2023 Best Schools in Santa Clara County

• Palo Alto, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.41 out of 5  59 reviews

Parent: Great school with wonderful teachers, curriculum and leadership. Some classes can be challenging but teachers are there to support student learning and growth!... Read 59 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 416

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• San Jose, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.35 out of 5  165 reviews

Alum: I attended Harker from Kindergarten through High School. Harker's repute as a powerhouse of intense and thorough academics is well-earned– students are constantly challenged in the classroom. However, this academic rigor does not come at the cost of a full-fledged extracurricular experience. Harker's many extracurricular departments provide an all-encompassing vocational education that seamlessly accompanies students' academic experience, including athletics, arts, journalism, engineering, and much more. Unfortunately, while Harker's culture encourages growth and self-improvement, it lacks support for students' mental and physical health. Students often prioritize their academic work above other important aspects of life, such as sleep, health, and socializing, and this culture often contributes to burnout and mental health problems. Overall, if you are searching for a school that will exceedingly prepare you for college and beyond, I recommend Harker with confidence.... Read 165 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,972

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• San Jose, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  112 reviews

Parent: As a 3G parent at Basis Independent Silicon Valley Lower, I have to say, I've been really impressed with the school so far. My kid has been attending for about a year now, and I've seen a lot of positive changes in their academic and personal growth. The teacher at Basis are super dedicated and really push the students to think outside the box. I've noticed that my child has become a much more critical thinker since starting at Basis. And the range of extracurricular activities is diverse and captivating, allowing my child to explore various interests. My daughter particularly loves the visual art class and club, which have greatly benefited her. Kudos to Basis Independent School Silicon Valley Lower for creating such an incredible learning environment!... Read 112 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,189

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Palo Alto Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.84 out of 5  325 reviews

Senior: Honestly not terrible. Can at times be a bit hit and miss (i.e. got unlucky with teachers, but at what school is that not a thing), but for the most part you can get a pretty good experience out of this school if you stay optimistic. Which brings me to the main downside: (it feels like) everyone goes to college. And because of that, there are great resources to go to college! Which means you can get lulled into a false sense of security around knowing what you need to do for college even though you don't because so much has been handed to you. But as long as you're aware of that you can avoid those pitfalls and have a pretty good time.... Read 325 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,936

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Palo Alto Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  346 reviews

Senior: Amazing, dedicated students! Academics are challenging, and many students are stressed, but my experience here was incredible. The people are super nice and inviting. I recommend enrolling in Middle College or College Now instead of taking AP courses. You still get the high school experience and guaranteed college credit.... Read 346 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,085

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  212 reviews

Niche User: SHS is a fairly balanced school，that is relatively different from other best high schools in the bay area. Although STEM is also very strong, but overall, it pays a lots of attention to the cultivation of children's abilities in other aspects. There are many clubs in the school, and you will be amazed at the high level of the band, the dance group, the speach club, the robot etc. Children who can develop well here must have very strong self-reliance. Because many things have to be managed by the students themselves.Rather than being like many top private schools, in fact, most of them are arranged and promoted by teachers. Another point is that city of Saratoga itself is a very nice place to live, and it can be said to be one of the best communities in the whole San Francisco Bay Area. Most of the students come from families with similar backgrounds. Families would sincerely invest in building a better school, because a good school will also lead to a better community.... Read 212 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,159

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Mountain View, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  27 reviews

Alum: Khan Lab School is much more than a high school, it is a school where your passions and interests are put first and foremost. From my Senior Capstone project being directed towards my passions to my entire academic plan being personally customized, I feel that Khan Lab School has prepared me towards furthering my education after high school. Outside of just academics, my overall executive function skills were trained in and out of the classroom. After going through the college application process, and being accepted into a top-tier university, I feel that Khan Lab School has prepared me for all life-long-learning experiences.... Read 27 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 260

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Los Altos Hills, CA•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.14 out of 5  29 reviews

Alum: Pinewood School has changed me into the person I am today. This community has helped me open up more to get more out of the world instead of staying to my own all the time. I have learnt to be a little more sociable when necessary and taught me how I can keep improving based on my experiences. Pinewood would always try to find ways to alleviate stress on students and care about their emotions towards completing an assignment, going to a practice, or anything else. All teachers teach with such a passion that the relationship of teacher and student turns to just a discussion group talking about an very interesting topic. Although the tuition is a bit on the pricey side, I would totally recommend Pinewood to others looking for a high-quality academic and fun-loving, social community.... Read 29 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 297

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Palo Alto, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.11 out of 5  27 reviews

Parent: Kehillah is a GREAT school with incredible academics and a focus on community values! Because it's a relatively small school, the and teachers really know each student. My son shadowed at quite a few Bay Area high schools, and after his Shadow Day at Kehillah he was absolutely beaming because of the engaging learning environment. I really appreciate the creative teaching approaches and service learning opportunities to school provides. The school's leadership and communications are also outstanding. Our family is so thankful to have found Kehillah Jewish High School.... Read 27 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 218

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• San Jose, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.56 out of 5  217 reviews

