Palo Alto Unified School District

25 Churchill Ave
Palo Alto, CA 94306-1005
(District boundaries shown in map)
10/
10
Top 5%

Top Rankings

Palo Alto Unified School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in California for:

Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 5%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 5%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 5%)
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
Student Attention
Lowest student:teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2024 school year, there are 5 public middle schools serving 2,422 students in Palo Alto Unified School District. This district's average middle testing ranking is 10/10, which is in the top 5% of public middle schools in California.
Public Middle Schools in Palo Alto Unified School District have an average math proficiency score of 78% (versus the California public middle school average of 32%), and reading proficiency score of 81% (versus the 47% statewide average).
The top ranked public middle schools in Palo Alto Unified School District are Ellen Fletcher Middle School, Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle School and Frank S. Greene Jr. Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking. Minority enrollment is 69% of the student body (majority Asian), which is less than the California public middle school average of 77% (majority Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
19 Schools
3,478 Schools
# Students
10,463 Students
1,875,212 Students
# Teachers
638 Teachers
87,766 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
16:1
16:1

District Rank

Palo Alto Unified School District, which is ranked #29 of all 1,167 school districts in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2020-2021 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 95% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School District
State Average (CA)
#33 out of 1200 school districts
(Top 5%)
This chart display the overall district rank of Palo Alto Unified  School District, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
79%
34%
This chart display the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Palo Alto Unified  School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
80%
49%
This chart display the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Palo Alto Unified  School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
95%
84%
This chart display public school graduation rate of Palo Alto Unified  School District and public school graduation rate of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Students by Ethnicity:

0.72
0.64
# American Indian Students
9 Students
10,541 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
4,108 Students
199,355 Students
% Asian Students
39%
11%
# Hispanic Students
1,558 Students
1,021,136 Students
% Hispanic Students
15%
54%
# Black Students
183 Students
104,497 Students
% Black Students
2%
6%
# White Students
3,352 Students
425,910 Students
% White Students
32%
23%
# Hawaiian Students
94 Students
7,948 Students
% Hawaiian Students
1%
n/a
# Two or more races Students
1,155 Students
103,260 Students
% of Two or more races Students
11%
5%

Students by Grade:

# Students in PK Grade:
-
-
# Students in K Grade:
709
83,361
# Students in 1st Grade:
681
74,656
# Students in 2nd Grade:
663
77,033
# Students in 3rd Grade:
706
77,239
# Students in 4th Grade:
733
80,324
# Students in 5th Grade:
710
86,020
# Students in 6th Grade:
755
291,274
# Students in 7th Grade:
756
434,675
# Students in 8th Grade:
817
455,560
# Students in 9th Grade:
906
55,052
# Students in 10th Grade:
947
52,041
# Students in 11th Grade:
1,036
51,590
# Students in 12th Grade:
1,044
56,387
# Ungraded Students:
-
-

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $27,620 is higher than the state median of $19,806. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $29,519 is higher than the state median of $18,241. The school district spending/student has grown by 13% over four school years.
This School District
This State (CA)
Total Revenue
$289 MM
$116,387 MM
This chart display total revenue of Palo Alto Unified  School District and median value from total revenues of all school districts in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending
$309 MM
$107,188 MM
This chart display total spending of Palo Alto Unified  School District and median value from total spendings of all school districts in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Revenue / Student
$27,620
$19,806
This chart display average revenue per public school student in Palo Alto Unified  School District and average revenue per public school student of all school districts in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending / Student
$29,519
$18,241
This chart display average spending per public school student in Palo Alto Unified  School District and average spending per public school student of all school districts in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Best Palo Alto Unified School District Public Middle Schools (2024)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Ellen Fletcher Middle School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
655 Arastradero Rd.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 856-9810
Grades: 6-8
| 506 students
Rank: #22.
Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
480 E. Meadow Dr.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 856-5188
Grades: 6-8
| 996 students
Rank: #33.
Frank S. Greene Jr. Middle School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
750 N. Ca Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(408) 494-8120
Grades: 6-8
| 821 students
Rank: #44.
Greendell
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
4120 Midfield Rd.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 856-0833
Grades: K-12
| 82 students
Rank: n/an/a
725 Welch Rd.
Palo Alto, CA 94304
(650) 497-8230
Grades: K-12
| 17 students

Recent Articles

How “Collaborative Reasoning” Could Be the Next Public School Trend
How “Collaborative Reasoning” Could Be the Next Public School Trend
Collaborative reasoning, which encourages independent critical thinking, is growing in popularity amongst public schools. Learn about collaborative reasoning and how it benefits public school classrooms.
Understanding ADHD in Children: Signs, Diagnosis, and Support Strategies
Understanding ADHD in Children: Signs, Diagnosis, and Support Strategies
This comprehensive article explores the complex nature of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, providing insights into its symptoms, diagnosis process, and effective support strategies. From recognizing early signs to navigating the diagnostic journey, parents will gain valuable knowledge to help their child thrive. Expert insights, real-life examples, and practical tips empower readers to create a supportive environment that meets the unique needs of children with ADHD.
Teaching in Contemporary Times
March 04, 2024
Teaching in Contemporary Times
We explore why individuals choose teaching, illuminating intrinsic motivations, the influence of role models, the pursuit of lifelong learning, and the aspiration to impact society.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • District size: 19 schools
  • Grades: KG-12
  • Enrollment: 10,463 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 16:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 68%
  • : 95% (Top 20% in CA)
  • : Top 5%
  • : 79% (Top 5%)
  • : 80% (Top 5%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education

Quick Links