2022 Best Public Elementary Schools in Santa Clara County

The 2022 Best Public Elementary Schools ranking is based on rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents using data from the U.S. Department of Education. Ranking factors include state test scores, student-teacher ratio, student diversity, teacher quality, grade school ratings, and the overall quality of the school district. Read more on how this ranking was calculated.

Best schools

Most diverse
Best teachers
College prep
Largest
Niche standout schools

Best schools
Most diverse
Best teachers

College prep
Largest
Best for STEM

Niche standout schools
Best for the arts

Best for athletes
Best districts

Schools

Districts

Grade Level

Pre-K

Elem

Middle

High

Exclude schools that offer grades higher than the selected grade.

School Type

Public

Traditional

Charter

Magnet

Private

Religion

Catholic

Christian

Jewish

Islamic

Boarding Status

Offers Boarding

Coed Status

Coed

All-Girls

All-Boys

Specialty

Online

Special Education

Montessori

Therapeutic

Tuition is for the highest grade offered and may have changed for the current school year. For more information, please contact the school.

Select a value

Academics

AP Program

IB Program

Gifted/Talented Program

Ratio of students to full-time equivalent teachers. Please note: Student-teacher ratio is not a representation of average class size.

Select a value

Niche Grades

Academics

Teachers

Diversity

Sports

Organization

1-25 of 263 results

#1 Best Public Elementary Schools in Santa Clara County.
Duveneck Elementary School
Blue checkmark.
Palo Alto Unified School District, CA,
K-5,
2 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.
Read 2 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 417,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 16 to 1,
View nearby homes
#2 Best Public Elementary Schools in Santa Clara County.
Walter Hays Elementary School
Blue checkmark.
Palo Alto Unified School District, CA,
K-5,
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 348,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 16 to 1,
View nearby homes
#3 Best Public Elementary Schools in Santa Clara County.
Lucille M. Nixon Elementary School
Blue checkmark.
Palo Alto Unified School District, CA,
K-5,
2 Niche users give it an average review of 3.5 stars.
Featured Review: Alum says Nixon was an amazing school. The teachers were extremely patient and assigned creative and meaningful assignments. I remember writing a journal as someone in the gold rush in 4th grade and doing book....
Read 2 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 433,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 18 to 1,
View nearby homes
Middle School Student: Dwight Global Online school is great for students with or without non-academic interests or careers. The school has helpful and friendly staff whom you can email whenever you have questions or need help with something. The teachers are all highly skilled in their fields which helped me to really understand concepts taught. Teachers also make sure that students learn in all ways, whether theoretical or practical. There are many activities and clubs through zoom during all-school meetings which I find really fun and interactive. In a zoom class, there are 5-10 students so discussion in class is much easier. One addition that many people love is that Dwight Online is a diverse school with people joining from a variety of places. Also because of this, the schedule for live classes each day come in a few options. Students can choose what time they prefer their classes to be, for flexibility and also to make it even with other time zones. Dwight's totally a great option for anyone anywhere!... Read 122 reviews
Sponsored Result, Dwight Global Online School
Blue checkmark.
Online School,
NEW YORK, NY,
6-12,
122 Niche users give it an average review of 4.9 stars.
Featured Review: Middle School Student says Dwight Global Online school is great for students with or without non-academic interests or careers. The school has helpful and friendly staff whom you can email whenever you have questions or need....
Read 122 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 307,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 8 to 1,
View nearby homesVirtual tour
Parent: We love Fairmeadow Elementary school at all levels, ecademic balance, diversity, social and emotional growth of our child. Our son is in grade 1 and he loves reading, math, science, soccer and tops it all he loves to play and socialize. Thanks to the administration, teachers & parents to make this school so precious where childrens can thrive. I will end my review with saying “it takes a village to raise a child”... Read 3 reviews
#4 Best Public Elementary Schools in Santa Clara County.
Fairmeadow Elementary School
Blue checkmark.
Palo Alto Unified School District, CA,
K-5,
3 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars.
Featured Review: Parent says We love Fairmeadow Elementary school at all levels, ecademic balance, diversity, social and emotional growth of our child. Our son is in grade 1 and he loves reading, math, science, soccer and tops....
Read 3 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 438,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 17 to 1,
View nearby homes
#5 Best Public Elementary Schools in Santa Clara County.
Ohlone Elementary School
Blue checkmark.
Palo Alto Unified School District, CA,
K-5,
1 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.
Featured Review: Middle School Student says A different experience from other schools, Ohlone is a very unique place. From combining grades to numerous trips, Ohlone is a very hands on school that has improved my social learning Although the....
Read 1 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 525,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 18 to 1,
View nearby homes
Parent: I have a 3rd grader at this school. The teachers are caring, well-prepared, and dedicated. The students are eager to learn. The parents are friendly and involved. The staff is dedicated and helpful. The students learn a lot, with, it seems to me, particular focus on reading and writing, particularly on reading comprehension and writing structure. There is also a lot of focus on being good citizens being caring towards others, and anti-bullying messages. There is a lot of art and other extras, as well as a lot of after-school activities. I feel like my daughter is getting a well-rounded school experience. She is above grade in her work, and there is a group of similar kids which the teacher works hard to keep engaged and learning. I have been very happy with every grade of her education at Palo Verde.... Read 1 review
#6 Best Public Elementary Schools in Santa Clara County.
Palo Verde Elementary School
Blue checkmark.
Palo Alto Unified School District, CA,
K-5,
1 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.
Featured Review: Parent says I have a 3rd grader at this school. The teachers are caring, well-prepared, and dedicated. The students are eager to learn. The parents are friendly and involved. The staff is dedicated and....
