Top Rankings
Palo Alto Unified School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in California for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 5%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 5%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 5%)
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 5%)
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 5%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
Student Attention
Lowest student:teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 4 public middle schools serving 2,354 students in Palo Alto Unified School District. This district's average middle testing ranking is 10/10, which is in the top 1% of public middle schools in California.
Public Middle Schools in Palo Alto Unified School District have an average math proficiency score of 76% (versus the California public middle school average of 31%), and reading proficiency score of 83% (versus the 46% statewide average).
The top ranked public middle schools in Palo Alto Unified School District are Ellen Fletcher Middle School, Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle School and Frank S. Greene Jr. Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking. Minority enrollment is 73% of the student body (majority Asian), which is less than the California public middle school average of 78% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
20 Schools
3,501 Schools
# Students
10,254 Students
1,854,363 Students
# Teachers
600 Teachers
87,821 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
17:1
17:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Palo Alto Unified School District, which is ranked #27 of all 1,925 school districts in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 96% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#28 out of 1941 school districts
(Top 5%)
(Top 5%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
78%
33%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
82%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
72%
29%
Graduation Rate
96%
87%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.72
0.64
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
41%
11%
% Hispanic
16%
55%
% Black
2%
5%
% White
29%
22%
% Hawaiian
1%
n/a
% Two or more races
11%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $28,183 is higher than the state median of $19,974. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $30,120 is higher than the state median of $18,396. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$289 MM
$116,387 MM
Spending
$309 MM
$107,188 MM
Revenue / Student
$28,183
$19,974
Spending / Student
$30,120
$18,396
Best Palo Alto Unified School District Public Middle Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Ellen Fletcher Middle School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
655 Arastradero Rd.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 856-9810
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 856-9810
Grades: 6-8
| 549 students
Rank: #22.
Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
480 East Meadow Dr.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 856-5188
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 856-5188
Grades: 6-8
| 1,025 students
Rank: #33.
Frank S. Greene Jr. Middle School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
750 North California Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(408) 494-8120
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(408) 494-8120
Grades: 6-8
| 760 students
Rank: n/an/a
725 Welch Rd.
Palo Alto, CA 94304
(650) 497-8230
Palo Alto, CA 94304
(650) 497-8230
Grades: K-12
| 20 students
Recent Articles
Segregation in K-12 Education: Colonial Era
Explore the origins of educational segregation during the colonial era and the differential treatment of Native American, African American, and white students. This article delves into the historical context, policies, and societal attitudes that shaped early education in colonial America, highlighting the disparities and injustices that persisted within the schooling systems of that time.
2011 Classroom Size Update: Are Classes Still Growing Larger?
Since the recession, public school classrooms have seen major budget cuts - and many increases in class sizes. How is the situation in 2011? Read this article to find out.
Will Single Sex Classrooms Save Public Schools?
Learn about the benefits of single sex classrooms and why public schools are hoping this type of classroom will save the American school system.
