Casa de Tableta · Photo: W Nowicki · CC BY 3.0Portola Valley’s public schools outscore 89% of California districts
In Portola Valley, 54% of tested students are proficient in math, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Portola Valley, 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.
Portola Valley’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 102 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Portola Valley’s, its schools beat 42%, lower than their 89% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 72% and math 54% 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
Portola Valley Elementary spends $36,710 per student and Sequoia Union High $27,344, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Woodside Priory School (private) is 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 Portola Valley’s grade
A: better than 89% of California school districts, #85 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 Portola Valley, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Portola Valley
Ormondale Elementary
Grades K–3 · 243 students · 17:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Portola Valley
Ormondale Elementary
Grades K–3 · 243 students · 17:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Portola Valley
Ormondale Elementary
Grades K–3 · 243 students · 17:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Portola Valley
Ormondale Elementary
Grades K–3 · 243 students · 17:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Portola Valley
Corte Madera
Grades 4–8 · 252 students · 11:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Portola Valley
Corte Madera
Grades 4–8 · 252 students · 11:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Portola Valley
Corte Madera
Grades 4–8 · 252 students · 11:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Portola Valley
Corte Madera
Grades 4–8 · 252 students · 11:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Portola Valley
Corte Madera
Grades 4–8 · 252 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Portola Valley runs its own schools through grade 8 (Portola Valley Elementary School District). From grade 9, students attend the Sequoia Union High School District, shared with Atherton, Belmont, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, 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 Portola Valley
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
Portola Valley vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Portola Valley’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Portola Valley | A | Portola Valley Elementary K–8 · Sequoia Union High 9–12 |
| Woodside | A | Woodside Elementary K–8 · Portola Valley 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 Portola Valley
8 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 Portola Valley’s schools
Are Portola Valley’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Portola Valley children attend outscore 89% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #85 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 42%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Portola Valley in?
Two districts: Portola Valley Elementary School District runs grades K–8, and Sequoia Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Atherton, Belmont, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Redwood City, San Carlos and Woodside.
Where do Portola Valley 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 Portola Valley’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 Portola Valley spend per student?
$36,710 in Portola Valley 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 Portola Valley?
Yes: Woodside Priory School (Catholic, grades 6–12, 427 students).
Parents talk
What Portola Valley families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Portola Valley → 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.