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Holbrook-Palmer Estate, "Elmwood"Holbrook-Palmer Estate, "Elmwood" · Photo: LPS.1 · CC0
A+
Schools in Atherton · Sequoia Union High School District, Menlo Park City Elementary School District

Atherton’s public schools outscore 96% of California districts

65% of students in Atherton’s public schools are proficient in math, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the three public school districts serving Atherton, 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.

#18of 847 California townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 93% 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.

Reading proficiency
77%
▲ 30 pts vs CA 47%
2021–22
Math proficiency
65%
▲ 32 pts vs CA 33%
2021–22
Graduate on time
91%
▲ 5 pts vs CA 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$27.3K
▲ 29% vs CA $21.2K
FY2024 · Sequoia Union High
Students per teacher
17.4
CA 21.6 · smaller classes
Schools in town
7
5,400 students on the public path
In brief

Atherton’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 102 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Atherton’s, its schools beat 82%, lower than their 96% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 77% and math 65% across its districts in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 91% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

Sequoia Union High spends $27,344 per student and Menlo Park City Elementary $27,970, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓

Three elementary schools, then two middle and one high school

Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 6% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Sacred Heart Schools Atherton (private) and Menlo School (private) are in town. Every school ↓

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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Atherton’s grade

A+ Test scoresB− Graduation

A+: better than 96% of California school districts, #18 of 847 California towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the California average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

California school districts we grade (1,872)Better than 96%
Lower resultsHigher results
California towns with similar household incomes (102)Better than 82%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 4,363 test results and a graduating class of 2,228 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 93% of Atherton’s students in the tested grades sat them (4,388 in math, 4,340 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Atherton, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–53 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressA+
6–82 middle schoolsDepends on your addressA+
9–12Menlo-Atherton HighSequoia Union High School DistrictNo scores

Parts of Atherton (19% of its land) are served by Redwood City Elementary instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

Three districts serve Atherton

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Sequoia Union High School DistrictGrades 9–12 · 6 schools · 8,419 students, down 6% since 2020–21 · 17.6 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$27,344CA $21,206 · FY2024
A−
Menlo Park City Elementary School DistrictGrades K–8 · 4 schools · 2,682 students, down 4% since 2020–21 · 16.6 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$27,970CA $21,206 · FY2024
A+
Las Lomitas Elementary School DistrictGrades K–8 · 2 schools · 1,134 students, up 2% since 2020–21 · 17.6 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$32,152CA $21,206 · FY2024
A+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading · 9–12, Sequoia Union High School District70%
State average 46.7% · 1903 students tested
Math · 9–12, Sequoia Union High School District49%
State average 33.1% · 1934 students tested
Reading · K–8, Menlo Park City Elementary School District80%
State average 46.7% · 1763 students tested
Math · K–8, Menlo Park City Elementary School District76%
State average 33.1% · 1754 students tested
Reading · K–8, Las Lomitas Elementary School District86%
State average 46.7% · 674 students tested
Math · K–8, Las Lomitas Elementary School District83%
State average 33.1% · 700 students tested

Atherton vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the California towns that share Atherton’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
AthertonA+Menlo Park City Elementary K–8 · Las Lomitas Elementary K–8 · Sequoia Union High 9–12
WoodsideAWoodside Elementary K–8 · Portola Valley Elementary K–8 · Sequoia Union High 9–12
Menlo ParkA−Ravenswood City Elementary K–8 · Menlo Park City Elementary K–8 · Sequoia Union High 9–12
Redwood CityARedwood City Elementary K–8 · Belmont-Redwood Shores Elementary K–8 · Sequoia Union High 9–12

All 3 neighbors share Sequoia Union High with Atherton for grades 9–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.

Every school in Atherton

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).

District schools in Athertonby address
Laurel Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
658 students18:1Rate it →
Encinal Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
604 students15:1Rate it →
Las Lomitas Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–3
A+
522 students20:1Rate it →
Menlo-Atherton High
High · Grades 9–12
2,158 students18:1Rate it →
Also serving Athertonin other towns
La Entrada Middle
Middle · Grades 4–8 · Menlo Park
A+
612 students16:1Rate it →
Hillview Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Menlo Park
846 students16:1Rate it →
Other public schools in Athertonrun by other districts or the state
Adelante Selby Spanish Immersion
Elementary · Grades K–5
582 students25:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Sacred Heart Schools Atherton
Grades PK–12
Private · Catholic
1,204 studentsRate it →
Menlo School
Grades 6–12
Private · Nonsectarian
818 students9:1Rate it →

Questions about Atherton’s schools

Are Atherton’s schools good?

By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Atherton children attend outscore 96% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A+ Schools grade, #18 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 82%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Atherton in?

Sequoia Union High School District, which runs grades 9–12 and enrolls 8,419 students in 6 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Atherton are served by Redwood City Elementary.

Where do Atherton kids go to high school?

Menlo-Atherton High, with 2,158 students.

What is Atherton’s graduation rate?

91% of the class of 2023 in Sequoia Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.

How much does Atherton spend per student?

$27,344 in Sequoia Union High School District, $27,970 in Menlo Park City Elementary School District and $32,152 in Las Lomitas Elementary School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Atherton?

Yes: Sacred Heart Schools Atherton (Catholic, grades PK–12, 1,204 students) and Menlo School (nonsectarian, grades 6–12, 818 students).

Parents talk

What Atherton families are saying about school.

Town Square →
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Looking for colleges? Colleges near Atherton → 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.