2024 Best Schools with Gifted and Talented Programs in the San Francisco Bay Area

• Pleasanton Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.07 out of 5  557 reviews

Freshman: I love my school! It's a very fun environment to study in and the teachers are great. They teach very well and have very good knowledge of their subjects (as they should!). The students are very kind and we are constantly reminded to be good students (no smoking, drinking, bullying, etc). I've heard that some of the world language teachers aren't great at teaching, however, I haven't had that experience so far. The rivalry it has with Foothill is very friendly and enjoyable. (A lot of my friends go to Foothill, so we like to teach each other every now and then.) It would be nice if the clubs would do a better job at advertising themselves so that I can find out how to sign up for them if I'm interested.... Read 557 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,699

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• 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

• Pleasanton Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.85 out of 5  423 reviews

Freshman: Foothill high school is in the Pleasanton Unified School district which is well off economically. The school receives large amounts of funding that is used to run over 50 clubs, Tens of various electives ranging from government to aerospace engineering, providing free lunches every day in addition to the variety of tools used for education. For example the multiple 3D printers utilized by STEM classes. A newer computer lab with Mac PC's. Foothill is an enjoyable high school experience. Most teachers here have graduated from good credited schools and are pleasant. The worst part of my time here would most likely be navigating a confusing campus with inconvenient locations.... Read 423 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,202

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• San Mateo Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.99 out of 5  288 reviews

Alum: At Aragon High School, academics are a pretty big part of the environment. While athletics and the arts are also given a lot of attention, most students are focused on academics. The best part of my experience was the teachers I got to learn from. Some notable teachers are Heather Sadlon, Aaron Apperson, Steve Ratto, and Wiley Clothier. High school is a challenging time for most students and Aragon has some great student services in the wellness center and also in the college and career centers. At Aragon, I felt pretty included and never had a problem with bullying.... Read 288 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,757

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• San Mateo Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  280 reviews

Senior: Mills High School is a good school if you're looking for academics. If you're looking for a big and giant campus with kids everywhere you may want to look somewhere else. All of the food in this district is pretty average/bad. Personally, I'd just bring your own lunch if you want to have good eats. The people are friendly and there's a lot of activities to participate in if you enjoy that stuff! Going back to the academic side of things, there are about 15-20 APs available at this school and most of the teachers are good. Some are less engaging than others but for the most part, they will teach. This is an Asian dominated school if you are wondering about the demographics. I would say that this school is quite competitive but at times the school does get bland.... Read 280 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,156

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• San Jose, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  308 reviews

Junior: The first thing you notice when you arrive on Valley’s beautiful campus is the awesome hilltop view it has of San Jose and beyond. The glass walls of the student life center face the busy quad, which is the heart of campus. The staff here genuinely care about your well-being, and the counselor’s office rooms even have golden retrievers to relieve stress. All the textbooks you need are online, so you won’t have to deal with lugging heavy backpacks around campus. The teachers don’t assign busy work and try to make the learning meaningful in some way. Homework is even less of a problem at valley because we use an alternating block schedule. On A days you have 4 of your classes, and on B days you have your other 4 classes. Students who only have 7 classes get a free period in the morning; most students use this time to sleep in, as you don’t have to be on campus during this free period. Valley is a fun school with a ton of opportunities to excel in academics and extracurriculars.... Read 308 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,625

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Piedmont City Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  95 reviews

Senior: I loved Piedmont High School! I loved all of my teachers, learned so many things, participated in many sports and activities, and I feel ready going to college next year.... Read 95 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 814

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• San Mateo Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.85 out of 5  247 reviews

Senior: I am half American and half Brazilian; I came to Burlingame High School knowing basic English and I left speaking fluently. BHS does not have a dELD program like the one in San Mateo High School, but they have an amazing group of positive and empathetic teachers and staff that pushes you to become your best self and overcome your barriers. The school offers a lot of resources for you to succeed, from wellness counselors to tutors, and also access to a library and online database. They offer everything you need, now it is your choice to take it!... Read 247 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,530

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Alameda Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  82 reviews

Sophomore: My experience at Alameda Science and Technology Institute has been highly positive and rewarding, providing me with a well-rounded education and a supportive community of students, teachers, and staff. Fortunately, there are no worst parts of my experience, but one big thing I would like to see, is making the school bigger, so we can potentially create a sports team, rather than trying out for Encinal High school or Alameda High school.... Read 82 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 168

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• San Mateo Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  267 reviews

Senior: While the school I attended had strong academics and a supportive environment, it was unfortunately in poor condition both visually and in terms of infrastructure. This was particularly noticeable in some of the older buildings on campus, which had visible signs of disrepair and seemed to be in need of renovations or upgrades. Despite this, the school did its best to provide a high-quality education to its students, and I was able to receive a solid foundation in my field of study. However, it was also clear that many of the students at the school were there primarily for the purpose of earning college credits, rather than truly engaging with the material and seeking a deeper understanding. This seemed to create a somewhat superficial atmosphere on campus, as students were more focused on achieving good grades and meeting requirements than on truly immersing themselves in their studies and pursuing their passions.... Read 267 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,669

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• San Ramon Valley Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  731 reviews

Junior: My experience has been nothing short of exceptional. The academic environment at the school is known for its competitiveness and challenge, fostering an atmosphere that pushes students to reach their full potential. The rigorous curriculum and high academic standards have undoubtedly prepared me well for future endeavors. What sets us apart is the incredible sense of community and support among students and faculty. There is a palpable camaraderie among students, creating a supportive network where mutual growth thrive is combined with the unwavering dedication of the faculty members that go above and beyond to ensure that every student receives the support they need to excel. From personalized attention in the classroom to after-school office hours, the teachers are willing to provide guidance and assistance. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a dynamic and nurturing educational environment, where both academic success and the well-being of students are prioritized.... Read 731 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,340