Read 1 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 383,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 19 to 1,
View nearby homes
#7 Best Public Elementary Schools in Santa Clara County.
Herbert Hoover Elementary School
Blue checkmark.
Palo Alto Unified School District, CA,
K-5,
1 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.
Read 1 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 392,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 20 to 1,
View nearby homes
#8 Best Public Elementary Schools in Santa Clara County.
Addison Elementary School
Blue checkmark.
Palo Alto Unified School District, CA,
K-5,
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 391,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 18 to 1,
View nearby homes
#9 Best Public Elementary Schools in Santa Clara County.
El Carmelo Elementary School
Blue checkmark.
Palo Alto Unified School District, CA,
K-5,
2 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.
Featured Review: Parent says Both of my children attend El Carmelo, and we absolutely love it. The rigorous academics, the social/emotional awareness with Project Cornerstone, the caring teachers and staff, the engaged parents....
Read 2 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 347,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 18 to 1,
View nearby homes
#10 Best Public Elementary Schools in Santa Clara County.
Barron Park Elementary School
Blue checkmark.
Palo Alto Unified School District, CA,
K-5,
1 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.
Featured Review: Parent says We've had a great experience at Barron Park, grades weren't a problem and there are lots of different experiences, for example, The Maker's Studio, it's a great way to teach things in a creative way.....
Read 1 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 240,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 15 to 1,
View nearby homes
#11 Best Public Elementary Schools in Santa Clara County.
Juana Briones Elementary School
Blue checkmark.
Palo Alto Unified School District, CA,
K-5,
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 317,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 17 to 1,
View nearby homes
#12 Best Public Elementary Schools in Santa Clara County.
Lakeside Elementary School
Public School,
LOS GATOS, CA,
K-5,
3 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.
Featured Review: Parent says Lakeside Elementary is truly unique, I can't say enough good things about it. It has brought out the best in our children, educating them towards self-confident curious learners and creative....
Read 3 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 74,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 18 to 1,
View nearby homes
#13 Best Public Elementary Schools in Santa Clara County.
Escondido Elementary School
Blue checkmark.
Palo Alto Unified School District, CA,
K-5,
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 547,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 19 to 1,
View nearby homes
#14 Best Public Elementary Schools in Santa Clara County.
Covington Elementary School
Los Altos Elementary School District, CA,
K-6,
2 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.
Featured Review: Parent says Covington provides an excellent education that meets the needs of each individual student. The staff create a positive and challenging learning environment..
Read 2 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 563,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 20 to 1,
View nearby homes
#15 Best Public Elementary Schools in Santa Clara County.
Bullis Charter School
Blue checkmark.
Public School,
LOS ALTOS, CA,
K-8,
13 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.
Featured Review: Parent says Teachers work as a team to deliver an integrated curriculum that covers the subjects through selected themes/topics that integrates all the learning.The arts and music teachers standout in terms of what they are able to do to engage all students in amazing productions.They are also innovative, creative, flexible, free to IMPROVE on a continuous basis..
Read 13 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 1,039,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 23 to 1,
View nearby homes
#16 Best Public Elementary Schools in Santa Clara County.
Loyola Elementary School
Los Altos Elementary School District, CA,
K-6,
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 362,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 20 to 1,
View nearby homes
#17 Best Public Elementary Schools in Santa Clara County.
Almond Elementary School
Los Altos Elementary School District, CA,
K-6,
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 451,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 22 to 1,
View nearby homes
#18 Best Public Elementary Schools in Santa Clara County.
Oak Avenue Elementary School
Los Altos Elementary School District, CA,
K-6,
Overall Niche Grade: A,
Students: 367,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 21 to 1,
View nearby homes
#19 Best Public Elementary Schools in Santa Clara County.
Springer Elementary School
Los Altos Elementary School District, CA,
K-6,
Overall Niche Grade: A,
Students: 454,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 21 to 1,
View nearby homes
Alum: I got the benefit of going to this school because all my older brothers were already going there. I went to DCS all the way from kindergarten to eighth grade. There are so many things that this school offers which you will never find anywhere else. One of the things that might either seem like a pro or a con is that DCS is very reliant on parent participation. This participation often makes school a lot easier as a young child. Though if you worry that as a parent you wouldn't be able to participate whether it be due to a job or something, don't worry about it! DCS is very understanding and only encourages parent participation if possible. Another great thing about DCS is that they really focus on building the skills you will need to succeed late in life. They might not give you as much homework and so it might seem that it is easier, but realistically they are just trying to get away from the idea of working for the grade rather than the gaining of knowledge and understanding.... Read 13 reviews
#20 Best Public Elementary Schools in Santa Clara County.
Discovery Charter School
Blue checkmark.
Public School,
SAN JOSE, CA,
K-8,
13 Niche users give it an average review of 4.5 stars.
Featured Review: Alum says I got the benefit of going to this school because all my older brothers were already going there. I went to DCS all the way from kindergarten to eighth grade. There are so many things that this....
Read 13 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A,
Students: 569,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 21 to 1,
View nearby homes
