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K-12 Schools in California
2

2018 Best Public Elementary Schools in CaliforniaAbout this List

The 2018 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
6,254 results

  1. El Carmelo Elementary School

    • Palo Alto Unified School District, CA
    • K-5
    • 1
    1 Best Public Elementary Schools in California

    Parent: 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 and PTA. Truly a gem in South Palo Alto!
    Read 1 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 395 Students
    • 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  2. Duveneck Elementary School

    • Palo Alto Unified School District, CA
    • K-5
    2 Best Public Elementary Schools in California
    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 479 Students
    • 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  3. Ohlone Elementary School

    • Palo Alto Unified School District, CA
    • K-5
    • 1
    3 Best Public Elementary Schools in California

    Middle School Student: 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 academics could be more strict this is a good school.
    Read 1 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 600 Students
    • 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  5. Palo Verde Elementary School

    • Palo Alto Unified School District, CA
    • K-5
    • 1
    4 Best Public Elementary Schools in California

    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 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 415 Students
    • 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  6. Walter Hays Elementary School

    • Palo Alto Unified School District, CA
    • K-5
    5 Best Public Elementary Schools in California
    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 463 Students
    • 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  7. Fairmeadow Elementary School

    • Palo Alto Unified School District, CA
    • K-5
    • 1
    6 Best Public Elementary Schools in California

    Works Here: Fairmeadow school is a great school but it's food is incredibly terrible I love all the noon sports like pilo polo, rounders, and capture the flag
    Read 1 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 514 Students
    • 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  8. Sponsored

    The Thacher School

    • Private School
    • Ojai, CA
    • 9-12
    • 53

    Parent: Thacher is a wonderful school! Our daughter is very bright and forward thinking. This is the perfect fit for her. Her experience from kindergarten through 9th grade was in the French system which is very strict and academic. Her experience was very positive there, but it was time for her to experience more connection to her teachers. The Thacher School has been a breath of fresh air. Down to earth. Their understanding of the teen mind and showing them the path of responsibility to themselves and other people is impressive and it works. My husband and I could not be happier with our daughter's choice of Thacher as her school.
    Read 53 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 246 Students
    • 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  9. Juana Briones Elementary School

    • Palo Alto Unified School District, CA
    • K-5
    7 Best Public Elementary Schools in California
    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 335 Students
    • 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  10. Herbert Hoover Elementary School

    • Palo Alto Unified School District, CA
    • K-5
    8 Best Public Elementary Schools in California
    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 406 Students
    • 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  11. Lucille M. Nixon Elementary School

    • Palo Alto Unified School District, CA
    • K-5
    9 Best Public Elementary Schools in California
    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 473 Students
    • 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  13. Addison Elementary School

    • Palo Alto Unified School District, CA
    • K-5
    10 Best Public Elementary Schools in California
    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 475 Students
    • 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  14. Escondido Elementary School

    • Palo Alto Unified School District, CA
    • K-5
    11 Best Public Elementary Schools in California
    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 550 Students
    • 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  15. Woodside Elementary School

    • Public School
    • Woodside, CA
    • K-8
    • 2
    12 Best Public Elementary Schools in California

    Middle School Student: Such a tight knit community with incredible staff. Everything here is great, from the after school activities, to the facilities, to the electives. The elective booklet is massive and has some incredible choices. Every single kid is proficient in all topics. They also manage to create a very safe and welcoming environment while still keeping the academics competitive.
    Read 2 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 409 Students
    • 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  16. Sponsored

    The Bishop's School

    • Private School
    • San Diego, CA
    • 6-12
    • 61

    Senior: Overall, a satisfying experience, considering I attended Bishop's 6-12 grades. I'd say the best part is the small class sizes, thus allowing you to have one-on-one relationships with teachers, and they can tailor their teaching more specifically to all the students. However, recently teachers have been leaving at a pretty high rate, so it's harder to get a deep connection with them, but hopefully with more administrative stability that should come soon, the teacher turnover rate will decline.
    Read 61 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 800 Students
    • 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  17. Barron Park Elementary School

    • Palo Alto Unified School District, CA
    • K-5
    13 Best Public Elementary Schools in California
    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 289 Students
    • 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  18. Valentine Elementary School

    • San Marino Unified School District, CA
    • K-5
    • 2
    14 Best Public Elementary Schools in California
    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 561 Students
    • 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  19. Carver Elementary School

    • San Marino Unified School District, CA
    • K-5
    • 2
    15 Best Public Elementary Schools in California

    Niche User: Carver is a great school. The academics are great for an elementary school and the school does a wonderful job at being inclusive and welcoming.
    Read 2 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 586 Students
    • 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  20. Willow Grove Elementary School

    • Poway Unified School District, CA
    • K-5
    16 Best Public Elementary Schools in California
    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 764 Students
    • 25:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  21. Deer Canyon Elementary School

    • Poway Unified School District, CA
    • K-5
    17 Best Public Elementary Schools in California
    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 504 Students
    • 24:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  24. Phoebe Apperson Hearst Elementary School

    • Pleasanton Unified School District, CA
    • K-5
    • 1
    18 Best Public Elementary Schools in California
    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 689 Students
    • 27:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  25. Stone Ranch Elementary School

    • Poway Unified School District, CA
    • K-5
    • 1
    19 Best Public Elementary Schools in California

    Alum: I'm seventeen years old so forgive me for not having an recent memories of elementary school. It was a generally happy time. I liked most of my teachers, and I feel like I learned a lot. Although I almost think the curriculum is more centered around reading/writing and less thowards math, which I needed more support in. Then again, I haven't attended the school in about six years, and it could have changed since then.
    Read 1 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 956 Students
    • 26:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  26. Point Vicente Elementary School

    • Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District, CA
    • K-5
    • 7
    20 Best Public Elementary Schools in California

    Niche User: Going to Point Vicnete was very well. I started in 1st grade and had the amazing principal Becky Cash. Although she unfortunately left in 3rd grade, our new principal Beth Hadley wasn't all bad. Although she will never be as good as Ms Cash. 4th grade will most likely be the worst year because Mrs Soto is very rude. I do not know about Mrs Wang because she recently got the job. 1st 2nd and 3rd grade was AMAZING with some of the best teachers I have seen (I'm a sophomore at Peninsula) 5th grade was okay, as Outdoor Science School was amazing. Hope I helped make up your mind on a elementary school :)
    Read 7 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 374 Students
    • 23:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  27. Los Penasquitos Elementary School

    • Poway Unified School District, CA
    • K-5
    21 Best Public Elementary Schools in California
    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 551 Students
    • 26:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  28. Del Sur Elementary School

    • Poway Unified School District, CA
    • K-5
    • 1
    22 Best Public Elementary Schools in California

    Parent: Amazing school--teachers and faculty. My kids are thriving--being taught to show kindness for others, in addition to being taught to achieve academic excellence. Can't say enough good things. Period.
    Read 1 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 705 Students
    • 27:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes
  29. Review Your School

  30. Palm Crest Elementary School

    • La Canada Unified School District, CA
    • K-6
    23 Best Public Elementary Schools in California
    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 614 Students
    • 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  31. Henry P. Mohr Elementary School

    • Pleasanton Unified School District, CA
    • K-5
    24 Best Public Elementary Schools in California
    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 621 Students
    • 27:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  32. Creekside Elementary School

    • Poway Unified School District, CA
    • K-5
    25 Best Public Elementary Schools in California
    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 564 Students
    • 25:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes
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2018 Best Public Elementary Schools in California
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