Alto’s public schools outscore 97% of California districts
In Alto, 68% of tested students are proficient in math, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Alto, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.
From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 85% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Alto’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 77% and math 68% across both districts in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 97% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Mill Valley Elementary spends $24,180 per student and Tamalpais Union High $23,705, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Alto’s grade
A+: better than 97% of California school districts. Test scores and graduation are both above the California average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Alto, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Alto
Mill Valley Middle
Grades 6–8 · 721 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Mill Valley
7th grade in Alto
Mill Valley Middle
Grades 6–8 · 721 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Mill Valley
8th grade in Alto
Mill Valley Middle
Grades 6–8 · 721 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Mill Valley
9th grade in Alto · depends on your address
Redwood High
Grades 9–12 · 1,722 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Larkspur
Tamalpais High
Grades 9–12 · 1,470 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Mill Valley
Archie Williams High
Grades 9–12 · 1,141 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in San Anselmo
10th grade in Alto · depends on your address
Redwood High
Grades 9–12 · 1,722 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Larkspur
Tamalpais High
Grades 9–12 · 1,470 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Mill Valley
Archie Williams High
Grades 9–12 · 1,141 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in San Anselmo
11th grade in Alto · depends on your address
Redwood High
Grades 9–12 · 1,722 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Larkspur
Tamalpais High
Grades 9–12 · 1,470 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Mill Valley
Archie Williams High
Grades 9–12 · 1,141 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in San Anselmo
12th grade in Alto · depends on your address
Redwood High
Grades 9–12 · 1,722 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Larkspur
Tamalpais High
Grades 9–12 · 1,470 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Mill Valley
Archie Williams High
Grades 9–12 · 1,141 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in San Anselmo
Alto runs its own schools through grade 8 (Mill Valley Elementary School District). From grade 9, students attend the Tamalpais Union High School District, shared with Belvedere, Corte Madera, Fairfax, Larkspur, Mill Valley, Ross, San Anselmo, Sausalito and Tiburon. Its elementary school is in Mill Valley. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Alto
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Alto vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Alto’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Alto | A+ | Mill Valley Elementary K–8 · Tamalpais Union High 9–12 |
| Mill Valley | A+ | Mill Valley Elementary K–8 · Tamalpais Union High 9–12 |
Every school in Alto
9 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with California’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Alto’s schools
Are Alto’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Alto children attend outscore 97% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A+ Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 99%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Alto in?
Two districts: Mill Valley Elementary School District runs grades K–8, and Tamalpais Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Belvedere, Corte Madera, Fairfax, Larkspur, Mill Valley, Ross, San Anselmo, Sausalito and Tiburon.
Where do Alto kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Redwood High, Tamalpais High and Archie Williams High.
What is Alto’s graduation rate?
97% of the class of 2023 in Tamalpais Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Alto spend per student?
$24,180 in Mill Valley Elementary School District and $23,705 in Tamalpais Union High School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Alto families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Alto → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within California. Stars are from neighbors.