For the 2025 school year, there are 5 public high schools serving 4,057 students in Palo Alto, CA. The top ranked public high schools in Palo Alto, CA are Palo Alto High School, Henry M. Gunn High School and Oxford Day Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Palo Alto, CA public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 74% (versus the California public high school average of 28%), and reading proficiency score of 80% (versus the 51% statewide average). High schools in Palo Alto have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 5% of California public high schools.
Palo Alto, CA public high school have a Graduation Rate of 96%, which is more than the California average of 87%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Palo Alto High School, with 97% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in California or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 71% of the student body (majority Asian), which is less than the California public high school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public High Schools in Palo Alto, CA (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Palo Alto High School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
50 Embarcadero Rd.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 329-3701
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 329-3701
Grades: 9-12
| 1,932 students
Rank: #22.
Henry M. Gunn High School
(Math: 82% | 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
Grades: 9-12
| 1,713 students
Rank: #33.
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
Grades: 9-12
| 105 students
Rank: #44.
East Palo Alto Academy
Charter School
(Math: ≤5% | 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
Grades: 9-12
| 287 students
Rank: n/an/a
725 Welch Rd.
Palo Alto, CA 94304
(650) 497-8230
Palo Alto, CA 94304
(650) 497-8230
Grades: K-12
| 20 students
Palo Alto, California Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
1039 Garden St.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 325-1460
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 325-1460
Grades: 9-12
| 202 students
2086 Clarke St.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-2881
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-2881
Grades: K-5
| n/a students
2450 Ralmar St.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-6700
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-6700
Grades: 8
| 121 students
2450 Ralmar St.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-6700
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-6700
Grades: 4-8
| 514 students
2086 Clarke St.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 614-4300
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 614-4300
Grades: 6-8
| 110 students
2450 Ralmar St.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-2800
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-2800
Grades: K-5
| 35 students
951 Oconnor St. E.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-2800
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-2800
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
420 Florence St., Ste. 300
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(877) 806-0920
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(877) 806-0920
Grades: K-3
| n/a students
2033 Pulgas Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-2800
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-2800
Grades: 6-8
| 114 students
Po Box 51071
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 328-5696
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 328-5696
Grades: 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
Grades: 9-12
| 41 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 8 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public high schools in Palo Alto, CA?
The top ranked public high schools in Palo Alto, CA include Palo Alto High School, Henry M. Gunn High School and Oxford Day Academy. Palo Alto has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in California.
How many public high schools are located in Palo Alto?
5 public high schools are located in Palo Alto.
What is the racial composition of students in Palo Alto?
Palo Alto public high schools minority enrollment is 71% of the student body (majority Asian), which is less than the California public high schools average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Palo Alto are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Palo Alto include: Palo Alto High School vs. Henry M. Gunn High School, Henry M. Gunn High School vs. Palo Alto High School
Recent Articles
Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.
Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.
What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.