Photo: Ardenmachro · CC BY-SA 4.0East Palo Alto’s public schools outscore 57% of California districts
The grade covers the two public school districts serving East Palo 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 91% 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.
East Palo Alto’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 530 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of East Palo Alto’s, its schools beat 44%, lower than their 57% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 51% and math 34% across both 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
Ravenswood City Elementary spends $39,727 per student and Sequoia Union High $27,344, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Aspire East Palo Alto Charter, East Palo Alto Academy, Oxford Day Academy, KIPP Esperanza High and The Primary School - East Palo Alto (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.
What’s behind East Palo Alto’s grade
B: better than 57% of California school districts, #405 of 847 California towns. 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 East Palo Alto, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in East Palo Alto · depends on your address
Costano Elementary
Grades K–5 · 369 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Los Robles-Ronald McNair Academy
Grades K–5 · 276 students · 18:1 students per teacher
1st grade in East Palo Alto · depends on your address
Costano Elementary
Grades K–5 · 369 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Los Robles-Ronald McNair Academy
Grades K–5 · 276 students · 18:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in East Palo Alto · depends on your address
Costano Elementary
Grades K–5 · 369 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Los Robles-Ronald McNair Academy
Grades K–5 · 276 students · 18:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in East Palo Alto · depends on your address
Costano Elementary
Grades K–5 · 369 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Los Robles-Ronald McNair Academy
Grades K–5 · 276 students · 18:1 students per teacher
4th grade in East Palo Alto · depends on your address
Costano Elementary
Grades K–5 · 369 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Los Robles-Ronald McNair Academy
Grades K–5 · 276 students · 18:1 students per teacher
5th grade in East Palo Alto · depends on your address
Costano Elementary
Grades K–5 · 369 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Los Robles-Ronald McNair Academy
Grades K–5 · 276 students · 18:1 students per teacher
6th grade in East Palo Alto
Cesar Chavez Ravenswood Middle
Grades 6–8 · 488 students · 15:1 students per teacher
7th grade in East Palo Alto
Cesar Chavez Ravenswood Middle
Grades 6–8 · 488 students · 15:1 students per teacher
8th grade in East Palo Alto
Cesar Chavez Ravenswood Middle
Grades 6–8 · 488 students · 15:1 students per teacher
East Palo Alto runs its own schools through grade 8 (Ravenswood City Elementary School District). From grade 9, students attend the Sequoia Union High School District, shared with Atherton, Belmont, Menlo Park, Portola Valley, Redwood City, San Carlos and Woodside. Its high school is in Belmont. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve East Palo Alto
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Above the state in reading
East Palo Alto vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share East Palo Alto’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| East Palo Alto | B | Ravenswood City Elementary K–8 · Sequoia Union High 9–12 |
| Menlo Park | A− | Ravenswood City Elementary K–8 · Menlo Park City Elementary K–8 · Sequoia Union High 9–12 |
| Palo Alto | A+ | Palo Alto Unified K–12 · Fremont Union High 9–12 · Mountain View-Los Altos Union 9–12 |
Every school in East Palo Alto
13 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 East Palo Alto’s schools
Are East Palo Alto’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of California: the public schools East Palo Alto children attend outscore 57% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #405 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 44%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is East Palo Alto in?
Two districts: Ravenswood City Elementary School District runs grades K–8, and Sequoia Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Atherton, Belmont, Menlo Park, Portola Valley, Redwood City, San Carlos and Woodside.
Where do East Palo Alto kids go to high school?
One of 5 high schools, depending on your address: Carlmont High, Menlo-Atherton High, Sequoia High, Woodside High and Tide Academy.
What is East Palo Alto’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 East Palo Alto spend per student?
$39,727 in Ravenswood City Elementary School District and $27,344 in Sequoia Union High School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in East Palo Alto?
Yes: The Primary School - East Palo Alto (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 349 students). East Palo Alto also has 4 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What East Palo Alto families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near East Palo 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.