2024 Best Schools in Palo Alto

• Palo Alto, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.43 out of 5  61 reviews

Alum: In the beginning, I felt quite alienated due to entering the school as a "new nine," but once I began stepping out of my comfort zone and attempting to make friends, all students wholeheartedly embraced me. Every day I am amazed at how committed my peers are to their own education, and unlike most other secondary schools, every student here comes to school with a genuine desire to learn and grow. They are dedicated to their academics and extracurriculars but also know how to have fun and relax at the same time, which nurtures a healthy learning environment. Likewise, the teachers actually care about both their students' understanding of the material and their wellbeings. They are flexible and willing to accommodate their students while also being able to adjust course schedules accordingly, which is an extremely admirable trait. I personally have really really appreciated my time spent at Castilleja School and wouldn't have wanted to spend my four years of high school anywhere else.... Read 61 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 416

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Atherton, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.14 out of 5  84 reviews

Alum: Menlo School definitely encouraged students to start learning how to be independent. One of the most useful things I learned was how to communicate with my teachers/professors instead of depending on my parents to do it all for me. This sense of communication led to my teachers being understanding and supportive, no matter the situation. The lunch scene is pretty good. The main entree, so to say, was served right onto a plate, where each student could ask for what they specifically wanted. There were vegetarian options, although students did always ask for more variety. Pizza, soup, a sandwich bar, and a salad bar were also available. The drinks options were pretty healthy, with juice, milk, and water ready. But most importantly, for the students, of course, there were almost always dessert options. In terms of education, Menlo went above and beyond. As an alum, going into college was scary but I soon realized I was more than prepared for the workload and the work itself.... Read 84 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 796

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• San Jose, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.31 out of 5  169 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 169 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,982

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Mountain View, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.83 out of 5  30 reviews

Parent: I had two kids at KLS for more than 6 years. We love the focus on mastery-based learning, the great teacher-student ratio, its focused, highly collaborative learning environment and the dual enrollment option with Foothill. We loved the small school environment and the parent-staff community: As parents, the admin staff was always open to hear concerns, feedback and improvements happened fast and without major admin headache. Your child will learn to become a self-directed learner and teacher to other kids while challenging themselves. It's a wonderful experience and having sent my kids to college, I am very happy to see how well they have adapted and thrive in an academically challenging environment.... Read 30 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 294

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Portola Valley, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  74 reviews

Senior: Very diverse school. Teaches Benedictine values. Enforce balance. The school has many clubs with different interests and very supportive teachers and staff. Academically strong school that offers interesting and challenging classes for everyone - overall I had a great experience and I am well prepared for higher education as school gave a good knowledge foundation and prepared me well.... Read 74 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 426

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Atherton, CA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.51 out of 5  106 reviews

Senior: This is a great school with a booming community. Everyone here is so welcoming and contributed to the tight-knit community while everyone explores their interests, hobbies, and passions with the many many opportunities here whether it be the arts, sciences, robotics, politics, and much more.... Read 106 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 639

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• San Jose, CA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  118 reviews

Parent: BISV is a splendid educational haven for my kids, offering a warm, engaging environment enhanced by skilled teachers and diverse activities like the World Festival, School Carnival, and Spirit Week. The standout feature is its STEM curriculum, arguably the Bay Area's best. The school maintains a strong academic emphasis, effectively reducing distractions. This focus offers parents peace of mind and allows students to concentrate on their learning. The effectiveness of BISV's methods is seen in their graduates' success, with many joining prestigious colleges like Stanford, Yale, MIT, Berkeley, and Harvard. Above all, witnessing my kids grow as happy, involved learners in this supportive setting has been the greatest reward. It's a place where kids not only learn but also relish the process. As a parent, I couldn't ask for more.... Read 118 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,190

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Palo Alto Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.84 out of 5  331 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 331 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,868

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Los Altos Hills, CA•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.17 out of 5  30 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 30 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 612

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Palo Alto Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  349 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 349 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,010

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Palo Alto, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.23 out of 5  31 reviews

Parent: I am a parent of both an alum and a current sophomore at Kehillah. Observing both kids’ unique experiences, I can say with confidence that Kehillah is an extremely special place. It’s truly an oasis within the high stress environment of Silicon Valley, but the academics are also excellent! The teachers actually love their jobs and it comes through. Each student is known and accepted, even cherished for who they are, regardless of race, religion, or any other identifier (We were originally concerned about “fitting in” to a Jewish school, but those fears quickly dissipated). We are so happy to have stumbled across this little known gem!... Read 31 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 189

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• San Jose, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.55 out of 5  220 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 220 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,667

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Palo Alto, CA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.44 out of 5  50 reviews

Works Here: This school is a jewel. It's a bilingual, inquiry-based International Baccalaureate school from Preschool to high school. The teachers are talented and dedicated, teaching through their bilingual and IB curriculum - French, Mandarin, and German. Aside from the nurturing environment for the little ones and the rigorous academics from elementary to high school -- it's a wonderful community. It's truly international, with families and faculty/staff from across the globe. It's not unusual to hear different languages being spoken in the hallways. There is a sense of collaboration, and above all -- a dedication to students. They have a robust student services team to help children post-COVID, and incorporate a focus on the whole child and their wellbeing. If you're thinking about providing your child with a leg up for their future (college, etc.) and also want them to be culturally agile and happy individuals, this is the school for your kid(s).... Read 50 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 711