Parent: Gardner Bullis is a small, community school that we have had a delightful experience having our son attend for the past two years. The teachers do a nice job of balancing academic excellence with social-emotional development. Classes are small (our son's classes that last two years have 18 and 19 students, respectively). There are a variety of specialty teachers on staff (eg, literacy, ESL, library, PE, STEM, computer science) and docent programs that support additional areas of learning (eg, visual arts, "living classroom" which focuses on the outdoors, and the YMCA's Project Cornerstone which is focused on social-emotional development). Recently, I was especially impressed with how quickly the school got a robust remote learning curriculum in place when the SIP order went into effect. Staff also adjusted quickly to feedback when it was received on what wasn't working. If you live in the Los Altos Hills area and are looking at schools, I would definitely schedule a tour.... Read 1 review
#21 Best Public Elementary Schools in Santa Clara County.
Gardner Bullis Elementary School
Los Altos Elementary School District, CA,
K-6,
1 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.
Featured Review: Parent says Gardner Bullis is a small, community school that we have had a delightful experience having our son attend for the past two years. The teachers do a nice job of balancing academic excellence with... Classes are small (our son's classes that last two years have 18 and 19 students, respectively). There are a variety of specialty teachers on staff (eg, literacy, ESL, library, PE, STEM, computer...Recently, I was especially impressed with how quickly the school got a robust remote learning curriculum in place when the SIP order went into effect. Staff also adjusted quickly to feedback when it...If you live in the Los Altos Hills area and are looking at schools, I would definitely schedule a tour..
Read 1 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A,
Students: 288,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 20 to 1,
View nearby homes
#22 Best Public Elementary Schools in Santa Clara County.
Charter School of Morgan Hill
Public School,
MORGAN HILL, CA,
K-8,
Overall Niche Grade: A,
Students: 653,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 21 to 1,
View nearby homes
Review your school
#23 Best Public Elementary Schools in Santa Clara County.
Santa Rita Elementary School
Los Altos Elementary School District, CA,
K-6,
Overall Niche Grade: A,
Students: 491,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 21 to 1,
View nearby homes
#24 Best Public Elementary Schools in Santa Clara County.
Laurelwood Elementary School
Blue checkmark.
Santa Clara Unified School District, CA,
K-5,
3 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.
Featured Review: Parent says I can truly say the teachers at school so far (K and 1st grade) have been wonderful. They are truly invested in all around development of students. My kid loves going to school..
Read 3 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A,
Students: 666,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 26 to 1,
View nearby homes
Parent: A public school that one could easily pay private school prices for. We love it - have been here since Kinder & are very happy. Every week, all kids have gardening, cooking, tinkering, music, PE, STEAM, and for 2 semesters, every Thurs, all they do, all day long is Arts Focus - ceramics, woodwork, videography, kinetic energy, printing... the list is exhaustive. The play they put up every year beats any Broadway production (ok, that's a bit of a stretch...). Parents get to participate and volunteer - in the classroom as a teacher's assistant; organizing field trips; appreciating teachers; parent volunteers teach all the ArtsFocus subjects, gardening, cooking, tinkering. When parents are involved in their students' education, partnering with the teachers, the results are spectacular. These kids are involved in their learning, have a love for learning, are respectful, empathetic, kind and know how to speak with grownups confidently. Love this school!... Read 1 review
#25 Best Public Elementary Schools in Santa Clara County.
Stevenson Elementary School
Mountain View Whisman School District, CA,
K-5,
1 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.
Featured Review: Parent says A public school that one could easily pay private school prices for. We love it - have been here since Kinder & are very happy. Every week, all kids have gardening, cooking, tinkering, music, PE,....
Read 1 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A,
Students: 430,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 25 to 1,
View nearby homes
Parent: Having 3 children who attended Christchurch School, we couldn’t be more pleased with the education they received. The faculty and staff work together in support of the integrated curriculum which prepares students to be not only successful in the classroom, but also instills life lessons, preparing them to successful members within their community. We highly recommend Christchurch School!... Read 67 reviews
Sponsored Result, Christchurch School
Blue checkmark.
Private School,
CHRISTCHURCH, VA,
9-12,
67 Niche users give it an average review of 4.5 stars.
Featured Review: Parent says Having 3 children who attended Christchurch School, we couldn’t be more pleased with the education they received. The faculty and staff work together in support of the integrated curriculum which....
Read 67 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 216,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 5 to 1,
View nearby homes
Alum: In the PYLUSD I went to Yorba Linda High School. I graduated with the class of 2020. I think the choices of elective classes and after school college classes provided by community colleges really helped me explore different fields that I would not have explored at other school districts. I took a commercial arts class in which I learned how to make various products for a brand like T-shirts or business cards. As far as after school college classes I took a sociology class which helped me learn about the field and also I got college units once I passed the class. One change I would like to suggest for the future is to make the economics class a full year instead of a single semester because I feel like we as students needed more preparation as far as how to deal with income taxes. Extra class time will help future students go more in depth into topics like home mortgages, have more quizzes to apply what they have learned and ultimately be prepared for economic life after high school.... Read 130 reviews
Sponsored Result, Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District
Blue checkmark.
School District,
PLACENTIA, CA,
130 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars.
Featured Review: Alum says In the PYLUSD I went to Yorba Linda High School. I graduated with the class of 2020. I think the choices of elective classes and after school college classes provided by community colleges really....
Read 130 reviews.
Students: 25,162,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 26 to 1,
View nearby homes