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• Woodside, CA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 4.2 out of 5  5 reviews

Middle School Student: Great Teachers! Smart and competitive students. My main critique is about diversity, the school works hard on it but it is really not possible. Also if you are not very left-wing you will be destroyed by unsupportive peers and some teachers. There is literally borderline propaganda on the walls that includes fighting against those who think differently, defunding government organizations, and fighting the government. Some are supportive but if you don't think like others don't say anything.... Read 5 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 365

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• San Ramon Valley Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  313 reviews

Senior: I loved my time at Monte Vista! The teachers were amazing, and always ready to help, and the clubs and activities made every day exciting. The challenging classes got me ready for college. The workload was tough for some, and it wouldn't hurt to have better counseling services. Also, a bit more communication from the administration would be nice. Despite that, the sense of community and the overall positive vibe at Monte Vista made it an awesome place to learn and grow!... Read 313 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,305

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Berkeley Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  546 reviews

Junior: Berkeley High School is a wonderful institution. One can easily find community within the school, get access to several classes and electives, and it is in a great location. Berkeley High holds over 3,000 students and we are all really diverse. Not only racially, but individually we all present differently and that brings a unique touch to our school. Because the school has so many students, we get a lot of choices for electives, which is fantastic and helpful for students who want a more personal and individualized academic experience that will benefit them in college. Berkeley is a college town and there are many cute shops and restaurants near Berkeley High's campus, due to its proximity to UC Berkeley. It's as if you are attending college, just with less responsibilities! I love Berkeley High School.... Read 546 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,222

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Dublin Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  474 reviews

Junior: Dublin High School is an extremely safe school, with great students who are open to support you at any time. The school itself is located in a good part of town, and it is a safe campus. The curriculum of most classes is rigorous and adequately prepares you, but certain advanced classes have terrible teachers with low exam pass rates, such as certain AP classes. Most staff at school care little about students and will do the bare minimum to ensure their job. In comparison to other schools I have been in, the teachers here generally don't care about a student's academic excellence. The student board and school board are also terrible, making few decisions to actually improve the student experience, and instead spending money on unnecessary products, such as spending thousands on homecoming concerts when students don't have enough textbooks for their classes and are forced to share. However, the students here make up for its cons, and their accepting and encouraging nature is amazing.... Read 474 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,370

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• West Contra Costa Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.59 out of 5  188 reviews

Senior: Ever since the 6th grade, upon hearing about Middle College High School, some part of me knew that I wanted to attend the school. Once I was in the 8th grade, my middle school was nearby, and my counselor told me more about Middle College, so I decided to apply. Applying was one of the best decisions I made, as I was able to get first-hand experience taking college classes while earning credits towards an Associate's degree while simultaneously getting my high school diploma. All the staff works towards and ensures the students success at and beyond the school. At the same time, always offering different resources ensures that once a student graduates, there will be success in the path they choose.... Read 188 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 294

• Student-teacher ratio 29:1

• Piedmont City Unified School District, CA•

• K-5

• grade A+

• Students 261

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Piedmont City Unified School District, CA•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: Our oldest daughter started as a kinder at Beach in August and every day when she gets home she'd a share how her day was with a glean and excitement in her expressions. While they have "homework" (lite practice worksheets and fun arts/crafts), she likes doing them so much that she'd remind us of what her assignment is that she needs to work on before evening TV time. Her teacher Ms. Mayer has been awesome and her weekly email updates provide great insights to what they are working on in class and ways for parents to engage their kids in (again) fun ways. We can't wait for our preschooler to join Beach next year!... Read 1 review

• grade A+

• Students 264

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• San Mateo Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.84 out of 5  303 reviews

Senior: As a student who has experienced Hillsdale High School firsthand, I've come to genuinely appreciate it. The school's strong foundation has contributed to its positive reputation. What sets Hillsdale apart is the sense of community and camaraderie that exists within its halls. The school fosters an inclusive environment where students can connect with others and engage in various activities. One aspect that has enriched my time at Hillsdale High is the opportunity to be part of different clubs and groups. These extracurricular activities have allowed me to explore my interests, make new friends, and develop skills beyond the academic curriculum. Hillsdale High School's supportive foundation and the presence of diverse student groups have certainly made my educational journey all the more fulfilling.... Read 303 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,647

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Alameda Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  427 reviews

Alum: Fantastic college prep, multiple workshops offered. The college and career counseling is definitely top notch. Lots of individualized attention if you ask for it. However the school district as a whole is not fantastic about disability accommodation, and the administration has a history of protecting students who bully or hurt other students.... Read 427 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,808

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Pleasanton Unified School District, CA•

• K-5

• grade A+

• Students 584

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• San Ramon Valley Unified School District, CA•

• PK, K-5

• grade A+

• Students 528

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Pleasanton Unified School District, CA•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  10 reviews

Middle School Student: Just amazing. Teachers are nice. Library is beautiful dn new. School is great!!! There are plenty of extracurricular activities and lots of fun activities, zooms, get-togethers, and more! The academics is perfect, not too much and not to less. Everyone is really nice and encouraging.... Read 10 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,127

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• San Ramon Valley Unified School District, CA•

• K-5

• grade A+

• Students 447

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• San Ramon Valley Unified School District, CA•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 3 out of 5  1 review

• grade A+

• Students 666

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1