Senior: I have enjoyed my experience here at Bellarmine, it has taught me to be an active learner and has definitely prepared me for College. There are so many activities to get involved in and they do a great job of trying to make sure everyone feels included and represented. Just like any school or institution you will get out what you put in so step out of your comfort zone and try new things to hopefully discover your passion. Go Bells!... Read 217 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,643

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  332 reviews

Sophomore: I've moved to this school very recently, I used to attend Great Oak High school and moved recently. This school by far has been amazing. Everything from the Teachers to the schools facility are great. All of my teachers are amazing and very helpful and very engaged with their students. The students at this school are very kind and were willing to go out of way to help me around and even give me a tour of the school. The school also offers programs like counseling, collage help and free tutoring too. As far as academics and sports the school is very competitive. Facilities here are very well maintained and kept in excellent condition. The student body is also very diverse. Overall I really like my school and I know for a fact that anyone else that might transfer here would too. GO LAHS!... Read 332 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,209

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• San Jose, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  259 reviews

Sophomore: My freshman year was better than I could have ever imagined it! Going to an all girls school may seem like a center for drama, but the community built there is wonderful. Everyone at the school is so nice and cares about you. The teachers are wonderful and are skilled at what they do. I definitely feel that I am getting the very best education that I could have here at ND. The classes aren’t too big, so you are really able to get a one on one experience within your classes. School spirit is big at ND, but also super fun. Spirit week at ND was amazing and made me feel proud to be a Regent at ND. I am so happy I chose to go to this school and grateful for all of the opportunities ND has provided me to become a woman of impact and a strong leader in my community.... Read 259 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 650

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Fremont Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.78 out of 5  495 reviews

Senior: Lynbrook is a very academically-focused school. The environment is often described as competitive, however, students are generally supportive of each other and their individual endeavors. Quality of teaching varies at Lynbrook. In general, teachers are supportive and caring of the students, but having to essentially self-study some courses does happen occasionally. As one may expect, AP classes have a heavier workload at Lynbrook, but in general I've found that I get more out of an AP class compared to a regular class. This is due to the teachers usually putting more time and effort into properly engaging the class with the courses. Support for extracurricular programs such as clubs and sports will depend on the specific activity, as some programs are funded more than others. The school can improve on equally funding all extracurricular programs. School spirit is high and the student body can get highly involved in activities such as homecoming, rallies, and other spirit events.... Read 495 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,942

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  294 reviews

Senior: I'm very happy with the wide variety of academic and extracurricular opportunities at my school. There are many AP and elective courses in STEM, helping prepare one for further study in college, but there's also lots of sports, arts, and humanities too. We have many strong sports, a great marching band, a thriving student newspaper, and more. MVHS offers dual enrollment in Freestyle Academy for juniors and seniors looking to study art in depth. Even students who just want to try things out have many opportunities and lots of support in doing so, with lots of clubs and low-commitment electives. We have pretty amazing facilities and helpful teachers and staff. Also, our College and Career center is very helpful in learning about paths after HS, and we have lots of resources to pursue that.... Read 294 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,257

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Mountain View, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.16 out of 5  305 reviews

Junior: My experience at Saint Francis was very good. The academics, athletics, campus, religious aspect, and style of the Silicon Valley are what makes this school unique. Academics: the school offers plenty of honors and AP classes, and elective courses geared towards STEM, music, religion, and arts which are taught by nice and approachable teachers. Athletics: highly competitive sports led by very experienced coaches. For boys sports they are in the upper edge in WCAL division, rivaling BCP and AMHS, and girls are consistently extremely good, if not, the best. Campus: new and well maintained classrooms and athletic facilities, a high school that feels like a junior college. Religion: a Catholic school rooted in Holy Cross, students learn to bring hope, respect others, inspire integrity, and celebrate family. The student and faculty bodies are predominantly white but the school has welcomed and encouraged diversity through affinity groups (BSU, Fil-Am, Latinx, and Pride to name a few).... Read 305 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,755

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Fremont Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.74 out of 5  476 reviews

Parent: Homestead High School is excellent in terms of academics and extracurricular activities. Students fair well in all the fields and stand first when it comes to a dedication in general. Staff efforts are much appreciated in general and children excel well and in general, it is an excellent school and facilities provided are extraordinary. Homestead is a school that always follows unity in diversity and children study from all walks of life. Clubs and other activities conducted at school premises and also sports play an important role at school and lots of competitions are conducted and students are benefitted through this type of friendly competition. Students here get into prestigious universities and are placed in a recognized company and get a good carrier opportunity throughout the US and other countries. Our kid had a good experience and is a happy Graduate, Graduating from HOMESTEAD soon. Thank You!... Read 476 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,379

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Fremont Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  496 reviews

Sophomore: I appreciate how we are given brunch and lunch for free, which is very important for all students to be given the opportunity to learn on a full stomach. Additionally, our school provides many resources and provides a competitive culture that keeps students engaged. The community among students is very helpful and friendly. Overall, my experience is positive and I can't imagine being a student anywhere else!... Read 496 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,198

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• San Jose, CA•

• Public School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  186 reviews