Find schools near you

Not sure what schools you are zoned for?Find out by exploring our school boundary maps. Look up public schools and districts by address or ZIP code.

About This List

Where Niche Grades come from and how Niche calculates rankings.

loading indicator

1 – 25 of 263

Showing results 1 through 25 of 263

2022 Best Public Elementary Schools in Santa Clara County

Duveneck Elementary School

Duveneck Elementary School

Walter Hays Elementary School

Walter Hays Elementary School

Lucille M. Nixon Elementary School

Lucille M. Nixon Elementary School

Dwight Global Online School

Sponsored Result, Dwight Global Online School

Fairmeadow Elementary School

Fairmeadow Elementary School

Ohlone Elementary School

Ohlone Elementary School

Palo Verde Elementary School

Palo Verde Elementary School

Herbert Hoover Elementary School

Herbert Hoover Elementary School

Addison Elementary School

Addison Elementary School

El Carmelo Elementary School

El Carmelo Elementary School

Barron Park Elementary School

Barron Park Elementary School

Juana Briones Elementary School

Juana Briones Elementary School

Lakeside Elementary School

Lakeside Elementary School

Escondido Elementary School

Escondido Elementary School

Covington Elementary School

Covington Elementary School

Bullis Charter School

Bullis Charter School

Loyola Elementary School

Loyola Elementary School

Almond Elementary School

Almond Elementary School

Oak Avenue Elementary School

Oak Avenue Elementary School

Springer Elementary School

Springer Elementary School

Discovery Charter School

Discovery Charter School

Gardner Bullis Elementary School

Gardner Bullis Elementary School

Charter School of Morgan Hill

Charter School of Morgan Hill

Santa Rita Elementary School

Santa Rita Elementary School

Laurelwood Elementary School

Laurelwood Elementary School

Stevenson Elementary School

Stevenson Elementary School

Christchurch School

Sponsored Result, Christchurch School

Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District

Sponsored Result, Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District