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• San Jose, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  264 reviews

Junior: The Notre Dame environment has been welcoming and inclusive from the start. The teachers and staff truly care about the students, and everyone is so supportive. Some teachers have had an especially positive impact on me and my education, and I've met some wonderful people through extracurriculars and clubs. I truly appreciate the variety of ethnic groups and leadership programs, as well as the variety of classes that are open to us. One thing I'd like to see change, however, is more initial information about the college application process. It would be great to have more of a heads-up as to what students might want to start doing earlier rather than later in regards to applying to college. Overall, Notre Dame is an amazing school with great students and staff, and I look forward to going to school every day!... Read 264 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 655

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

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

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  338 reviews

Senior: I am currently a senior in high school, and overall my experience in high school has been really great! The school provides students with incredible opportunities in STEM (robotics, and Advanced Science Investigation (basically an independent research class)). The arts and journalism programs are also very talented and I'm happy to say I've been a part of all of these things. This school helps prepare students for the future. Additionally, there are many classes to help students who don't have English as their native language and who have learning disabilities which are very helpful. Some things that make LAHS rough are the competitive environment (which is pretty much ubiquitous throughout the Bay Area high schools) and some of the administration. The competitive environment, while it does kind of help motivate you to push your limits, is very tiring. I also heard complaints about some students coming to admin with issues that they don't resolve or ignore. Overall, the LAHS is great!... Read 338 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,136

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• 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

• San Jose, CA•

• Public School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  188 reviews

Alum: University Preparatory Academy charter has help to truly develop me into becoming a young adult. I loved the support that I had throughout all my years at UPA, even thought the pandemic teachers were there looking out for our educational well being and even mental well being. I loved the push for community and friendship that i had developed with other students from UPA of all grades. One thing I would like to see change in UPA, is the flexibility of teachers, it seemed as though most teachers had too much to handle with having to teach serval different subject and yet then some even coach sports, and didn't have time to help students and sometimes office hours would be closed.... Read 188 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 716

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Mountain View, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.15 out of 5  310 reviews

Alum: Attending Saint Francis filled my high school years with opportunity. A good selection of classes allowed me to challenge myself and pursue my interests in a variety of scientific fields. Most of my teachers were very helpful and I felt cared for and supported as a student. I did have two that were quite unresponsive over COVID however which was difficult. Saint Francis is very strong athletically as well, which improved my experience as a track and field athlete. I believe this contributes to school spirit as a whole, since many students participate in football games and spirit weeks which is always very fun! Some of my best high school memories have been from these events along with my time spent with my team. The counseling department could use some work, since I did not feel entirely supported by my assigned counselors. Many kids at this school have private tutors, so that could be the reason. Overall, I had a good time at this school and would recommend it to others.... Read 310 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,776

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Palo Alto, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  23 reviews

Parent: After two years of horrible public school experiences (bullying and lack of support from the school), we found Living Wisdom School. From the minute we met the staff we were convinced this was the school for our daughter. They approach each student with care, support, and kindness. We saw our daughter blossom under their care and grow in ways that brought tears of joy. In fact, I cried at every Parent-Teacher conference because the feedback they provided to us reflected how well they knew our daughter--something that didn't happen in the two previous years of high school. I can't recommend this school highly enough. I can't even imagine where we would be today if we didn't have the opportunity to enroll our daughter in this school. Our daughter graduated from Living Wisdom as a whole person -- confident, compassionate, mindful, and ready to take on college!... Read 23 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 88

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Santa Clara Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.36 out of 5  14 reviews

Junior: Based off public middle and elementary schools I’ve been to, I feel like Mission Early college high school has my goals in mind and check up on my progress weekly! I also feel more in touch with reality because of how mature many of my college classmates are. The only bad part of this high school is that we have more of a college experience than high school. And by this I mean I get to know what college life is but not know what it’s like to be a part of a sports team, or attend prom and homecoming.I wish it was easier for us to attend other highschool’s dances and clubs without being enrolled there.... Read 14 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 146

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Palo Alto Unified School District, CA•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3.43 out of 5  7 reviews

Niche User: Learning Targets and Evidence Based grading have changed the world. Can't wait to see it all on Schoology.... Read 7 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 996

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Palo Alto Unified School District, CA•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3.33 out of 5  9 reviews

Parent: We recently moved into the district and both the kids started at Fletcher. It is a breath of fresh air! Teachers are caring, committed to the students' success and take accountability for making them high school ready. The afterschool sports choices could be more and better organized.... Read 9 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 506

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Palo Alto Unified School District, CA•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 3.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Alum: 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 reports opened me to fascinating books and genres I wouldn't have initially read.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 378

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Palo Alto Unified School District, CA•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 356

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Mountain View, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  9 reviews

Parent: The Waldorf School of the Peninsula is simply fantastic! My child's growth and development have been incredible since joining this school. The teachers are so dedicated and caring, creating a warm and supportive environment. I love how they emphasize creativity and hands-on learning. It's been a well-rounded and enriching experience for my child. I highly recommend the Waldorf School of the Peninsula to any parent seeking a nurturing and engaging educational journey for their kid.... Read 9 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 142

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1