Senior: UPA has been an excellent learning environment throughout my 5 years as a student. The small class sizes allows for teachers, counsellors and staff to truly connect with students and accommodate their needs. Readily available office hours and quick turn around time for emails has helped me reach out to teachers whenever I needed help in their class. In terms of student life, UPA has a strong sense of community on campus. Most events are inclusive to all grades and many electives have a diverse range of grade levels in them. Programs such as Web and Link, as well as clubs, make UPA an environment that balances both school and personal interests. As someone involved in multiple clubs (President of Girl Up!, PR manager of both Film Club and Acts of Random Kindness club), I can vouch that UPA truly allows students to run their organizations. UPA's Theater Department, although low in funding, harbors immense talent and dedication, in which I've seen in my experience as a stage manager... Read 186 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 702

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• San Jose, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.3 out of 5  188 reviews

Junior: Archbishop Mitty's overall culture is phenomenal. Mitty is a very spirited and close knit community which provides a safe learning environment for the students. The faculty are approachable and supportive. Mitty offers many clubs and has an excellent sports program! I feel that Archbishop Mitty is a very diverse, well rounded school with many opportunities for all students academically and socially.... Read 188 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,768

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Fremont Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.42 out of 5  409 reviews

Sophomore: It is an overall fun school with many joyful people and teachers! The teachers remain calm and keep us safe even when times of emergency and evacuation. The school emails keep me on date with all the current events and school festivals. There are a variety of clubs, and the people that I've met so far are very nice and willing to help out whenever. Most of the teachers don't give me a frustrating feeling every time I enter the classroom since they always know how to cheer things up, and some even talk to the class like friends! Making the class more enjoyable. However, certain subjects that you take might not have a good grade due to different teachers' grading styles, and if you are compatible with their style of teaching. If you are not compatible and are slowly declining in terms of grade, you may drop out and not receive any credits and count that time period as a trial period before you decide whether you want to drop or not. The school lunch is ok since it's free for me.... Read 409 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,032

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• San Jose, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  303 reviews

Junior: It is a school that has all kinds of students from different backgrounds, which in turn, diversifies the school. In my previous school, there was only one main race, with the exception of only 1-2 other races. The environment is also very welcoming and friendly, which can be found in teachers and students. Most importantly, the school is well rounded. They offer sports, athletics, arts, and science programs for those that are passionate in the fields. For some, this school is like a second home to them. Overall, if you are considering a well rounded school, this school should be at least in the top 5.... Read 303 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,625

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Palo Alto, CA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.41 out of 5  44 reviews

Parent: With two middle schoolers who started in the Nursery program (pre pre-k), we have experienced the entire program at International. Our children have received a top-notch education and are natively fluent in French to the point that they had no problem attending French public school when we lived abroad. The language immersion is excellent and the school has adapted teaching methods over the years, particularly in math and then moving into the IB program. The school has a vibrant community and highly-engaged parents who support each other and the school, from classroom help to fundraising efforts. There have been times when we were mildly frustrated with obtuse communication from the administration, but we never questioned the quality of care of the teacher. Their focus is on the whole student and creating thoughtful world citizens. They also focus on creativity and arts, as evidenced by the impressive annual Arts Night created by the kids. You can't go wrong with SV International!... Read 44 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 675

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• San Jose Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.47 out of 5  331 reviews

Junior: I like the different number of courses offered at Leland Highschool, allowing students to explore various fields. However, Leland has a very academically focused environment that can sometimes be intimidating and harmful to ones well being both mentally and emotionally. I would also love to see is counselors actively reaching out to their grade-level students individually on top of a come-and-go type of thing. This could be achieved if there was a blast announcement for different last names to come into the office and get an introductory look into the different offers counselors have. One thing that can be improved upon is allowing students the option to take 2 classes in one subject area (such as science) instead of limiting it only to 1 since this limited the different experiences the student would like to learn more about.... Read 331 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,776

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Sunnyvale, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  124 reviews

Sophomore: The King’s Academy is a Christ-centered school that motivates students to work hard for the glory of God. The administration and staff work tremendously hard to teach an engaging curriculum. If you’re worried about your child’s safety, don’t be, because they’re in good hands as this school is a loving family that supports one another. The diversity of the students attending is excellent, which is always important in acknowledging and supporting other people’s background, in addition to making long-lasting friendships. The school provides a wide spectrum of different classes that may interest the child as they develop the future ahead of them. Overall, sending your child to his school will beneficially boost their future and their relationship with God. Not a doubt, the best experience a child can have is found here!... Read 124 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 954

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  261 reviews

Senior: Overall, LGHS is a very good school, one of the best public schools in the county. What stood out to me the most about LGHS during my time here were the quality of its academics and teachers. LGHS offers many high-level and challenging courses such as AP Calc BC, AP Chem, AP Bio, etc. Furthermore, the majority of the teachers I have had have been very passionate about the subjects they teach. Unfortunately, there are higher rates of drug use at LGHS. Additionally, the academic distribution among students is more black and white compared to most other schools. By this, I mean that we have many students who perform excellently in their academics, and many who perform quite poorly, yet there are less that fall in between.... Read 261 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,168

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1