2023 Best Schools in Stanford

• Palo Alto, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.39 out of 5  57 reviews

Senior: I am currently a senior at Castilleja, and I would never choose to attend another high school. When I first came, I was a little nervous as I had heard of Casti's reputation as rigorous and competitive. After four years, I have found that the academic rigor has only improved my experience and has never lead to competition between classmates. With sixty girls in one grade, it would seem that competition would be prevalent, especially during the college process. However, the community is one of care, and everyone at the school aims only to celebrate your achievements and encourage you to put forth your best work. Every single one of my classmates will become amazing women when they grow up, and Castilleja has been instrumental in developing our confidence, poise, ability to express ourselves, and compassion for others. Thank you Castilleja! My life is forever changed and I will bring the lessons you have taught me throughout the rest of my life.... Read 57 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 416

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• San Jose, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.36 out of 5  163 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 163 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,972

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Atherton, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  78 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 78 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 795

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• San Jose, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.84 out of 5  97 reviews

Parent: We are a first year family and we are so glad that we joined Basis SV. Our daughter is in middle school and even after just one year we have seen her grow into a more strong, confident, out-going, responsible, and engaged individual. The teachers excite her and make her ask questions and work hard. Her friends make her happy to go to school each day. The extracurriculars have been a new experience for her and we are so grateful the school has almost 75 offerings! She signed up and tried out for things we never thought she would all because a teacher encouraged her or her friends wanted her to join. I do wish the school had more outside space, and that was something as parents we were hesitant about, but every day when I pick up my daughter she can't stop telling me about her day - and never once has she mentioned missing a playground. We are very happy with our choice and look forward to seeing how she grows at this school.... Read 97 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  324 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 324 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,936

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Portola Valley, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.04 out of 5  72 reviews

Alum: Work Culture: Priory emphasizes balance. The people within this community care about your wellbeing and are more focused on creating great people than producing more robots who fuel Silicon Valley's toxic work culture. But, don't get me wrong, kids still care about academics a lot. For example, in one class, around fifteen kids got into ivy league schools and six kids got into Stanford. Social Life: Your social life is determined by who you hang out with and the general attitude of your class. Luckily, there were a lot of people in my class who loved to host parties or knew kids from other schools who were throwing parties. During my senior year, there were stretches where my friends and I were going to a party every weekend for eight weeks straight. Dating: Dating at Priory is pretty normal, but due to the small class sizes, it's pretty hard to keep your business private. Sports: Basketball, XC, and Girls Soccer are the strongest programs. Campus: Best in NorCal easily.... Read 72 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 426

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Palo Alto Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  345 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 345 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,085

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Mountain View, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  26 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 26 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

• 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 1,180

• 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

• Mountain View, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.16 out of 5  303 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 303 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,755

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• San Jose, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.31 out of 5  186 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 186 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,768

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• 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

• Sunnyvale, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.17 out of 5  121 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 121 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 954

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Sequoia Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  280 reviews

Alum: My experience in high school was alright. Teachers are great and staff is very helpful. However, the lunch area is not adapted for students to eat, we have a lot of students and it would be great to have more indoor seating. Classrooms are well organized but lockers are unpractical due to the row layout of the school. Go M-A Bears!... Read 280 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,368

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Palo Alto Unified School District, CA•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3.63 out of 5  8 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 8 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 562

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• 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 82

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• 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 359

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Palo Alto Unified School District, CA•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 2.83 out of 5  18 reviews

Middle School Student: I am a student at Greene myself , and I love it there! Even though the school campus is pretty small, they have so much things going on every single day! I expecially love band. Our band director is a very nice and interesting person that always gives us good tips and makes the whole class much more fun than others. I always enjoy being in this class and in this school. ( Yet I sometimes wish we had more music competitions like marching band stuff going on more often) So far I have not seen any problems (bullying, violence, etc.) in my school and if there was, our teachers and administrators always helps us in a helpful way. There are also many places you can go to after school with your friends near by, so whenever we have a minimum day at school and we wan't to go somewhere, we wouldn't need to bike somewhere far away to go have fun! I absolutely love this school, yet I believe there could be some improvements on some parts.... Read 18 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 857

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Los Altos, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.71 out of 5  7 reviews

Junior: The unique learning style is great for creative thinking. The school is small so it’s easy to get to know everyone and make friends. It also makes the academics better as the teachers can focus more on each individual. The teachers are amazing and generally fun people to hang out with. WSP’s only downfall was its response to the pandemic. Their learning style promotes hands on and in person work but that just can’t happen in the current climate. As of January, students without a medical reason will not be able to participate in an online option for schooling and must go in to class in person. If one does have a medical reason, they will be given the option to watch streamed classes. This quality of education is poor however. The teachers mostly pay attention to the in person students rather than the kids at home.... Read 7 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 142

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• Palo Alto Unified School District, CA•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 4 out of 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

• grade A+

• Students 438

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Palo Alto Unified School District, CA•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

• grade A+

• Students 352

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Los Altos, CA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  14 reviews

Parent: 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 14 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,093

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Mountain View, CA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.17 out of 5  6 reviews

Parent: Excellent high quality Academic school! 10 years of happiness for my older girl, we came here at age of 3 with no English and German at all and now my girl is one of the best students in her class with native level of English and German. We have a great opportunity to choose any University in Germany as well.... Read 6 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 597

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1