2020 Best Public Elementary Schools in CaliforniaAbout this List

Duveneck Elementary School

• Palo Alto Unified School District, CA
• K-5
• 1 review

• A+

• 430 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Juana Briones Elementary School

• Palo Alto Unified School District, CA
• K-5

• A+

• 314 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Palo Verde Elementary School

• Palo Alto Unified School District, CA
• K-5
• 1 review

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

• A+

• 399 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

K.L. Carver Elementary

• San Marino Unified School District, CA
• PK, K-5
• 2 reviews

Parent: I transferred my child to Carver and my child has shown tremendous improvement since she has been transferred. I have told that the school is great academically, the staff is excellent, the students great too! :)
Read 2 Reviews

• A+

• 614 Students
• 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Lucille M. Nixon Elementary School

• Palo Alto Unified School District, CA
• K-5
• 1 review

• A+

• 442 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Valentine Elementary School

• San Marino Unified School District, CA
• K-5
• 8 reviews

Parent: My child attended Valentine K-5 and loved it! I was reading some of the reviews before writing mine and it is just false and sad the way they described Valentine as "teach to the test". The teachers actually do the opposite. In my daughters experience there would be tons of projects, hands on activities, and fun lessons that keep kids interested. Also, students get to participate in activities at lunch three times a month or more. The school has an outstanding arts program for public school with music once a week for two months three times I think I'm not sure about the numbers. As well as a recurring once a month art program. Valentine also has wonderful physical education. Ms. Pollard and Coach Wes are very nice and get the kids to do yoga, circuit training, and more fun things like fifty different types of tag. My kid got amazing results in fitness because they ran everyday in fun ways like tag and the small two laps. Making learning fun was the superpower of all teachers!
Read 8 Reviews

• A+

• 586 Students
• 23:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Walter Hays Elementary School

• Palo Alto Unified School District, CA
• K-5

• A+

• 389 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Herbert Hoover Elementary School

• Palo Alto Unified School District, CA
• K-5

• A+

• 397 Students
• 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Mt. Everest Academy

• Online School
• San Diego Unified School District, CA
• K-12
• 41 reviews

Senior: Mt. Everest Academy is an exceptional school that offers a unique learning experience for each student. The teachers and faculty at Mt. Everest are very caring and truly look out for the students best interest. Being that Mt. Everest Academy is an alternative, independent study school, working in that environment provides the students with better time management and communication skills than at your typical high school. In a way you get that college experience of having different classes on different days and times; having to balance your class time, homework, and extracurricular schedules is all a part of it. That might seem intimidating to some but fortunately you still have the guidance and help from teachers and counselor who will help you make the best decisions for your goals and needs. At Mt. Everest Academy, you have the opportunity to make a connection with each of your teachers, which adds to the overall experience. Enroll at Mt. Everest Academy, you won’t regret it!
Read 41 Reviews

• A+

• 240 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Addison Elementary School

• Palo Alto Unified School District, CA
• K-5

• A+

• 435 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Ohlone Elementary School

• Palo Alto Unified School District, CA
• K-5
• 1 review

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 Review

• A+

• 567 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Fairmeadow Elementary School

• Palo Alto Unified School District, CA
• K-5
• 3 reviews

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

• A+

• 469 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

El Carmelo Elementary School

• Palo Alto Unified School District, CA
• K-5
• 1 review

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 Review

• A+

• 377 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Point Vicente Elementary School

• Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District, CA
• K-5
• 8 reviews

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 8 Reviews

• A+

• 332 Students
• 24:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Cornerstone at Pedregal Elementary School

• Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District, CA
• K-5
• 1 review

• A+

• 409 Students
• 26:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Dapplegray Elementary School

• Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District, CA
• K-5

• A+

• 639 Students
• 25:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Jack L. Weaver Elementary School

• Los Alamitos Unified School District, CA
• K-5
• 1 review

Parent: This is a wonderful public school that feels like a private school. As there is no geographic area that feeds this school, every single person who attends went out of their way to enroll. As a result, the school is filled with highly motivated students and extremely supportive families. In addition, the teachers are amazing! Weaver leans towards STEM education and the parent groups fund many types of technology and instruction beyond what is paid for by the school district. From what I've heard from parents whose children are now in middle school, they transition easily and are well prepared for middle school academics.
Read 1 Review

• A+

• 683 Students
• 26:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Tulita Elementary School

• Redondo Beach Unified School District, CA
• K-5

• A+

• 507 Students
• 25:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Woodside Elementary School

• Public School
• Woodside, CA
• K-8
• 4 reviews

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 4 Reviews

• A+

• 411 Students
• 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Richard Henry Lee Elementary School

• Los Alamitos Unified School District, CA
• K-5

• A+

• 641 Students
• 26:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Carmel River Elementary School

• Carmel Unified School District, CA
• K-5
• 3 reviews

Niche User: It was very good. I liked it a lot. There was a lot of activities, things to do and the overall atmosphere is very good. It very well is a bully free school.
Read 3 Reviews

• A+

• 457 Students
• 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary School

• Manhattan Beach Unified School District, CA
• K-5

• A+

• 512 Students
• 26:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Deer Canyon Elementary School

• Poway Unified School District, CA
• K-5

• A+

• 491 Students
• 24:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Francis Hopkinson Elementary School

• Los Alamitos Unified School District, CA
• K-5
• 1 review

Sophomore: I had a wonderful time at Hopkinson. My siblings also attended school here, and the teachers are amazing.
Read 1 Review

• A+

• 705 Students
• 26:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Vista Grande Elementary School

• Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District, CA
• K-5

• A+

• 451 Students
• 27:1 Student-Teacher Ratio