-2800
Gr: 6-8 | 114 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 29:1
Po Box 51071
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 328-5696
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 328-5696
Gr: K-7 | 49 students
Sequoia Community Day (Closed 2015)
Alternative School
763 Green St.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 323-1085
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 323-1085
Gr: 9-12 | 41 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
South Community High School (Closed 2013)
Alternative School
2031 Pulgas Ave
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 599-1517
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 599-1517
Gr: 9-12 | 8 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 8:1
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Palo Alto, CA?
The top ranked public schools in Palo Alto, CA include Herbert Hoover Elementary School, Juana Briones Elementary School and Ellen Fletcher Middle School. Palo Alto has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in California.
How many public schools are located in Palo Alto?
23 public schools are located in Palo Alto.
What percentage of students in Palo Alto go to public school?
46% of all K-12 students in Palo Alto are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Palo Alto?
Palo Alto public schools minority enrollment is 75% of the student body (majority Asian), which is less than the California public schools average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Palo Alto are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Palo Alto include: Fairmeadow Elementary School vs. Herbert Hoover Elementary School, Herbert Hoover Elementary School vs. Fairmeadow Elementary School, Ohlone Elementary School vs. Walter Hays Elementary School
Recent Articles
Opinion: Handcuffing in ÎÛÎÛÂþ» Schools is a Gateway to More Violence
Some districts are banning handcuffing, while others are cuffing kindergarteners simply throwing a temper tantrum. Read this editorial to see why this author believes slapping the cuffs on children’s wrists only leads to more behavior issues and violence in their adult lives.
Whooping Cough: Should Vaccinations be Required for ÎÛÎÛÂþ» School Enrollment?
Whopping cough is making a comeback, especially amongst children, prompting health officials to encourage pertussis vaccines and boosters. However, should the pertussis vaccine be required for public school enrollment? Learn about current proposed laws and its ramifications.
What are Common Core Standards and Why Do We Need Them?
With schools nationwide adopting common core standards, we’ll take a look at what they are, their benefits, and how they will change the face of public education.
