Photo: Steven Baltakatei Sandoval · CC BY-SA 4.0Stanford’s public schools outscore 96% of California districts
On the state math tests, 78% of Stanford’s students scored proficient, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving Stanford, 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.
Stanford’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 82% and math 78% 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
The district spends $31,362 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Two elementary schools, then four middle and four high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 5% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
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 Stanford’s grade
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.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Stanford, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Stanford · depends on your address
Escondido Elementary
Grades K–5 · 432 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Lucille M. Nixon Elementary
Grades K–5 · 350 students · 19:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Stanford · depends on your address
Escondido Elementary
Grades K–5 · 432 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Lucille M. Nixon Elementary
Grades K–5 · 350 students · 19:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Stanford · depends on your address
Escondido Elementary
Grades K–5 · 432 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Lucille M. Nixon Elementary
Grades K–5 · 350 students · 19:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Stanford · depends on your address
Escondido Elementary
Grades K–5 · 432 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Lucille M. Nixon Elementary
Grades K–5 · 350 students · 19:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Stanford · depends on your address
Escondido Elementary
Grades K–5 · 432 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Lucille M. Nixon Elementary
Grades K–5 · 350 students · 19:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Stanford · depends on your address
Escondido Elementary
Grades K–5 · 432 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Lucille M. Nixon Elementary
Grades K–5 · 350 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Stanford’s public schools are run by Palo Alto Unified School District, which also serves Los Altos Hills and Palo Alto. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
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
Stanford vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Stanford’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Stanford | A+ | Palo Alto Unified |
| Palo Alto | A+ | Palo Alto Unified K–12 · Fremont Union High 9–12 · Mountain View-Los Altos Union 9–12 |
| Menlo Park | A− | Ravenswood City Elementary K–8 · Menlo Park City Elementary K–8 · Sequoia Union High 9–12 |
Every school in Stanford
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 Stanford’s schools
Are Stanford’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Stanford 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 100%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Stanford in?
Palo Alto Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 10,187 students in 20 schools (2024–25).
Where do Stanford kids go to high school?
One of 4 high schools, depending on your address: Palo Alto High, Henry M. Gunn High, Palo Alto Middle College High and Packard Children's Hospital/Stanford.
What is Stanford’s graduation rate?
97% of the class of 2023 in Palo Alto Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Stanford spend per student?
$31,362 in Palo Alto Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Stanford families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Stanford → 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.